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The map of Irish surnames

Every surname on the atlas, placed on the county it came out of. Click a county to see whose names belong there — or find your own and learn which patch of ground it was made on.

Carlow — 5 surnames Cavan — 17 surnames Cork — 60 surnames Donegal — 24 surnames Dublin — 9 surnames Clare — 33 surnames Galway — 50 surnames Kerry — 34 surnames Kildare — 6 surnames Kilkenny — 19 surnames Laois — 16 surnames Leitrim — 9 surnames Limerick — 25 surnames Longford — 6 surnames Louth — 9 surnames Mayo — 32 surnames Meath — 12 surnames Monaghan — 15 surnames Offaly — 15 surnames Roscommon — 24 surnames Sligo — 14 surnames Tipperary — 33 surnames Waterford — 14 surnames Westmeath — 8 surnames Wexford — 23 surnames Wicklow — 7 surnames Antrim — 22 surnames Armagh — 14 surnames Down — 23 surnames Fermanagh — 18 surnames Derry / Londonderry — 10 surnames Tyrone — 15 surnames
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Shading is by how many surnames on this atlas name that county as a homeland — a measure of what we have written up so far, not a census. Cork and Galway are large and well recorded; Carlow is small. Suggest a name we're missing →

Ulster

Donegal Dún na nGall — 24 names

Boyle Ó Baoighill descendant of Baoigheall, 'vain pledge' Breslin Ó Breisleáin descendant of Breasal — the meaning of the personal name is not securely known Brogan Ó Brógáin descendant of Brógán — probably from bróg, 'shoe' Cannon Mac Canann son of Cana, 'a whelp' or wolf cub Clarke Ó Cléirigh descendant of the cleric — possibly Europe's oldest surname (916 AD) Curran Ó Corráin descendant of Corrán Doherty Ó Dochartaigh descendant of Dochartach, 'the hurtful' Duffy Ó Dubhthaigh descendant of Dubhthach, 'the dark one' Gallagher Ó Gallchobhair descendant of Gallchobhar, 'foreign help' Gill Mac an Ghoill son of the foreigner Magee Mag Aoidh son of Aodh, 'fire' McBride Mac Giolla Bhríde son of the servant of St Brigid McFadden Mac Pháidín son of Páidín, 'little Patrick' McLoughlin Mac Lochlainn son of Lochlann, 'the Norse-lander' McNelis Mac Niallais son of Niallas, a name formed on Niall, 'champion' McNulty Mac an Ultaigh son of the Ulsterman Mulligan Ó Maolagáin descendant of Maolagán, 'the little tonsured one' Murray Ó Muireadhaigh / Mac Muireadhaigh descendant of Muireadhach, 'seafarer / lord' O'Donnell Ó Domhnaill descendant of Domhnall, 'world-ruler' Quigley Ó Coigligh descendant of Coigleach Sweeney Mac Suibhne son of Suibhne, 'well-going' Tierney Ó Tighearnaigh descendant of Tighearnach, 'lordly' Ward Mac an Bhaird son of the bard Watters Mac Uaitéir / Ó hUisce / Ó Fuaruisce 'son of Walter' (Mac Uaitéir) — or, for the Gaelic septs, names built on 'uisce', water: 'descendant of the water' (Ó hUisce), 'cold water' (Ó Fuaruisce)

