Irish name

A formal Irish-language name consists of a given name and a surname, as in English. Surnames in Irish are generally patronymic in etymology, although they are no longer literal patronyms, as Icelandic names are. The form of a surname varies according to whether its bearer is male or female, and in the case of a married woman, whether she chooses to adopt her husband's surname.

An alternative traditional naming convention, not used for official purposes but generalised in Gaeltachtaí or Irish-speaking areas, consists of the first name followed by a double patronym, usually with the father and grandfather's names. Sometimes the name of the mother or grandmother may be used instead of that of the father or grandfather.

Firstnames

The Irish have a traditional system for naming children : the first son is named after the father's father, the second son after the mother's father, the third son after the father, the first daughter after the mother's mother, the second daughter after the father's mother, the third daughter after the mother. Any further children are named by the parents' choice. This has led to some spectacular names being made more common, for example there are plenty of Assumptas and Perpetuas, and many girls were named after Saints Theresa and Bernadette in the 1950s shortly after they were canonised. Many families still adhere to this way of naming children, although it is becoming less common nowadays with the influx of more secular names from the world of TV and popular music. Traditional names, like Gráinne, Áine and Cathal, or Irish versions of Norman names, such as Seán (from Norman French Jean), Siobhán and Sinéad, are also very common. It's possible for several cousins to have exactly the same name, eg. Daniel Murphy, if all their fathers were brothers, and they are named after the same grandfather. To avoid confusion a pet name may be used, or a middle name eg Daniel Patrick may be called Dan Pat, and Daniel John may be called Danny John. Though it has been seen in older high class families where family records are present that the child's name can be that of an ancestor or famous person, such a thing is most prominent in the isolated families, such as the Mac Diamadas of Limerick and the Mac Gillachs of Donegal whose families have dated back to the 10th century.

Epithets

A first name may be modified by an adjective to distinguish its bearer from other people with the same name. Mór ("big") and Óg ("young") are used to distinguish father and son, like English junior and senior, but are placed between the given name and the surname: Seán Óg Ó Súilleabháin corresponds to "John O'Sullivan Jr."(although anglicised versions of the name often drop the "O'" from the name).

The word Beag/Beg, meaning "little", can be used in place of Óg. This did not necessarily indicate that the younger person was small in stature, merely younger than his father. Sometimes beag would be used to imply a baby was small at birth – and premature – particularly when the baby was born less than 9 months after marriage.

Adjectives denoting hair colour may also be used, especially informally: Pádraig Rua ("red-haired Patrick"), Máire Bhán ("fair-haired Mary").

Surnames and prefixes

A male's surname generally takes the form Ó/Ua (originally "grandson") or Mac ("son") followed by the genitive case of a name, as in Ó Dónaill ("grandson of Dónall") or Mac Gearailt ("son of Gerald"). A son has the same surname as his father. A female's surname replaces Ó with Ní (reduced from Iníon Uí - "daughter of the grandson of") and Mac with Nic (reduced from Iníon Mhic - "daughter of the son of"); in both cases the following name undergoes lenition. Thus the daughter of a man named Ó Dónaill has the surname Ní Dhónaill and the daughter of a man named Mac Gearailt has the surname Nic Gearailt. If, however, the second part of the surname begins with the letter C or G, it is not lenited after Nic: Nic Carthaigh, Nic Gearailt. When anglicised, the name can remain O' or Mac, regardless of gender.

If a woman marries, she may choose to take her husband's surname. In this case, Ó is replaced by Bean Uí ("wife of the grandson of") and Mac by Bean Mhic ("wife of the son of"). In both cases bean may be omitted, in which case the woman uses simply Uí or Mhic. Again, the second part of the surname is lenited (unless it begins with C, in which case it is only lenited after Uí). Thus a woman marrying a man named Ó Dónaill may choose to be use Bean Uí Dhónaill or Uí Dhónaill as her surname; a woman marrying a man named Mac Gearailt may choose to use Bean Mhic Gearailt or Mhic Gearailt.

