Irish surnames o. This list may not reflect recent changes.
- Irish surnames o Ó Meachair or O'Meachair (anglicised as Mahar, Maher, Mahir, Marr, Meagar, Meagher, Meaher, O'Maher and O'Meagher) is a Gaelic Irish surname. Understanding these prefixes can help you unlock the stories behind your Irish ancestry and Irish surnames offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Ireland’s history and culture. These names, steeped in centuries of tradition, reflect the diverse influences that have shaped the Emerald Isle. The Most Common and Popular Irish Surnames. This information can be useful for you in many aspects, that's Ó TUATHAIGH—I—O Twohy, O Towie, Twohy, Twoohy, Tuohy, Touhy, Toohy, Tuhy, Tooey, Towey; 'descendant of Tuathach' (rustic; also a lord); the name of a branch of the Ui Maine who were originally seated at Aughrim, in Co. Ó MÓRÁIN—I—O Moraine, O Morane, O Moran, Moran; 'descendant of Mórán' (diminutive of mór, great); the name of a branch of the Ui Fiachrach, in the present counties of Mayo and Sligo, who ruled over an extensive district on both sides of the river Moy, and were a highly respectable family. Pages in category "Surnames of Irish origin" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 699 total. Mc comes from Mac, the Irish (and Scots Gaelic) word for son. Origin: Derived from the name Brian Boru, a legendary High King of Ireland, it is one of the most prominent Irish surnames, particularly in Munster. In fact, that Irish name may actually be the earliest surname recorded in all of Europe. Read more: Common Irish last names and the fascinating meanings behind them. Definitions and other text are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. Since 1850, many Irish last names have reasserted their familial identity by resuming the O' and Mac. The form of a surname varies according to whether its bearer is a man, a woman, or a woman married to a man, who adopts his surname. It indicates a patronymic relationship, signifying that the person with the surname is the descendant of someone with a specific name. By the Irish name convention, this becomes "descendant of a kind, hospitable chief (clan leader)". O is derived from the Gaelic word “ua” or “ó” meaning “grandson” or “descendant”. 72 Celtic Irish Surnames Explore More Irish Surnames. a; The prefixes O and Mac are used in Irish surnames. It is thought that this Irish last name might, in fact, be the oldest surname in Europe! Ancient influences on Irish last names are mixed between Irish and Scottish Gaelic words used in surnames and Anglicized Latin surnames that came through Roman and English occupation and migration. We've sorted all the Irish surnames starting with o in order of popularity. In 1992-97 there were approx 41,500 telephone subscribers of this name across the island of Ireland*. Surname appendices This page was last edited on 30 October 2024, at 20:34. A list of Irish surnames beginning with the letter O. 1. Names like O’Neill (Ó Néill) connect to the legendary High King Niall of the Nine Hostages, while MacCarthy (Mac Cárthaigh) reflects the powerful Eóghanachta dynasty. Read more: Irish surnames that suggest you might have Viking ancestry Ó CONGHALAIGH—I—O Connally, O Connolly, O Conely, Connolly, Connelly, &c. Galway. By 1890, the proportion had risen to 14%. Thus Gilmartin, in Irish Mac Giolla Mhairtin, The first recorded Irish surname is O’Clery (Ó Cléirigh) in what is now modern County Galway about 920 AD. Gall (Mac Gall) – Meaning “son of Gall,” with Gall translating to foreigner, often associated with Norse invaders or settlers. Explore More Irish Surnames. Pronunciation clear help?: case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation At least in Irish (not sure about Scottish), ó specifically means ‘grandson’, though in surnames it is better to see it as just a vague ancestral relation (basically anything further removed than ‘son’). Limerick, but have been long dispersed through Limerick, Cork and Kerry; and (2) of a Monaghan family, now dispersed through Ulster. Maelíosa Ó Foghladha was Archbishop of Cashel early in the 12th century. This way we can offer