Munster

Cork Corcaigh — 60 names

Ahern Ó hEachthighearna descendant of Eachthighearna, 'lord of horses' Barrett Bairéid possibly 'quarrelsome' (baraud) Barry de Barra from Barri in Wales Buckley Ó Buachalla descendant of Buachaill, 'the herdsman' Cagney Ó Caingne descendant of Caingne — from caingean, 'a legal dispute'; an advocate's name Canavan Ó Ceanndubháin descendant of Ceanndubhán, 'the dark-headed one' Carew de Carrún from Carew in Pembrokeshire — a place name, 'the fort by the ford' Carey Ó Ciardha / Ó Cearaigh descendant of Ciardha, 'the dark one' — among several distinct roots Casey Ó Cathasaigh descendant of Cathasach, 'vigilant in war' Coffey Ó Cobhthaigh descendant of Cobhthach, 'victorious' Coleman Ó Colmáin / Ó Clumháin descendant of Colmán, 'little dove' — from Latin columba Collins Ó Coileáin descendant of Coileán, 'young hound / whelp' Condon Condún de Caunteton — from Welsh Marches Coughlan Ó Cochláin / Mac Cochláin descendant or son of Cochlán — from cochall, 'cloak' or 'hood' Cronin Ó Cróinín descendant of Crónín, 'little dark-yellow one' Crowley Ó Cruadhlaoich descendant of Cruadhlaoch, 'hard hero' Culloty Ó Codlata descendant of Codladh, 'sleep' Daly Ó Dálaigh descendant of Dálach, 'of the assembly' Deasy Déiseach 'of the Déise' — a man of the Déise people Dennehy Ó Duineachdha descendant of Duineachaidh — read as 'humane' Desmond Deasmhumhnach 'the south-Munster man' Díaz — (Spanish name; Diaz in English) 'son of Diego' — a patronymic from the Visigothic period; El Cid himself was Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, son of Diego Dinneen Ó Duinnín descendant of Duinnín, a diminutive of donn, 'brown' Donegan Ó Donnagáin descendant of Donnagán — a diminutive of donn, 'the dark one' or 'brown' Donovan Ó Donnabháin descendant of Donndubhán, 'dark brown-haired chief' Dowling Ó Dúnlaing descendant of Dúnlang Downey Ó Duibheanaigh / Ó Maoldomhnaigh descendant of Duibheanach — or, for the second sept, 'devotee of the church' Duggan Ó Dubhagáin descendant of Dubhagán, 'the little dark one' Flynn Ó Floinn descendant of Flann, 'ruddy' Foley Ó Foghladha descendant of Foghlaidh — 'the plunderer' Forde Mac Conshnámha / Mac Giolla na Naomh / Ó Fuaráin three Irish names all mistranslated as 'ford': 'son of the swimming-hound' (Leitrim), 'son of the devotee of the saints' (Galway), 'descendant of Fuarthán, the cold one' (Cork) Galvin Ó Gealbháin descendant of Gealbhán, 'bright-white' Hayes Ó hAodha descendant of Aodh, 'fire' Healy Ó hÉilidhe / Ó hÉalaighthe 'claimant' (Sligo) or 'ingenious' (Cork) Hennessy Ó hAonghusa descendant of Aonghus Hore de Hór hoar — 'grey-haired' Hurley Ó hUrthuile / Ó Muirthile descendant of Urthuile — 'sea-tide' Kelleher Ó Céileachair descendant of Céileachar, 'companion-loving' Lombard Lombard 'the Lombard' — an Italian banker Looney Ó Luanaigh descendant of Luanach, 'warrior' (luan, champion) Lynch Ó Loingsigh / de Lench descendant of Loingseach, 'mariner' McCarthy Mac Cárthaigh son of Cárthach, 'loving' Moynihan Ó Muimhneacháin descendant of the Munsterman Murphy Ó Murchadha descendant of Murchadh, 'sea-warrior' Noonan Ó Nuanáin descendant of Ionmhaineán, 'the beloved' O'Callaghan Ó Ceallacháin descendant of Ceallachán of Cashel O'Donoghue Ó Donnchadha descendant of Donnchadh O'Driscoll Ó hEidirsceoil descendant of the eidirsceol — 'the go-between, the interpreter' O'Keeffe Ó Caoimh descendant of Caomh, 'gentle, beloved' O'Leary Ó Laoghaire descendant of Laoghaire, 'calf-keeper' O'Mahony Ó Mathghamhna descendant of Mathghamhain, 'bear' O'Sullivan Ó Súilleabháin descendant of Súildubhán, 'dark-eyed one' Regan Ó Riagáin descendant of Riagán, 'little king' (or 'impulsive') Riordan Ó Ríoghbhardáin descendant of Ríoghbhardán, 'royal little bard' Roche de Róiste de la roche — 'of the rock' Scanlon Ó Scannláin descendant of Scannlán — from scannal, 'contention' or 'strife' Sheehan Ó Síodhacháin descendant of Síodhach, 'the peaceful' Sweeney Mac Suibhne son of Suibhne, 'well-going' Twomey Ó Tuama descendant of Tuaim — 'burial mound' Woulfe de Bhulbh le woulf — 'the wolf'