If the second part of the surname begins with a vowel, the form Ó attaches an h to it, as in Ó hUiginn (O'Higgins) or Ó hAodha (Hughes). The other forms effect no change: Ní Uiginn, (Bean) Uí Uiginn; Mac Aodha, Nic Aodha, Mhic Aodha, and so forth.

Mag is often used instead of Mac before a vowel or the silent fh. Ua is an alternative form of Ó.

Some names of Norman origin have the prefix Fitz, from Latin filius "son", such as Fitzwilliam, Fitzgerald, and so forth.

Male	Female	Anglicised	Meaning
Ó/Ua	Ní	O’	grandson/granddaughter of
Mac	Nic	Mc	son/daughter of
—	Bean Uí	O’	wife of the grandson of
—	Bean Mhic	Mc	wife of the son of

Additives

Many Irish surnames are concentrated in particular parts of the country and there are areas where a single surname may account for a large proportion of the population. Examples include O'Reilly/Reilly in Co. Cavan, Ryan in Co. Tipperary and East Co. Limerick and O'Sullivan in the Beara peninsula of West Cork. In such cases, the surname may also contain an additive in popular usage to differentiate one group bearing the same surname from another.

Additives are particularly common among those bearing the Ryan surname. Examples include Ryan Lacken, Ryan Luke and Ryan Doc. A man christened Thomas Ryan might be known as Tommy Doc and his family might be referred as the Docs. While the additive is not part of a person's official name, it may be used in a postal address, on an election register or in newspaper reports. In this case, Tommy Doc might be written as Thomas Ryan (D).

Like the surname, the additive is passed down from father to child. However, if a person becomes well-known by a nickname of his own, his children may take his nickname as an additive. For example, if Tommy Ryan Doc was often referred to as "Bomber", his son Patrick might referred to orally as Pat Bomber and written as Patrick Ryan (B).

Traditional Gaeltacht names

In Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas it remains customary to use a name composed of the first name, followed by the father's name in the genitive case, followed by the name of the paternal grandfather, also in the genitive. Thus Seán Ó Cathasaigh (Sean O'Casey), son of Pól, son of Séamus, would be known to his neighbours as Seán Phóil Shéamuis. Occasionally, if the mother or grandmother was a well-known person locally, her name may be used instead of that of the father or grandfather. If the mother's name is used, then that of the maternal grandfather (or potentially grandmother) follows it, for example, Máire Sally Eoghain.

These names are not used for official purposes. Often a nickname or English version of a name is used in their composition where the person would use a standard Irish form in formal circumstances. For example, the prominent sean-nós singer Seán Mac Dhonnchadha is perhaps better known as Johnny Mhairtín Learaí.

This naming system also survives to a certain extent in rural areas outside the existing Gaeltacht. For example, it is still in use in parts of counties Derry and Tyrone located in the Sperrins. The system can be particularly useful for distinguishing individuals who live in the same locale, and who share a common surname but are not closely related. For example, two individuals named John McEldowney, might be known as "John Patsy Den" and "John Mary Philip" respectively.

List

List of common given names

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Irish-language given names.

Many Irish given names were replaced by English equivalents that sounded something like the original Gaelic form (at least to English ears) but were etymologically unrelated. Examples include:

Names of Irish origin

Name	English/Anglicised form
Áed/Áedán	Aidan/Aiden
Aengus/Óengus	Angus
Áine	—
Aisling	Ashlin/Ashlyn
Aodh	Hugh
Aoife	Eva
Bairre/Bearrach	Barrie/Barry
Brénainn/Breandán	Brendan
Brian	Bryan
Brighid	Bridget
Caitlín	Cathleen/Kathleen
Caoimhe	Keeva
Caoimhín	Kevin
Cathal	Charles
Cianáin	Keenan
Ciara	Keira/Kiera
Ciarán	Keiran/Kieran
Cailean/Coilean	Colin/Collin
Ceallach/Ceallaigh	Kelly/Kelley
Céilí/Céilidh	Kaylee/Kaylie/Kayleigh
Cianáin	Keenan
Cliodhna/Clíona	Cleena
Colm/Colum	—
Conán	Conan
Conchob(h)ar	Conor/Connor
Cormac	—
Carraig	Craig
Dáithí	—
Dearbhla	Dervla
Deirdre	—
Donnchadh/Donnchadha	Donagh/Donough
Diarmaid/Diarmait	Dermot
Domhnall/Dónall	Donald
Dubhglas	Douglas
Eibhlín/Eilín	Eileen
Eithne	Etna/Enya
Émer/Eimear	—
Eoin/Eoghan	Owen
Étaín/Éadaoin	Aideen
Fearganainm	Ferdinand
Fergus/Fearghus	Fergus
Féilim	Felix
Fiach	—
Fíonna	Fiona
Fionnbharr	Finbar
Fionnuala	Finella/Finuala
Giolla na Naomh	Nehemiah
Gráinne	Granya/Grace
Lorcán/Lorcain	Larkin/Lauren/Laurence
Maoileachlainn	Malachy
Meabh	Mave/Maev(e)
Muirgheal	Muriel
Niall	Neil/Neal
Niamh	Neve/Niav/Neave
Nuala	—
Odhrán	Oran
Oisín	Ossian
Órla/Órlaith	Orla
Rian	Ryan
Róisín	Rosheen/Rosaleen
Rónán	Ronan
Ros	Ross
Ruai(dh)ri/Ruari(dh)	Rory
Saorlaith	Searla(h)
Seán	Shaun/Shawn/Shane
Siobhán	Shivaune/Shivaun/Shivonne
Sorcha/Saoirse	Sarah
Tadhg	Teague
Treabhair	Trevor
Ultan	—
Úna	Una/Oona

Names of foreign origin

Name	Irish (Gaelic) form
Aaron	Árón
Adam	Ádam/Ádhamh
Alan	Ailin
Andrew	Aindréas/Aindriú
Arthur	Artúr
Bernard	Bearnárd
Catherine	Catraoine
Christopher	Críostóir
David	Dáibhead/Dáibheid/Dáibhí
Daniel	Dainéal/Dómhnall/Dónall
Edward	Éadbhard
E(a)dmund	Eamon(n)/Éamon(n)
Frederick	Feardorcha
Gerard	Gearóid
George	Seoirse
Gregory	Gréagóir/Greagoir
William	Liam/Uilliam
Patrick	Pádraic/Pádraig
James	Séamus/Séamas
Janet/Jeanette	Sinéad
Laurence/Lawrence	Labhrás
Mary	Máire
Martin	Máirtín
Matthew	Maitiú
Michael	Mícheál
Honora/Nora	Nóra/Nóirín
Peter	Peadar
Philip	Pilib
Paul	Pól/Póil
Francis/Frances	Proinsias
Rachel	Ráichéal
Raymond	Réamann
Richard	Ristéard/Riocard
Robert	Roibeárd
Joseph	Seosamh
Samuel	Somhairle
Sarah	Sorcha
Simon	Síomón
Solomon	Solamh
Stephen	Stiofán
Theodore	Téodóir
Thomas/Timothy	Tomás/Tomaltach
Vincent	Uinsean

List of surnames

Gaelic surnames:

• Annlúin / O hAnnlúinn (Hanlon, O'Hanlon)
• Breathneach (Walsh)
• Ó Baoill / Ó Baoighill (Boyle, O'Boyle)
• Ó Branagáin (O'Brannigan, Branagan, Brangan, Brannigan)
• Ó Brallaghan/ O'Brollachain (Bradley)
• Ó Braonáin/Mac Braonáin (Brennan)
• Ó Breaslain (Breslin)
• Ó Briain (O'Brian, O'Brien)
• Ó Broin (Byrne, Byrnes, Burns)
• Ó Broithe (Brophy)
• Ó Cadhla (Kiely)
• Ó Cairbre (Carbery, Carberry)
• Ó Caoimh (O'Keeffe,O'Keefe)
• Ó Caollaidhe (Kealy, Keely, Queally)
• Ó Carra (Carr)
• Ó Catháin / Ó Cahan (O'Kane, Kane, McCain, Keane, Kean, Cain)
• Ó Cathal (Cahill)
• Ó Cathasaigh (Casey)
• Ó Ceallacháin (O'Callaghan)
• Ó Ceallaigh (Kelly)
• Ó Cearnaigh (Kearney/Carney/Carnie)
• Ó Ceanndubhain (O'Canavan/Canavan/Kinavan)
• Ó Caomhánach (Cavanaugh, Cavanacht, Kavanaugh, Kavanacht)
• Ó Cillin (Killeen)
• Ó Cinnéide (Kennedy)
• Cinnseallaigh (Kinsella)
• Ó Cionnaith (Kenny, Kenney)
• Ó Ciosain (Kissane, Cashman)
• Ó Clérigh (Cleary, Clary, Clery, etc.)
• Ó/Mac Cnáimhsí (Bonner, Kneafsey)
• Ó Coigligh (Quigley)
• Ó Coirbín / Corbáin (Corbett)
• Ó Conchobhair/Ó Conchúir (O'Connor, Connors)
• Ó Con Fhiacla (Tuite)
• Ó Conghaile/Mac Conghaile/Ó Cionnfhaolaidh (Connolly/Conneely/Kennelly)
• Ó Conaing (O'Gunning/Gunning/Cunning))
• Ó Conaill (O'Connell)
• Ó Corráin (Curran)
• Ó Cuanaich/Ó Cuana (O'Cooney, Cooney)
• Ó Coileáin (Collins)
• Ó Conradh (Conrad)
• Ó Conaráin (Conran)
• Ó Cornghaile (Cornally)
• Ó Crabháin (Creaven/Craven)
• Ó Croidheáin/Ó Croidheagan/Ó Creacháin (Cregan, Crean, O'Cryan, O'Crean, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Creane, Crehan)
• Ó Cruadhlaoich (Crowley)
• Ó Cuinn (Quinn)
• Ó Cuinneagáin/Ó Cuinneacháin/Ó Connacháin/Ó Connagáin (Cunningham)
• Ó Daimhín (Devine, Divine, Devin)
• Ó Dálaigh (Daly/O'Daly/Daley/Daily/Daeley)
• Ó Deághaidh (O'Dea, Day, O'Dee, Dee)
• Ó Diomasach (O'Dempsey, Dempsey)
• Ó Dochartaigh/Ó Dubhartaigh (Doherty, Daughtry)
• Ó Doinn (O'Dunne/Dunne/O'Dunn/Dunn)
• Ó Dónaill (O'Donnell)
• Ó Donnagáin (Donegan)
• Ó Dubháin (Devane, Dewane, Duane)
• Ó Duibhlin/Ó Dobhailein (Devlin, O'Devlin, Develin, Devolin, Devoline, Defflin, Devline, Davlin)
• Ó Dubhuir (Dwyer, O'Dwyer, Diver, Devers)
• Ó Donnchú, Ó Donncadha (O'Donoghue, O'Donohue)
• Ó Dreaghnean (O'Drennan, Drennan)
• Ó Dhuiling (Dowling)
• Ó Dubhda (Dowd/O'Dowd)
• Ó Dubhshláine (Delaney, Delany)
• Ó Dubhthaigh (Duffy/O'Duffy)
• Ó Duillearga (Delargy)
• Ó Durcáin/Ó Duarcáin/Mac Dhuarcáin/Mac Dhurcáin (Durkin, Durkan, Durcan)
• Ó Faoláin (Whelan, Whalen, Phelan)
• Ó Faracháin/Ó Farannáin/Ó Forannáin (O'Fanan, Farnan, Farnand, Farnon)
• Ó Fathaigh (Fahy, Fahey, Vahey)
• Ó Fearadhaigh (Ferry)
• Ó Fearghail (O'Farrell)
• Ó Fiannaidhe (O'Feeney, Feeney)
• Ó Flaithbheartaigh (O Flaherty)
• Ó Flannghail (Flavell)
• Ó Floinn (Flynn)
