400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Quinlan is an Irish surname name given to a few dozen baby girls in the US each year. With the success of Quinn as a girls' name, Quinlan and its variant spellings Quinlin and Quinlyn might follow behind.

The double 'e' gives this Celtic surname a genial sound. It derives from an old Irish name — Suibhne (SHEEV-ne) that was borne by several early saints and kings, including, unfortunately, one known as Mad Sweeney who spent his life living in trees and composing nature poetry. Another possible drawback is the association with Sweeney Todd, the bloodthirsty butcher of Sondheim stage-musical fame.

Although it looks like an English placename, the surname Crowley is an anglicization of the Irish O Cruadhlaoich. A famous bearer was the occultist Aleister Crowley, and it also appears on characters in Supernatural and The Walking Dead. It has started to get a little use in recent years, as part of the new wave of names ending in -ley.

A stylish sounding last name, similar to Marlowe in sound and Murphy in style, Malone is a gender neutral choice in the US that has leaned just slightly feminine in recent years. Adapted from the Irish surname Ó Maoil Eoin, it means "devotee of St. John".

Right in step with the two-syllable irish surname-names now on the rise.

This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.

Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan. The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience. The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.

One of the jauntiest o' the O' names, the birth name of actor/ rapper Ice Cube.

Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.

An unconventional route to the cool nickname Mac/Mack, Mckenna or McKenna derives from the Gaelic name Cináed (Anglicized as Kenneth), meaning "born of fire".

Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.

These days Finney is most likely a pet form of Finn, but it was once a standard nickname for the biblical Phineas.

Occasionally used in the African-American community to honor Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey, known as "Emperor of the Kingdom of Africa," though his first name is more frequently chosen. Another possible namesake is baseball player Steve Garvey. Garvey sounds more modern than Harvey.

Despite its appearance, McGill is not related to any of the Gil- names, including Gilbert, Gilford, and Gilson. The "gill" piece is derived from the Gaelic word gall, meaning "foreigner." Yet, it could still be used to honor a Gil in your life.

Tegan is a Welsh saint's name. While some may conflate it with the Irish Teagan, they have different roots and meanings though both are used for girls as well as boys. Teagan is the more usual spelling and tips more heavily girlward, though Tegan runs about four to one girls versus boys. Tegan is pronounced with a long e sound in the first syllable, while Teagan can be pronounced either tee-gan or tay-gun.

O'shane is a masculine name that appears to combine the Irish patronymic prefix 'O'' with 'Shane,' a name of Irish origin meaning 'God is gracious' or 'gift from God.' The apostrophe structure is characteristic of Irish family names like O'Brien or O'Connor, where 'O'' historically indicated 'descendant of.' Shane itself derives from the Irish name Seán (John). The combination may have emerged as a distinctive given name in the late 20th century, possibly in Irish diaspora communities or in regions influenced by Irish naming patterns such as the Caribbean, where Irish and English linguistic influences have blended historically. While not among the most common names, O'shane represents an interesting fusion of naming elements that reflects cultural connections and creative naming approaches. The name is typically pronounced 'oh-SHANE.'

Anglicized form of Irish Ó Cearmada, which is reminiscent of other jaunty Irish surnames like Cassidy and Connolly.

Sorley is an anglicization of the Irish name Somhairle, itself derived from the Old Norse Sumarliði, a nickname for a summer traveler (perhaps meaning a viking raider!). It is sometimes used as a boy name in Britain, but very rarely in the US. The similarity to the word "sorely" may put some off, but we still think it makes a jaunty, unusual surname-style option.

The fashion for using surnames as firsts has extended beyond the familiar Morgan and Parker to choices such as Cohen and O'Brien to -- why not? -- this quintessentially Irish name with the friendly o ending.

Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.