Kerry Ciarraí — 34 names

Brosnan Ó Brosnacháin of Brosna — the river and village in Kerry Buckley Ó Buachalla descendant of Buachaill, 'the herdsman' Cahill Ó Cathail descendant of Cathal — cath, 'battle', with either 'rule' or 'great' Cronin Ó Cróinín descendant of Crónín, 'little dark-yellow one' Culloty Ó Codlata descendant of Codladh, 'sleep' Curran Ó Corráin descendant of Corrán Díaz — (Spanish name; Diaz in English) 'son of Diego' — a patronymic from the Visigothic period; El Cid himself was Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, son of Diego Dowling Ó Dúnlaing descendant of Dúnlang Downey Ó Duibheanaigh / Ó Maoldomhnaigh descendant of Duibheanach — or, for the second sept, 'devotee of the church' Fitzgerald Mac Gearailt fitz Gerald — son of Gerald (of Windsor) Foley Ó Foghladha descendant of Foghlaidh — 'the plunderer' Galvin Ó Gealbháin descendant of Gealbhán, 'bright-white' Griffin Ó Gríobhtha descendant of Gríobhtha, 'griffin-like' Kelleher Ó Céileachair descendant of Céileachar, 'companion-loving' Kirby Ó Ciarmhaic descendant of Ciarmhac, 'dark son' Lalor Ó Leathlobhair descendant of Leathlobhar McCarthy Mac Cárthaigh son of Cárthach, 'loving' Moriarty Ó Muircheartaigh descendant of Muircheartach, 'skilled navigator' — from muir, the sea Moynihan Ó Muimhneacháin descendant of the Munsterman O'Connell Ó Conaill descendant of Conall — a name built from 'hound' and 'valour' O'Connor Ó Conchobhair descendant of Conchobhar, 'lover of hounds' O'Donoghue Ó Donnchadha descendant of Donnchadh O'Mahony Ó Mathghamhna descendant of Mathghamhain, 'bear' O'Shea Ó Séaghdha descendant of Séaghdha, 'hawk-like, stately' O'Sullivan Ó Súilleabháin descendant of Súildubhán, 'dark-eyed one' Rice Rís from Welsh Rhys Riordan Ó Ríoghbhardáin descendant of Ríoghbhardán, 'royal little bard' Scanlon Ó Scannláin descendant of Scannlán — from scannal, 'contention' or 'strife' Shanahan Ó Seanacháin descendant of Seanachán, 'the old, wise one' Sheehan Ó Síodhacháin descendant of Síodhach, 'the peaceful' Sheehy Mac Síthigh son of Sítheach, 'the peaceful' — or 'the otherworldly' Stack Stac uncertain — perhaps 'haystack-built' Sweeney Mac Suibhne son of Suibhne, 'well-going' Twomey Ó Tuama descendant of Tuaim — 'burial mound'