• Ó Fuartháin (Ford, Forde)
• Ó Gadhra (O'Gara, Geary)
• Ó Gallchobhair, Ó Gallchóir (Gallagher)
• Ó Gibealain (O'Gibelin, Giblin, Gibson)
• Ó/Mac Gormáin (O'Gorman, Gorman)
• Ó Gribín (Gribbin,Gribbon,Gribben)
• Ó Glaisne (Giles)
• Ó hAinbhith (Hanvey, Henvey)
• Ó hAinle (Hanly/Hanley, O'Hanley)
• Ó hAllmhuráin (O'Halloran/O'Halleron, Halloran, Haloran)
• Ó hAnradháin (Hanrahan, O'Hanrahan)
• Ó hAodha (Hughes, Hayes)
• Ó hAonghusa (Hennessy)
• Ó hAoláin (Hyland, O'Hyland)
• Ó hArrachtáin (Harrington, O'Harraughton)
• Ó hArt (Hart)
• Ó hAthairne (Harney)
• Ó hEachthairn (Ahearn, Ahearns, Hearn, Hearns, O'Hearns)
• Ó hEalaighthe (Healey, Healy, Haley)
• Ó hEadhra (O'Hara)
• Ó hÉamhthaigh (Heaphy, Heefey, Heafy)
• Ó hEidhin (Hynes)
• Ó hÉimhín (Evans)
• Ó hIcí (Hickey)
• Ó hIceadh (Hickey)
• Ó hÓgáin (Hogan/O'Hagan and Young/Younge)
• Ó hÓisín (Hassan, Hasson, Hassen, Hassin, O'Hassan)
• Ó hÓsáin (Hassan, Hasson, Hassen, Hassin, O'Hassan)
• Ó hUallacháin (Houlihan, Holohan, Holland, Mulholland)
• Ó hÚbáin (Hoban)
• Ó Loingsigh/Mac Loinsigh/(Lynch, Lynchy, Lynskey, Lindsay)
• Ó Laochdha (Leahy)
• Ó Laoidheach (Lee)
• Ó Lapain (Lappin)
• Ó Laifeartaigh (Lafferty, Laverty, Leverty, O'Lafferty, O'Laverty, O'Leverty)
• Ó Liathain (Lee, Lehane)
• Ó Lideadha (Leddy)
• Ó Lorcáin (Larkin, Lawrence)
• Ó Luinigh (O'Looney, Looney, Loney, Lunney)
• Ó Máille (O'Malley, Melia)
• Ó Mathúna/Ó Mathghamhna (O'Mahony, O'Mahoney)
• Ó Maoileanaigh (Mullaney, Mullany)
• Ó Maoileoin (Malone)
• Ó Maoilriáin/Ó Riáin (Ryan)
• Ó Maoláin (Mullins, Mullin, Mullen, Moylan, Mullane)
• Ó Maolagáin (Milligan, Mulligan)
• Ó Maolcatha (O'Mulcahy, Mulcahy, Mulcaghy)
• Ó Maoldomhnaigh (Moloney, Maloney, Muldowney)
• Ó Maonaigh (Mooney, Meaney)
• Ó Meadhra/Ó Meára (O'Meara, Meara, O'Mara, Marah)
• Ó Móráin (Moran)
• Ó Mordha/Mac Giolla Mhuire (Moore)
• Ó Murchadha, Mac Murchaidh, Ó Muirchú (Murphy)
• Ó Muircheartaigh (Moriarty, Murtagh, Murtha)
• Ó Muireadhaigh (Murray)
• Ó (or De or Mac) Muiris/ Muirgheas (Morris)
• Ó Nialláin (Neylon, Nyland, Neilan)
• Ó Néill (O'Neill, O'Neil, O'Neal)
• Ó Raghallaigh (O'Riley, O'Reilly)
• Ó Rathaille (O'Rahilly)
• Ó Ríordáin (O'Riordan, Reardan)
• Ó Roideacháin (Redehan, Redican, Rodahan, Redington, Reddington, Reddan)
• Ó Ruairc (O'Rourke)
• Ó Sé (O'Shea)
• Ó Scannail(Scannell)
• Ó Seachnasaigh/ Uí Seachnasaigh (Shaughnessey, O'Shaughnessey, Shaughnessy, O'Shaughnessy)
• Ó Siadhail/Ó Siail (O'Sheil, O'Shiel, Sheils, Shiels, Shields, Sheeler)
• Ó Síocháin (Sheehan)
• Ó Siochfhradha (Shugrue, Sugrue, Sughrue)
• Ó Sirideain (Sheridan)
• Ó Sheonoin (Jennings)
• Ó Slatara (Slattery)
• Ó Sluagháin (Sloan, Sloane)
• Ó Súilleabháin (O'Sullivan)
• Ó Teamhnainn (Tynan)
• Ó Tnúthghail (Knowles)
• Ó Tuama (Twomey, Toomey)