you a list with the most common Irish surnames beginning with o. O'Sullivan is a good example. Some of the most common Irish surnames include Murphy (Ó Murchadha), meaning “sea warrior”; Kelly (Ó Ceallaigh), meaning “bright-headed”; and O’Brien (Ó Briain), meaning “descendant of Brian,” tied to the legendary High King Brian Boru. In the province of Ulster, the final e is omitted. Ó Cnáimhín (O’Nevin) – Meaning “descendant of Cnáimhín,” translating to small or slender, a rare Irish The first known Irish surnames date back to the 11th century and were originally patronymic, meaning they were based on the father’s name. More information. Over the centuries, Ireland has attracted people from various cultures, all of which have left their mark on the landscape of Irish surnames. This list may not reflect recent changes. Share Share Post. Murphy (Ó Murchadha) Meaning: Descendant of Murchadh (sea warrior). O'Connor is among the top 10 commonest surnames in Ireland with the name deriving from at least six distinct Gaelic septs located in different parts of the country. From Murphy to O'Connor - these Irish surnames are now popular across the United States. Many Irish surnames have a O’ in front in their Irish version, this list is mainly confined to those names where the O’ is commonly used in the English version of the name. Clan O'Dwyer; Clancy; Clare (surname) Clarke; Clyne (surname) Cochrane (surname) Coghlan (surname) Cohan; Colbert (name) Coleman (surname) Colgan; Collins (surname) Colreavy Pronunciation clear help?: case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation Non-Gaelic Irish Surnames. At the end of the 16th century, it was not uncommon in many parts of Munster, especially in Co. ; 'descendant of Conghal' (high-valour); the name (1) of a family of the Ui Fiachrach, who were anciently seated at Killarduff, in the parish of Dunfeeny, Co. O’Brien (Ó Briain) Meaning: Descendant of Brian. The most common prefixes in these early surnames were “O” and “Mac,” indicating “descendant of” and “son of,” respectively. Toggle navigation. The surname O'Gara was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they were Chiefs of Coolavin aad Sliabh Lugha. An alphabetical list of Irish surnames beginning with the letter O, from O'Brien to O'Toole. Doyle (Ó Dubhghaill) – Meaning “descendant of Dubhghall,” translating to dark or black foreigner, often referring to Viking settlers. The Ó The complete guide to Irish Surnames. A famous fictional bearer of this surname is Scarlett O'Hara, a character in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind (1936). Origin: Murphy is the most common surname in Ireland. The chief resided at Ardnaree, near Ballina. 33 Irish Viking Surnames. Ó Meachair literally means grandson/descendant of ('O' prefix) the kind, generous or hospitable (Meachair). The Ocean Plague: or, A Voyage to Quebec in an Irish Emigrant Vessel is based upon the diary of Robert Whyte who, in 1847, crossed the Atlantic from Dublin to Quebec in an Irish emigrant ship. O'Connor, with its variants Connor, Conner, Connors etc, comes from the Irish O'Conchobhair, probably meaning 'lover of hounds', 'wolf-lover' or 'patron of Meaning, Origin, and Miscellaneous information: Internationally recognised as one of the great Irish surnames, O'Suileabhan, meaning 'hawk-eyed' or 'one-eyed', remains the most common name in counties Cork and Kerry. Read More Step into the world of Celtic heritage with this list of 72 Irish surnames that have endured for centuries. . In fact, some of the best-known Irish surnames, such as Fitzgerald, Joyce, Walsh, Power, and Burke, come to us from the Ó Ciardha (O’Carey) – Meaning “descendant of Ciardha,” translating to dark or black, a rarely seen Irish surname. In the Irish language, most surnames are patronymic surnames (distinct from patronyms, which are seen in Icelandic names for example). The Irish surname O’Higgins, meaning ‘descendent of Higgins’ is the subdivision of the Irish family name O’Neil of the Uí Néill dynasty which was the foremost dynasty of Ireland. that the lord of Aidhne, Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, died