Clare An Clár — 33 names

Ahern Ó hEachthighearna descendant of Eachthighearna, 'lord of horses' Carty Ó Cárthaigh descendant of Cárthach, 'loving' Clancy Mac Fhlannchaidh son of Flannchadh, 'the red warrior' Colgan Ó Colgáin descendant of Colga — from colg, 'sword' or 'thorn' Considine Mac Consaidín son of Constantine Cooney Ó Cuana descendant of Cuana Creagh Craobhach 'of the branch' — from craobh, a branch Cusack Ciomhsóg from Cussac in Guyenne Galvin Ó Gealbháin descendant of Gealbhán, 'bright-white' Gorman Mac Gormáin son of Gormán, 'the noble dark one' Griffin Ó Gríobhtha descendant of Gríobhtha, 'griffin-like' Hickey Ó hÍcidhe descendant of the healer (íce, 'healing') Hogan Ó hÓgáin descendant of Ógán, 'the young one' Hurley Ó hUrthuile / Ó Muirthile descendant of Urthuile — 'sea-tide' Keane Ó Catháin descendant of Cathán, 'little battler' Kennedy Ó Cinnéide descendant of Cinnéidigh, 'helmeted head' Looney Ó Luanaigh descendant of Luanach, 'warrior' (luan, champion) Lynch Ó Loingsigh / de Lench descendant of Loingseach, 'mariner' MacNamara Mac Conmara son of Cú Mara, 'hound of the sea' McGrath Mac Craith son of Mac Raith, 'son of grace' McInerney Mac an Airchinnigh son of the erenagh — the hereditary steward of church lands McMahon Mac Mathghamhna son of Mathghamhain, 'bear' Minogue Ó Muineog descendant of Muineog — a diminutive of manach, 'monk' Naughton Ó Neachtain descendant of Neachtan — an old name linked to water O'Brien Ó Briain descendant of Brian (Boru) O'Callaghan Ó Ceallacháin descendant of Ceallachán of Cashel O'Dea Ó Deághaidh descendant of Deághaidh, a tenth-century chieftain O'Halloran Ó hAllmhuráin descendant of Allmhurán, 'the stranger from over the sea' Quinn Ó Cuinn descendant of Conn, 'chief' Shanahan Ó Seanacháin descendant of Seanachán, 'the old, wise one' Slattery Ó Slatara descendant of Slatra, 'the strong, bold' Troy Ó Troighthigh descendant of Troightheach, 'the foot-soldier' Vaughan Ó Mocháin / Vaughan Welsh fychan, 'small' — adopted for Ó Mocháin

Tipperary Tiobraid Árann — 33 names

Butler de Buitléir le botiler — the (chief) butler of Ireland Cahill Ó Cathail descendant of Cathal — cath, 'battle', with either 'rule' or 'great' Cantwell Cantual from Kentwell, Suffolk Carew de Carrún from Carew in Pembrokeshire — a place name, 'the fort by the ford' Carroll Ó Cearbhaill descendant of Cearbhall, 'fierce in battle' Carty Ó Cárthaigh descendant of Cárthach, 'loving' Coleman Ó Colmáin / Ó Clumháin descendant of Colmán, 'little dove' — from Latin columba Condon Condún de Caunteton — from Welsh Marches Corcoran Ó Corcráin descendant of Corcrán, 'purple-faced' Donegan Ó Donnagáin descendant of Donnagán — a diminutive of donn, 'the dark one' or 'brown' Egan Mac Aodhagáin son of little Aodh Fogarty Ó Fógartaigh descendant of Fógartach, 'the banished' or 'proclaimed' Hayes Ó hAodha descendant of Aodh, 'fire' Hickey Ó hÍcidhe descendant of the healer (íce, 'healing') Hogan Ó hÓgáin descendant of Ógán, 'the young one' Kearney Ó Cearnaigh / Ó Catharnaigh descendant of Cearnach, 'victorious' Keating Céitinn possibly Welsh cethin, 'dusky' Kennedy Ó Cinnéide descendant of Cinnéidigh, 'helmeted head' Keogh Mac Eochaidh son of Eochaidh — from each, 'horse' Maher Ó Meachair descendant of Meachar, 'hospitable' Mulcahy Ó Maolchathaigh descendant of the devotee of St Cathach ('battle') O'Brien Ó Briain descendant of Brian (Boru) Prendergast de Priondargás from Brontegeest in Flanders Purcell Puirséil pourcel — 'piglet' (a herdsman's name) Ryan Ó Maoilriain descendant of Maoilriaghain Scully Ó Scolaidhe descendant of the scholar Shanahan Ó Seanacháin descendant of Seanachán, 'the old, wise one' Sheehy Mac Síthigh son of Sítheach, 'the peaceful' — or 'the otherworldly' Slattery Ó Slatara descendant of Slatra, 'the strong, bold' Tierney Ó Tighearnaigh descendant of Tighearnach, 'lordly' Tobin Tóibín de St Aubyn Treacy Ó Treasaigh descendant of Treasach, 'the fierce, the warlike' Troy Ó Troighthigh descendant of Troightheach, 'the foot-soldier'