• Ó Tuathaigh (Tuohy,Twohig,Touhy,Towey,Toohy,Toohey)
• Ó Tuathail (O'Toole, Toohill, Toal)
• Ó Tuathailán (Tolan, Toland, Toolan)
• Mac Ádaim (Adams, McAdams)
• Mac an Airchinnigh (McInerney/Kinnerk/Nerney)
• Mac Amhlaidh (McAuley, McAwley, McCauley, McGauley)
• Mac an Bhreithiún (Brown,Browne)
• Mac an Bháird (Ward, MacAward, McWard, MacEward, MacEvard, Macanward, M'Ward)
• Mac an Bheatha (McVeigh)
• Mac Aodha (Hughes, Hayes, McGee, Magee, McHugh, Mackey)
• Mac Aodhagain (Egan, McEgan)
• Mac Aoidh (McKee)
• Mac Carthaigh (McCarthy, MacCarthy)
• Mac Cinnéide (Kennedy)
• Mac Conchoille (Woods)
• Mac Conmara (McNamara, MacNamara)
• Mac Cormaic (McCormack)
• Mac Corraidh (McCorry, McCurdy)
• Mac Cosgair (Cosgrave, Cosgrove)
• Mac Craith (McGrath, Magrath)
• Mac Cuinn (Quinn)
• Mac Cuarta (McCourt)
• Mac Diarmada (McDermott)
• Mac Donnchadha (McDonough, McDonogh, McDonagh)
• Mac Dhuarcáin/Mac Dhurcáin/Ó Duarcáin/Ó Durcáin (Durkin, Durkan, Durcan)
• Mac Dubhdara (Darragh)
• Mac Eachaidh (Caffee)
• Mac Gioll (Giles)
• Mac Giolla (Gill, McGill, Magill, Page)
• Mac Giolla Easpaig (Gillespie)
• Mac Gilla Mhartain/Ó Mael Mairthin/Ó Mhairtin/Mac Mairtin (GilMartin, KilMartin, Martin, Martyn)
• Mac Giolla Bhríde (McBride)
• Mac Giolla Mhuire (Murray, Gilmore, Kilmurray)
• Mac Giolla Riabhaigh (Gallery, Gilrea, Kilrea)
• Mac Giolla Rua (Gilroy, Kilroy, McIlroy, McElroy)
• Mac Gowan (Gowan,Gow,Macgoba, and more)
• Mac Muireadhaigh/Ó Muireadhaigh (Murray)
• Mac Fheargail/Mac Fhearghaill (Cargill, Argill, Orgill, Corgill)
• Mac Fhearraigh/Mag Fhearraigh (McGarry, McCarry, Ferry, Farry)
• Mac Fhirbhisigh (Forbes)
• Mac Giolla Mo Chuda (MacGillacuddy)
• Mac Giolla Chathair (Carr)
• Mac Iomháir (McKeever)
• Mac Laifeartaigh (McClafferty, McClaverty, McCleverty, McLafferty, Laverty, Leverty, MacLafferty, McLafferty, MacLaverty, McLaverty, MacLeverty, McLeverty)
• Mac Maghnus (McManus)
• Mac Mathúna/Mac Mathghamhna (McMahon)
• Mac Muiris/ Mac Muirgheas (also Ó Muiris or, rarely, De Muiris) (Morris, Fitzmaurice)
• Mac Murchadha Caomhánach (Mac Murrough, Mac Morrow, Mac Murrough Kavanagh, Kavanagh)
• Mac Lochlainn/Mac Loughlin/Ó Mael Sechlainn/Ó Mael Sechnaill/ (MacLoughlin)
• Mac Piers (MacPierce/Pierce)
• Mac Raghnaill (McRannell, McReynolds, Reynolds, Grannell, Magranill, MacGrannell, Mac Raghnald, Mac Ranel, McRanel, MacRannel, Mac Ranell, MacRanall)
• Mac Riabhaigh (Mac Reevy, MacReevy, MacReavy, Mac/McCreevy, Mac/McGreevy)
• Mac Ruaidhrí/Mac Ruairí (Mac/McCreary, Mac/McReary)
• Mac Torcáill/Mac Thorcaill (Corkill, Orgkill, Thorkell)
• Mac Uidhir/Mag Uidhir (Maguire/McGuire)
• Mac Thoirealaigh (Curley/Corley)
• Mac Eochaidh (Keogh/Kehoe)
• Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh (Downey, Gildowney, Maloney, many others)

