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400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Hurley

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "sea tide"

    • Description:

      Hurley is a possibility as a unisex surname-name ending with the "lee" sound. It is perhaps most associated with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and is much rarer than Harley, because the "ur" sound is currently out of fashion (and the word "hurl" may put some off).
  2. Reilly

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "courageous"

    • Description:

      This more elaborate but not unfamiliar spelling of Riley feels oddly more feminine. Designer and Beatle daughter Stella McCartney has a daughter named Reilley. Still, Reilly or more common Riley is one name that's remained popular for both boys and girls.
  3. Kiernan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"

    • Description:

      Kiernan Shipka, aka Sally Draper on Mad Men, brings this Irish surname into the girls' column. And, like Kieran and Tierney and Tiernan, it's one of the perfectly unisex baby names. Only 14 girls were named Kiernan in the US in a recent year...and three times as many boys. If you want to move beyond Riley and Kennedy to one of the more unusual surname-based Irish names for girls, this may be a good choice.
  4. Keagan

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Keegan

    • Description:

      While Keegan has been rising in popularity for a number of years, this variant spelling has dropped in the lists.
  5. Duff

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "swarthy"

    • Description:

      This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.
  6. Conley

    • Origin:

      Anglicization of Conleth, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "chaste fire; constant fire"

    • Description:

      Part Constance, part Finley, Conley is a contemporary sounding surname choice that has been used for boys since the early 20th century. An anglicized form of the Irish name Conleth, it began to be used for girls in the late 90s, and a recent year saw it given to around 40 girls and 60 boys.
  7. Doran

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "stranger, exile"

    • Description:

      Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.
  8. Keefe

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "handsome and noble"

    • Description:

      Keefe is an energetic Irish surname occasionally used as a first. Only caveat: Will people think your little Keefe is a Keith with enunciation problems?
  9. Leary

    • Origin:

      Irish, Anglicization of Laoghaire

    • Meaning:

      "herder"

    • Description:

      We'd be leery of this one.
  10. Costello

    • Origin:

      Irish surname

    • Meaning:

      "from England"

    • Description:

      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.
  11. O'donnell

    • Origin:

      irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the brave one"

    • Description:

      Forget Donald. Honor Grandpa Don with this new spin.
  12. O'shea

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "hawklike, stately"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      English from Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "man of peace"

    • Description:

      A distinguished English and Irish surname, probably deriving from the Old Gaelic name Fearsithe, meaning "man of peace". It's also possible that the surname derives from a place name now lost to history, in which case the meaning would be "fairy meadow" or "fairy mound", from Gaelic fer "grass" or for "hill, mound" plus sithe "fairies".
  14. Calihan

    • Description:

      Calihan is a modern masculine name with Irish and Gaelic roots. It likely derives from the surname Callahan (from Irish 'Ó Ceallacháin'), meaning 'descendant of Ceallachán,' where Ceallachán referred to someone who was 'strife-loving' or 'contentious.' As a first name, Calihan represents the growing trend of transforming traditional surnames into given names. With its strong sound and Celtic heritage, Calihan offers a distinctive choice while maintaining a familiar ring. The name remains relatively uncommon, giving it a contemporary feel while honoring Irish ancestry. Parents might be drawn to Calihan for its masculine sound, easy nickname options (Cal or Cali), and its balance of uniqueness and pronounceability.

  15. Lochran

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rushes"

    • Description:

      An uncommon Irish surname name with ties to nature, it would make a more distinctive alternative to the Scottish Lachlio. Lochran is one of those rare Irish baby names for boys not yet known in the US.
  16. Duffy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark"

    • Description:

      This Irish surname packs a lot of attitude, projecting an image of spunk and sass. The Welsh singer Duffy, born Aimee Anne Duffy, is best known for her songs Mercy and Warwick Avenue.
  17. Walsh

    • Description:

      Walsh originated as an Irish and English surname derived from the Old English word 'wælisc,' meaning 'foreigner' or specifically 'Welshman.' It historically identified people of Welsh or Celtic Briton descent living in Anglo-Norman areas. As a given name, Walsh represents the modern trend of adopting surnames as first names, appealing to parents seeking distinctive options with historical connections. The name carries associations with Celtic heritage and conveys a sense of strength and tradition. Though relatively uncommon as a first name, it has gained some traction in recent decades, particularly in families with Irish ancestry who appreciate its cultural significance and simple, strong phonetic quality.
  18. Bolan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little poet"

    • Description:

      An Irish surname name with a combination of boldness and élan. Some might connect it to the founder of the group T. Rex -- Marc Bolan.
  19. Hogan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "youth"

    • Description:

      Logan came from nowhere in the past few decades to break the Top 25, and Hogan is a good bet to follow, now that "Hogan's Heroes" has faded from memory.
  20. Cagney

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "tribute"

    • Description:

      Cagney is one of the spunkiest Irish surnames around, and could make a lively and fresher successor to the tired Casey.

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