Limerick Luimneach — 25 names

Casey Ó Cathasaigh descendant of Cathasach, 'vigilant in war' Collins Ó Coileáin descendant of Coileán, 'young hound / whelp' Creagh Craobhach 'of the branch' — from craobh, a branch Donovan Ó Donnabháin descendant of Donndubhán, 'dark brown-haired chief' Fitzgerald Mac Gearailt fitz Gerald — son of Gerald (of Windsor) Fitzgibbon Mac Giobúin son of Gibbon — Norman French fitz, 'son of', and a pet form of Gilbert Griffin Ó Gríobhtha descendant of Gríobhtha, 'griffin-like' Halpin Ó hAilpín descendant of Ailpín Hayes Ó hAodha descendant of Aodh, 'fire' Hickey Ó hÍcidhe descendant of the healer (íce, 'healing') Hurley Ó hUrthuile / Ó Muirthile descendant of Urthuile — 'sea-tide' Jenkins — (Welsh / Cornish name) 'little John' — Jenkin, a pet-form of John with the '-kin' ending Kiely Ó Cadhla descendant of Cadhla, 'graceful' Kirby Ó Ciarmhaic descendant of Ciarmhac, 'dark son' McInerney Mac an Airchinnigh son of the erenagh — the hereditary steward of church lands Mulcahy Ó Maolchathaigh descendant of the devotee of St Cathach ('battle') Noonan Ó Nuanáin descendant of Ionmhaineán, 'the beloved' O'Brien Ó Briain descendant of Brian (Boru) Roche de Róiste de la roche — 'of the rock' Ryan Ó Maoilriain descendant of Maoilriaghain Sheehan Ó Síodhacháin descendant of Síodhach, 'the peaceful' Sheehy Mac Síthigh son of Sítheach, 'the peaceful' — or 'the otherworldly' Wall de Bhál du val — 'of the valley' Wallace de Bhailís le waleis — 'the Welshman, the foreigner' Woulfe de Bhulbh le woulf — 'the wolf'

Leinster

Connacht

Galway Gaillimh — 50 names

Bermingham Mac Fheorais from Birmingham, England Blake de Bláca le blac — 'the black-haired' Bodkin Boidicín a nickname from a short dagger Burke de Búrca from de Burgh — 'of the borough' Cahill Ó Cathail descendant of Cathal — cath, 'battle', with either 'rule' or 'great' Canavan Ó Ceanndubháin descendant of Ceanndubhán, 'the dark-headed one' Clarke Ó Cléirigh descendant of the cleric — possibly Europe's oldest surname (916 AD) Concannon Ó Concheanainn descendant of Cú Cheanainn, 'fair-headed hound' Conneely Mac Conghaile / Ó Conghaile son of Conghal — 'hound' and 'valour' Connolly Ó Conghalaigh descendant of Conghalach, 'valiant as a hound' Cooney Ó Cuana descendant of Cuana Costello Mac Oisdealbhaigh son of Oisdealbh — the first Norman family to take a 'Mac' Coyne Ó Cadhain descendant of Cadhan — a personal name from the barnacle goose Daly Ó Dálaigh descendant of Dálach, 'of the assembly' Darcy Ó Dorchaidhe / d'Arcy descendant of Dorchaidh, 'dark one' — or from Arcy in France Dolan Ó Dobhailen descendant of Dobhailen Donnellan Ó Domhnalláin descendant of Domhnallán, a diminutive of Domhnall, 'world-ruler' Downey Ó Duibheanaigh / Ó Maoldomhnaigh descendant of Duibheanach — or, for the second sept, 'devotee of the church' Duggan Ó Dubhagáin descendant of Dubhagán, 'the little dark one' Egan Mac Aodhagáin son of little Aodh Fahy Ó Fathaigh descendant of Fathadh, 'foundation / green field' Fallon Ó Fallamhain descendant of Fallamhan, 'leader' Finnegan Ó Fionnagáin descendant of Fionnagán, 'little fair one' Forde Mac Conshnámha / Mac Giolla na Naomh / Ó Fuaráin three Irish names all mistranslated as 'ford': 'son of the swimming-hound' (Leitrim), 'son of the devotee of the saints' (Galway), 'descendant of Fuarthán, the cold one' (Cork) French de Fréins 'the Frenchman' Hughes Mac Aodha / Ó hAodha son (or descendant) of Aodh, 'fire' Jennings Mac Sheóinín son of little John Joyce Seoighe from Josse, a Breton saint's name Keane Ó Catháin descendant of Cathán, 'little battler' Kelly Ó Ceallaigh descendant of Ceallach, 'bright-headed' or 'strife' Kenny Ó Cionnaith descendant of Cionnaith Kirwan Ó Ciardhubháin descendant of Ciardhubhán, 'the black-dark one' Larkin Ó Lorcáin descendant of Lorcán, 'fierce' Lennon Ó Leannáin descendant of Leannán, 'lover' or 'sweetheart' Lynch Ó Loingsigh / de Lench descendant of Loingseach, 'mariner' Madden Ó Madáin descendant of Madán (from madadh, 'hound') Martin Mac Giolla Mháirtín / Máirtín devotee of St Martin McDonagh Mac Donnchadha son of Donnchadh Meehan Ó Miadhacháin descendant of Miadhachán, 'the honourable' Mitchell Mistéil from Michael Mooney Ó Maonaigh descendant of Maonach Mullan Ó Maoláin descendant of Maolán, 'the tonsured one' Naughton Ó Neachtain descendant of Neachtan — an old name linked to water O'Connell Ó Conaill descendant of Conall — a name built from 'hound' and 'valour' O'Flaherty Ó Flaithbheartaigh descendant of Flaithbheartach, 'bright ruler' O'Halloran Ó hAllmhuráin descendant of Allmhurán, 'the stranger from over the sea' Treacy Ó Treasaigh descendant of Treasach, 'the fierce, the warlike' Tully Mac an Tuile / Ó Maoltuile son of the flood — 'of God's will' Ward Mac an Bhaird son of the bard Watters Mac Uaitéir / Ó hUisce / Ó Fuaruisce 'son of Walter' (Mac Uaitéir) — or, for the Gaelic septs, names built on 'uisce', water: 'descendant of the water' (Ó hUisce), 'cold water' (Ó Fuaruisce)