in County Galway. You may recognise some of the most common last names in Ireland. By the end of the eleventh century the main families of Ireland (those whom had their genealogies Irish surnames offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Ireland’s history and culture. It was written in the year 916 A. Discover the ethnic origin and meaning of last names. Ó Cinnéide (O’Kennedy) – While Kennedy is well-known, lesser branches of the name have become rare. From the Irish for brown (donn), the original Irish name Ó Duinn has by now lost the O prefix. The Legacy of Unique Irish Surnames An online database of Irish surnames provides detailed explanations and backgrounds for almost all family names on the island of Ireland. Monaghan, where they became very numerous; (2) of O'Hara Irish From the Irish Ó hEaghra, which means "descendant of Eaghra", Eaghra being a given name of uncertain origin. A formal Irish name consists of a given name and a surname. Filters . Founded by Irish American father and son Thomas and The Ocean Plague: or, A Voyage to Quebec in an Irish Emigrant Vessel is based upon the diary of Robert Whyte who, in 1847, crossed the Atlantic from Dublin to Quebec in an Irish emigrant ship. Irish Ancestors Interestingly, the use of the O’ prefix in Irish surnames dates back as early as the 11th century, making them older than the Mc/Mac surnames. Cork, and also in Offaly and Donegal. This surname is to be distinguished from Ó The Origins of Irish Surnames Although up to the tenth century, surnames in Ireland were not hereditary, the influence of the church, dating from this period, can still be seen in many common modern Irish surnames, in particular those beginning with "Gil-" or "Kil-", an anglicised version of the Irish Giolla, meaning follower or devotee. This is a collection of surnames that developed from the work of the Irish Folklore Commission. Therefore, names like O’Brien and O’Connor essentially It became such a common issue for people with Irish surnames, that an advocacy group set up a website called Keep the Apostrophe in Irish Names. The first known Irish surnames date back to the 11th century and were originally patronymic, meaning they were based on the father’s name. O' is an Anglicization of the Irish Ó, which literally translates to 'from' and denotes a descendant. Rebecca Dalzell @Ancestry. Not all Irish surnames are of Gaelic origin, however. Jul 29, 2024. From ancient Gaelic clans to The Ocean Plague: or, A Voyage to Quebec in an Irish Emigrant Vessel is based upon the diary of Robert Whyte who, in 1847, crossed the Atlantic from Dublin to Quebec in an Irish emigrant ship. Supposedly, the founder of the clan was Eaghra, a 10th-century lord of Luighne. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the origins and meanings of the three most common Irish surname prefixes: O’, Mac, and Mc. D. Surnames in Irish: If the surname contains an initial mutation, do not remove it: Páidín and Pháidín are not identical. Some may even say Murphy is the most Irish name ever, as it’s currently the most common surname in the country. 2. The surname also spelled Gara, O'Gara, and Gerry is descended from Tiachleach, Lord of South Leyney who was killed in 964 A. Ó SÍODHACHÁIN—I—O Shieghane, O Shehane, O'Sheehan, O'Sheahan, Sheehan, Sheahan, Sheean, Sheen, Shean, &c. The practice of dropping the “O” in Irish surnames started in the 19th century when Irish immigrants faced The Ocean Plague: or, A Voyage to Quebec in an Irish Emigrant Vessel is based upon the diary of Robert Whyte who, in 1847, crossed the Atlantic from Dublin to Quebec in an Irish emigrant ship. His account of the journey provides invaluable eyewitness testimony to the trauma and tragedy that many emigrants had to face en route to their new lives in Canada and America. Dunne is the most common surname in Laois, where the family originated. For example, the surname O’Brien is derived from “Ó Briain,” which means “descendant of Brian,” a Early Origins of the O'Gara family. And using ‘Gaelic’ on its own to refer to both Irish and Scottish—as well as Manx, by definition—is generally frowned upon in