lastnamegenerators

Irish Last Name Generator

Generate random Irish surnames with their meanings. Use the filters to match a first letter, length or rarity, then copy or save the ones you like.

Results (10)

  • Sheehan

    From Ó Síodhacháin, descendant of the peaceful one

  • Cuddihy

    From Ó Cuidighthigh, descendant of the helper

  • Gallagher

    From Ó Gallchobhair, descendant of Gallchobhar, foreign help

  • McManus

    From Mac Maghnuis, son of Magnus, great

  • Mahon

    From Ó Mathghamhna, descendant of the bear

  • Garvey

    From Ó Gairbhith, descendant of Gairbhith, rough peace

  • O'Donnell

    From Ó Domhnaill, descendant of Domhnall, world ruler

  • Lavelle

    From Ó Maolfhábhail, descendant of the chief of travel

  • Shanahan

    From Ó Seanacháin, descendant of the wise old one

  • Hackett

    Norman origin, from a diminutive of Hake, hook

Saved names

    Names you save will appear here. They stay in this browser only.

    Irish

    Irish surnames are among the oldest hereditary names in Europe, in use since the 10th century. The prefixes tell you the structure: Ó means "grandson of" (O'Brien, O'Neill) and Mac means "son of" (McCarthy, MacNamara). Many families dropped the prefix under English rule and some restored it in the 20th century, so Sullivan and O'Sullivan are the same family.

    Keep or drop the O' and Mc prefix to change the feel: O'Callaghan sounds rooted in Ireland, Callaghan sounds like the diaspora. Anglicised forms like Kelly and Murphy are among the most common Irish surnames, while names like Ó Súilleabháin signal a Gaelic-speaking character.

    Popular Irish last names and meanings

    Surname Meaning
    Brennan From Ó Braonáin, descendant of Braonán, sorrow or moisture
    Burke From Norman de Burgh, of the fortress
    Byrne From Ó Broin, descendant of Bran, meaning raven
    Carroll From Ó Cearbhaill, descendant of Cearbhall, fierce in battle
    Casey From Ó Cathasaigh, descendant of Cathasach, vigilant
    Collins From Ó Coileáin, descendant of Coileán, young hound
    Connolly From Ó Conghalaigh, descendant of Conghalach, valiant
    Daly From Ó Dálaigh, descendant of Dálach, assembly
    Doherty From Ó Dochartaigh, descendant of the obstructive one
    Donnelly From Ó Donnghaile, descendant of Donnghal, brown valour
    Donovan From Ó Donnabháin, descendant of Donndubhán, dark brown
    Doyle From Ó Dubhghaill, descendant of the dark foreigner
    Duffy From Ó Dubhthaigh, descendant of Dubhthach, dark one
    Dunne From Ó Duinn, descendant of Donn, brown or chieftain
    Fitzgerald Norman patronymic, son of Gerald, spear rule
    Fitzpatrick Anglicised Mac Giolla Phádraig, son of Patrick's devotee
    Flanagan From Ó Flannagáin, descendant of Flannagán, red or ruddy
    Flynn From Ó Floinn, descendant of Flann, red or ruddy
    Foley From Ó Foghladha, descendant of the plunderer
    Gallagher From Ó Gallchobhair, descendant of Gallchobhar, foreign help
    Hayes From Ó hAodha, descendant of Aodh, meaning fire
    Healy From Ó hÉilidhe, claimant, or Ó hÉalaighthe, ingenious
    Kavanagh From Caomhánach, follower of Saint Caomhán, gentle
    Kelly From Ó Ceallaigh, descendant of Ceallach, possibly bright headed or strife
    Kennedy From Ó Cinnéide, descendant of Cinnéidigh, helmeted head
    Lynch From Ó Loingsigh, descendant of the seafarer
    Maguire From Mag Uidhir, son of Odhar, dun coloured
    McCarthy From Mac Cárthaigh, son of Cárthach, loving
    McDermott From Mac Diarmada, son of Diarmaid, free man
    McDonnell From Mac Domhnaill, son of Domhnall, world ruler
    McGrath From Mac Craith, son of Craith, grace or prosperity
    McLaughlin From Mac Lochlainn, son of the Viking or Norseman
    McMahon From Mac Mathghamhna, son of the bear
    Moran From Ó Móráin, descendant of Mórán, great one
    Murphy From Ó Murchadha, descendant of Murchadh, sea warrior
    Murray From Ó Muireadhaigh, descendant of Muireadhach, lord or master
    Nolan From Ó Nualláin, descendant of Nuallán, famous champion
    O'Brien Descendant of Brian, high king, meaning noble
    O'Connell From Ó Conaill, descendant of Conall, strong as a wolf
    O'Connor From Ó Conchobhair, descendant of Conchobhar, hound lover
    O'Doherty From Ó Dochartaigh, descendant of the hurtful one
    O'Donnell From Ó Domhnaill, descendant of Domhnall, world ruler
    O'Keeffe From Ó Caoimh, descendant of Caomh, gentle or kind
    O'Leary From Ó Laoghaire, descendant of the calf keeper
    O'Malley From Ó Máille, descendant of Máille, a Mayo chieftain
    O'Neill From Ó Néill, descendant of Niall, champion
    O'Reilly From Ó Raghailligh, descendant of Raghallach, possibly valiant
    O'Shea From Ó Séaghdha, descendant of Séaghdha, hawk-like
    O'Sullivan From Ó Súilleabháin, from súil, eye, possibly dark eyed or one eyed
    Power From Norman le Poer, the poor man or pauper
    Quinn From Ó Cuinn, descendant of Conn, chief or wisdom
    Reilly From Ó Raghailligh, descendant of Raghallach
    Ryan From Ó Riain, descendant of Rian, little king
    Sheehan From Ó Síodhacháin, descendant of the peaceful one
    Sullivan From Ó Súilleabháin, from súil, eye, possibly dark eyed or one eyed
    Sweeney From Mac Suibhne, son of Suibhne, pleasant
    Walsh From Breathnach, meaning Welshman or Briton
    Whelan From Ó Faoláin, descendant of Faolán, little wolf
    Ahern From Ó hEachthighearna, descendant of the horse lord
    Barry From de Barra, Norman family, or Ó Beargha, spear-like

    Frequently asked questions

    What is an Irish last name generator?

    An Irish last name generator suggests random Irish surnames so you can name a character, test a full name or explore a family heritage. This one holds 306 real names, each with its meaning, and lets you filter by first letter, last letter, length and popularity.

    How many Irish last names are in this generator?

    This origin currently has 306 curated surnames, each with a short meaning. New names are added over time.

    Can I get an Irish last name starting with a certain letter?

    Yes. Type a letter into the "Starts with" filter above. You can combine it with length and popularity filters.

    Are these real Irish surnames?

    Yes. Every name in this list is a real surname in use today, with its meaning taken from etymological records.

    More last name generators

    By country and culture

    By style and use

    Last name lists

    Other origins