Mayo Maigh Eo — 32 names

Barrett Bairéid possibly 'quarrelsome' (baraud) Blake de Bláca le blac — 'the black-haired' Brogan Ó Brógáin descendant of Brógán — probably from bróg, 'shoe' Burke de Búrca from de Burgh — 'of the borough' Carey Ó Ciardha / Ó Cearaigh descendant of Ciardha, 'the dark one' — among several distinct roots Conneely Mac Conghaile / Ó Conghaile son of Conghal — 'hound' and 'valour' Costello Mac Oisdealbhaigh son of Oisdealbh — the first Norman family to take a 'Mac' Coyne Ó Cadhain descendant of Cadhan — a personal name from the barnacle goose Dillon Diolún from de Leon Fitzgibbon Mac Giobúin son of Gibbon — Norman French fitz, 'son of', and a pet form of Gilbert Garvey Ó Gairbhith descendant of Gairbhith, 'rough peace' Gill Mac an Ghoill son of the foreigner Higgins Ó hUiginn descendant of Uiginn — 'the Viking' Jennings Mac Sheóinín son of little John Joyce Seoighe from Josse, a Breton saint's name Kearney Ó Cearnaigh / Ó Catharnaigh descendant of Cearnach, 'victorious' Lennon Ó Leannáin descendant of Leannán, 'lover' or 'sweetheart' Loftus Ó Lachtnáin descendant of Lachtnán, 'milk-white' McDonnell Mac Dónaill son of Dónall McFadden Mac Pháidín son of Páidín, 'little Patrick' McNulty Mac an Ultaigh son of the Ulsterman Moran Ó Móráin descendant of Mórán, 'the great one' Mulligan Ó Maolagáin descendant of Maolagán, 'the little tonsured one' O'Dowd Ó Dubhda descendant of Dubhda, 'the dark' O'Flaherty Ó Flaithbheartaigh descendant of Flaithbheartach, 'bright ruler' O'Malley Ó Máille descendant of Máille — 'noble chief' Prendergast de Priondargás from Brontegeest in Flanders Quigley Ó Coigligh descendant of Coigleach Rooney Ó Ruanaidh descendant of Ruanadh, 'the champion' Tierney Ó Tighearnaigh descendant of Tighearnach, 'lordly' Vaughan Ó Mocháin / Vaughan Welsh fychan, 'small' — adopted for Ó Mocháin Walsh Breathnach 'the Welshman' — soldiers who came with the Normans

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