400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Connelly is an open, inviting, and rarely used Irish surname that can make a perfect alternative to the overused Connor or Colin for a boy.

Rogan makes a great, roguish alternative for the more popular Logan, Ronan and Rowan. 

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

Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.

New Presidential name, if you're ready to move beyond Lincoln and Jefferson. At the turn of the last century, during the original McKinley's heyday, as a first name it almost reached the Top 100.

An old Irish surname cousin of Tierney that makes an unusual and appealing Irish gender switch.

Ealair is the Gaelic form of Hilary, making McKellar an inventive way to honor a Hilary, Hillary, or Ellery in your life.

This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.

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".

The spoiled only son of the richest family in town in a fifties movie.

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

We'd be leery of this one.

A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.

A likable nickname-name in the Callie, Hallie mode.

This name is a fabulous option for parents looking for a victorious name but who find Victor just a little too obvious. This name can also be spelled Kearney.

A common Irish surname that's seldom heard as a first name, but has an appealing meaning.

A name that has many close, more familiar relatives, like Mira and Myra.

In Cool Names, we cite this as an "Artist Name," for twentieth-century abstract painter Grace Hartigan, though for you it may just be an upbeat Irish surname.

Finnegan has been growing in popularity for boys, thanks to the love for all things Finn-related. It's started to be used occasionally for girls, too.

Fey, for middle name purposes, could be thought of as a fey spelling of Fay. These days, however, Fey would be considered by most people to be honoring comedian Tina.