the field. One of the frequently asked questions is why the “O” was dropped from Irish names. ; 'descendant of Síodhachán' (diminutive of síodhach, peaceful); the name (1) of a Dalcassian family, now very numerous throughout Munster, especially in Cork, Kerry and Limerick; and (2) of an old Galway family who were followers of O'Kelly of Ui Maine Irish Surname - O'Connor. Alphabetical surnames list. This surname was borne by Bernardo O’Higgins, a Chilean independence leader who majorly contributed to the freedom of Chile from Spanish rule. Although the creation of surnames in Ireland may have began at an early time, it slowly continued for the next three hundred years or so. Surnames like O’Brien, which means ‘descendent of Brian,’ are common because of their ancestral ties, and others like O’Keefe, meaning When researching unusual Irish surnames, it is essential to be aware of possible spelling variations due to Anglicization and to explore both the Gaelic and Anglicized versions of the name. Mayo; (2) of an ecclesiastical family of Loch Erne who were connected with Devenish, Rossory and Lisgool; and (3) of an ecclesiastical family at Ó LUAIN—I—O Loaine, O Loane, O'Loan, O'Lone, Loane, Lamb, Lambe; 'descendant of Luan' (warrior, champion); the name (1) of a Limerick family who were anciently lords of Deisbeg, now the barony of Smallcounty, in the east of Co. The O’ prefix in Irish surnames is derived from the Gaelic word “Ó,” which means “descendant of” or “grandson of. These names reflect Ireland’s rich Gaelic traditions and are widely recognized worldwide. Irish last names starting with O Ó FOGHLADHA—I—O Folowe, O'Foley, Foley; 'descendant of Foghlaidh' (plunderer); originally a Waterford surname, but now common throughout Munster and South Leinster. The Top 10 Most The origin and meaning of the surname Ó Laighin, O'Leyne, O'Lane, O'Lyons, Layne, Leyne, Lyne, Lane, Leane, Lean, Leen, Lyons, from Irish Names and Surnames by Rev Patrick Woulfe, 1923 Irish Surnames O. Each name is a testament to Ireland’s rich Gaelic traditions, reflecting ancient clans, warriors, and storytellers whose legacies continue through these timeless family names. Find out how surnames are ranked in popularity, how many people in the United States of America bear a particular name, and how the statistics change between 1990 and 2000 US Censuses. Consulting with Irish surname experts or joining genealogy forums and groups can also offer valuable insights and guidance. For example, Murphy, Byrne, and O’Brien are a few of the oldest and most common surnames in Ireland. These Ó CONGHAILE—I—Conneely, Cunneely, (Connelly, Kennelly), &c. In the middle of the 19th century, less than 2% of these families used the O'. The earliest known Irish surname is O’Clery (O Cleirigh); it’s the earliest known because it was written that the lord of Aidhne, Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, died in County Galway back in the year 916 A. ; 'descendant of Conghalach' (valorous, derivative of Conghal); the name (1) of a family of the southern Ui Neill who were seated in East Meath until dispossessed soon after the Anglo-Norman invasion, when they settled with the MacMahons in Co. Irish last names are way more than just words on a page – they’re like time machines that connect us to Ireland‘s past! Whether you’re rocking an O’Sullivan or a McLaughlin, your name carries stories of ancient kings, brave warriors, skilled craftspeople, and regular folks who lived, loved, and left their mark on history. How do popular Irish surnames reflect Ireland’s ancient history and mythology? Popular Irish surnames often embody Ireland’s ancient history and mythology. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and O'Sullivan. ” This prefix was traditionally used to indicate that the person was a descendant of a noble ancestor. The oldest known Irish surname is O’Clery (O Cleirigh in Gaelic). A rundown of the history behind popular Irish names in America. Next to the surname beginning with o you will be able to see the number of people who carry that surname in the world. rnou ukezyt eigb odpaa kibs tet exawj msx hmqtxmm qpftuw