400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)
- Malloy
Description:
More obscure Irish surname-name, also spelled Molloy, that's prime for use.
- Mccanna
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"son of the wolf cub"Description:
Gary Sinise chose this Mc name for his late son McCanna, called Mac, in 1990, before Irish and Scottish surnames beginning with Mc or Mac became common as first names. Mac Sinise passed away from a rare form of cancer at the age of 33.
- Lochran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Donnelly
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark, brave one"Description:
Donnelly is among the more appealing Irish surname names, less well used than Donovan. Related options include the place name Donegal and the mythological god name Donegan.
- O'hara
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of Eaghra"Description:
The O'Haras are descended from Eaghra -- pronounced and phonetically spelled Ara -- the lord of Luighne, the modern Leyney in County Sligo. As a name, this makes a satisfying new twist on Harry, and may remind people of the poet Frank O'Hara or the movie and novel, Gone with the Wind.
- Mcafee
Origin:
Irish and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"son of Duibhshíth"Description:
Ryan Murphy used the name McAfee on a supporting character in his TV series The Politician, which introduced it as a usable baby name.
- Maccauley
Description:
Maccauley is a masculine name with Scottish and Irish origins, representing a variant spelling of Macaulay or McCauley. These names derive from the Gaelic 'Mac Amhalghaidh,' meaning 'son of Amhalghaidh' (an ancient personal name). The name carries a strong Celtic heritage and projects a sense of tradition and familial connection. While less common than the Macaulay spelling, Maccauley maintains the same rich cultural associations. As a first name, it remains relatively uncommon, though it gained some recognition through figures like actor Macaulay Culkin. The name has a friendly, approachable quality while still sounding distinguished. Its distinctive spelling offers uniqueness without sacrificing the name's recognizable sound and heritage, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with Celtic roots and individual character.
- Dempsy
Description:
Dempsy is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Díomasaigh, meaning 'proud' or 'arrogant'. It's closely related to the more common spelling Dempsey. The name carries strong Irish cultural associations and evokes a sense of strength and resilience. While not among the most popular first names, Dempsy gained some recognition through association with legendary boxer Jack Dempsey. As a first name, it has remained relatively rare, appealing to parents seeking an uncommon Irish-heritage name with a bold sound. The name has a robust, masculine quality with its strong consonants and distinctive ending.
- Leary
Origin:
Irish, Anglicization of LaoghaireMeaning:
"herder"Description:
We'd be leery of this one.
- Duff
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Farrelly
Description:
Farrelly is a feminine name with Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Fearghail, meaning 'man of valor' or 'courageous one.' As a first name, Farrelly is quite rare and unconventional for girls, representing a modern trend of adopting surnames as given names. Its unique sound combines strength and femininity, making it distinctive in any setting. While not commonly found in popularity charts, Farrelly offers parents seeking an uncommon name with Celtic roots an interesting option. The name carries connotations of bravery and determination, qualities that many parents might wish to inspire in their daughters.
- Mackey
Description:
Mackey is a masculine name that originated as a surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Aodha, meaning "son of Aodh" or "son of Hugh." Aodh was a popular Irish and Scottish name meaning "fire." As a first name, Mackey emerged through the tradition of using family surnames as given names, a practice particularly common in American naming customs. Though not among the most popular first names, Mackey has a friendly, approachable quality with its upbeat sound and casual feel. It carries associations with Irish and Scottish heritage while maintaining a distinctly American character. The name exudes a cheerful, unpretentious personality and offers the friendly nickname Mac.
- Keating
Origin:
English or Irish surnameMeaning:
"kite"Description:
Keating is familiar as a surname but unexpected as a first. It boasts the always energetic -ing ending.
- Keeffe
Description:
Keeffe is a masculine name with Irish Gaelic origins, derived from the surname O'Keeffe or Ó Caoimh, meaning 'descendant of Caoimh' (where Caoimh means 'gentle' or 'kind'). This surname-turned-first-name reflects the ongoing trend of adapting family names for personal use. Keeffe may also evoke associations with the famous American artist Georgia O'Keeffe, lending it cultural significance. As a first name, Keeffe remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking something unique yet rooted in tradition. The name's strong consonants and short, punchy sound give it a masculine edge while maintaining its Celtic heritage.
- O'riley
Description:
O'Riley is a masculine surname-turned-first name of Irish origin. It's derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Raghailligh, meaning "descendant of Raghallach," a personal name thought to mean "valiant" or "rash in battle." The O' prefix traditionally denotes "grandson of" or "descendant of" in Irish naming traditions. As a first name, O'Riley represents the ongoing trend of using family surnames as given names, particularly in Irish-American communities. While not among the most common given names, it offers a distinctive option that honors Irish heritage while maintaining a contemporary feel.
- Magee
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of Hugh"Description:
Magee became one of the first gender-bending Irish surname names so popular today thanks to New York television newswoman Magee Hickey. In case you don't know, the g is hard, as in Maggie, but with the opposite emphasis.
- Mcafee
Origin:
Irish and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"son of Duibhshíth"Description:
Although highly associated with the internet security company, McAfee joined the reams of possible baby names when it was used for the female character McAfee Westbrook in the Netflix series The Politician.
- Bolan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Mcneill
Description:
Mcneill is primarily a masculine surname of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin that has occasionally transitioned to first-name usage. Derived from "Mac Néill," meaning "son of Niall," it connects to ancient Celtic heritage where Niall referred to a champion or passionate person. As a given name, Mcneill is extremely rare, appealing to families with Scottish heritage or those seeking unusual surname-as-first-name options. The distinctive prefix "Mc" immediately identifies its Celtic roots. While uncommon as a first name in official statistics, it follows the modern trend of using traditional surnames as given names. Mcneill offers a strong, distinctive sound with built-in cultural history, appealing to parents seeking a name with clear heritage connections.
- Morrissey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Muiris"Description:
When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice, with the nice three-syllable lilt of of such other Irish surnames as Finnegan and Flanagan. It can also be spelled Morrisey.
Introducing the Nameberry App
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.