Viking surnames:

• Cotter, MacCottor, etc. (Mac Oitir - Old Norse Óttarsson, see also MacCottor)
• Doyle (Dubh Gall, Ó Dúill, Ó Dubhghaill)
• Finley, Fennelly (Fionn Ghall, Ó Fionnghaille)
• Harald (Haraldsson)
• Higgins (h-Uiginn, i.e., a Viking, Ó hUiginn)
• MacAuliffe/Auley/Cauley (Olsson, Mac Amhlaoibh)
• MacDougall, McDowell (Mac Dubhghaill)
• McGinley, McKinley (Fionn Ghall, Mac Fionnghaille)
• MacKitterick (Strigsson)
• MacManus (Magnusson, Mac Mánuis)
• MacSweeney (Svensson, Mac Suibhne)
• Wood (Wode, meaning mad; described Beserkers, Mac Giolla Choille)

Norman/Norman language surnames:

• Archdecon (le Ercedekne, Mac Óda)
• Barry (de Barri, de Barra)
• Brett (le Breton or le Bret)
• Brown (de Brun, de Brún)
• Burke (de Burgh, de Búrca)
• Butler (de Buitléir)
• Cheevers (la Chieve)
• Courcy (de Courcy)
• Dalton (de Alton or D'alton)
• Darcy (d'Arcy)
• Dillon (de Leon)
• Disney (d'Isney)
• Duke (le Duc, Diúc)
• Dukes (le Duc, de Diúc)
• Nagle (de Nagle)
• FitzGerald (fils de (son of) Gerald, Mac Gearailt)
• FitzHenry (fils de (son of) Henri, Mac Einrí)
• FitzMaurice (fils de (son of) Maurice, Mac Muiris)
• FitzStephen (fils de (son of) Stephen, Mac Stíofáin)
• FitzGibbon (fils de (son of) Gibbon)
• FitzHarris (fils de (son of) Harris)
• FitzSimon (fils de (son of) Simon)
• FitzWilliam (fils de (son of) Guillaume, "Mac Liam")
• Henneberry (de Hionburgha, de Hindenburg)
• Hussey (de Hose, Mac Eodhasa)
• Jordan (fitz Jordan, Ó Shiúrdáin)
• Lacey (de Lacy, de Lása)
• Landers (de Londres, de Londras)
• Loundon (de Loudon)
• Marren (de Marin)
• Martyn (fitz Martin)
• Morris (de Marisco, de Muiris, Mac Muiris, Ó Muiris)
• Prendergast (de Priondargás, Priondargás)
• Perry (de Poire)
• Plunkett (Blanquet, Pluincéad)
• Power (le Poer, de Paor)
• Roche (de Róiste)
• Sweetman (Suatman)
• Tobin (Ó Toibín, Ó Toibinigh)
• Tuite (de Tiúit, Mac Con Fhiacla)
• Vance (de Vaux)
• Waldron (de Bhaldraithe)
• Wall (de Laval, de Bhál)
• White/Whyte (de Witt, de Faoite, Mac Giolla Bháin)

