400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Larkin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "rough, fierce"
    • Description:

      While Larkin takes this name from bird to surname, there are actually more female Larkins these days than male, and it's a name that works as well for either gender. It has the literary connection to poet Philip Larkin too.
  2. Eilish
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Eilis, Irish form of Hebrew Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar to English speakers. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers.
  3. Hayes
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "hedged area"
    • Description:

      Hayes is a stylish surname name, reminiscent of vintage Hazel, contemporary Collins, nature-inspired Forest and Rivers, and older unisex favorites like Hayden, Reese, and Casey. While it has seen increased use for girls in recent years, it is predominantly used for boys.
  4. Sloane
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "raider"
    • Description:

      An Irish surname-name that's used almost exclusively for girls these days, given last year to nearly 2000 baby girls in the US vs. 23 baby boys.
  5. Fitzwilliam
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of William"
    • Description:

      The Christian name of the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice— it was his mother's maiden name— is just one of several Fitz names, including Fitzroy, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, that could be used to honor a dad named William, Roy, Gerald or Patrick.
  6. Egan
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aidan, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little fire"
    • Description:

      Egan's likeness to the word eager gives this Irish surname a ready-to-please, effervescent energy, and it would make an appropriate substitute for the overused Aidan.
  7. Finnigan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fair"
    • Description:

      Finnigan is another way to spell Finnegan, one of the energetic Irish surname-names in vogue now. One note: While Finnigan, Finnian, Finley and so on are appealing names on their own, you don't need to use a longer form to get to Finn, which is a perfectly proper name all on its own.
  8. Makenna
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of McKenna, Irish, Eastern African
    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth; happy one"
    • Description:

      Makenna can be considered a member of the McKenna, Mackenna, Mckenzie and Mckayla family: surname style names that are popular for girls. It translates to "son of Kenneth", or taking Kenneth's meaning into account, "son born of fire". This particular spelling peeked in 2010 when it reached #201 on the US charts, and while it remains in the Top 500, it has declined in popularity in recent years.
  9. Quinlan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Caoinlean, slender "
    • Description:

      An Irish last-name-first-name that could make a child feel distinctive, while still having the regular guy nickname of Quinn. Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller spelled their son's name Quinlin.
  10. Brogan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "small shoe"
    • Description:

      Brogan is a cheerful Irish surname that would fit right in with the Logans and Br-starting names now trendy for boys. It's been on the pop list for the past three years, though it's sliding again. Its history includes Saint Brogan (Broccan in Gaelic), who was Saint Patrick's nephew and scribe.
  11. Tegan
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "darling, pretty"
    • Description:

      Tailored Tegan is a Welsh name, developed from the element teg meaning "beautiful, pretty". Sweet but tough, is interpreted to mean "darling, or favorite", and is also the Welsh word for toy.
  12. Flannery
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Flannghal"
    • Description:

      Long before the vogue of using Irish surnames for girls, writer Flannery O'Connor gave this one some visibility. It has a warm (flannelly) feel and the currently popular three-syllable ee-ending sound.
  13. Devlin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "unlucky"
    • Description:

      Devlin is an Irish name that's fresher and even more devilish than Devin.

      The earliest written record of this surname occurs in the thirteenth century, when an O'Devlin was appointed Bishop of Kells in 1211.

  14. Lane
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "a small roadway or path"
    • Description:

      Lane is a unisex name equally accessible to boys and girls. Breezy, cool and contemporary, it might equally put in mind country lanes and banks of wildflowers.
  15. Rooney
    • Origin:

      English or Gaelic surname
    • Meaning:

      "descendent of the champion"
    • Description:

      Talented actress Rooney Mara (originally born Patricia Rooney) has single-handedly transformed this Gaelic surname into a wearable and elegant girls' name. Often said to mean "red-haired", the original surname, rendered as O' Ruanaidh, actually means "descendent of the champion". Trivia note: the most famous Rooney, Mickey Rooney, was originally born Joseph Yule.
  16. Tegan
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "fair"
    • Description:

      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.
  17. Carlin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little champion"
    • Description:

      While the lin ending is more commonly found in girls' names, Carlin is an authentic Irish male choice and was used just about evenly for both sexes in the US last year.
  18. Mckinley
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "son of the fair hero"
    • Description:

      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.
  19. Connelly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "love, friendship"
    • Description:

      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.
  20. Channing
    • Origin:

      English or Irish
    • Meaning:

      "people of Cana or wolf cub"
    • Description:

      Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.

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