Dutch surnames:

• Baldwin (Boudewijn)
• Fleming (vlaming, Pleiminn)

Welsh surnames:

• Barrett (Bairéid, Barόid)
• Caddell (ap Cadel)
• Cadogan (ap Cadwgn)
• Conway (ap Conwy, Mac Conbhuí, Ó Conbhuí)
• Griffin (ap Gruffydd, Ó Gríofa)
• Joyce (Sais, Seoige)
• Merrick (ap Meruig)
• Price (ap Rhys, Rís)
• Rerys (ap Rerys)
• Taffe (Daffydd)
• Walsh (Breathnach)

Cornish surnames:

• Penrose (ap Rhys)
• Trevelyan

Anglo-Saxon surnames:

• Ayleward (Ailwerd)
• Dolphin (Dolfin)
• Lawless (laighles)
• Penney (Pingin)
• Sherlock (Scurlóg)
• Skerrett (Huscarl)
• Williams (MacLiam)
• Whyte (Fwyte)

Gallowglass surnames:

• MacAllister
• MacCabe
• MacDonnell
• MacSweeney
• MacCaillein (Campbell)
• MacInnes

Normanised Gaelic surnames:

• Fitzpatrick (Mac Giolla Phádraig)

Gaelicised Norman-era surnames:

• Mac Coisdealbhaigh (son of Josclyn de Nangle); anglicised as Costello.
• Mac Fheorais (son of Piers de Bermingham); anglicised as Corish.
• Mac Giobúin (son of Gilbert de Burgh); anglicised as Gibbons.
• Mac Sheoinín (son of Seán Óg de Burgh); anglicised as Jennings.
• Mac Uilic (son of Ulick de Burgh of Umhall); anglicised as Gillick.
• Mac Siurtáin (Jordan), patronymic of the d'Exeter family.

List of example firstnames and surnames

Many Irish people use English (or at least anglicised) forms of their names in English-language contexts and Irish forms in Irish-language contexts. The Irish names of some famous people include:

English/anglicised name	Irish name
Bertie Ahern	Parthalán Ó hEachthairn
Thomas Ashe	Tomás Pádraig Ághas
Harry Boland	Énrí Eoin Ó Beóláin
Diamond Jim Brady	Séamas Buth Chanain Mac Bradaigh
Moya Brennan	Máire Ní Bhraonáin
Patrick Brontë	Padraig mac Aedh Ó Proinntigh
Daniel J. Callaghan	Dónal J. Ó Cellachán
William M. Callaghan	Liam M. Ó Cellachán
Art Carney	Art Liam Matthew Ó Ciarnaigh
Michael Cavanaugh {actor}	Mícheál Caomhánach
Erskine Childers	Earchta Ó Slatiascaigh
Michael John Collins	Mícheál Eoin Ó Coileáin
William Cosgrave	Liam Mac Cosgair
William Thomas Cosgrave	Liam Tomás Mac Cosgair
John Charles Daly	Seán Searlás Ó Dálaigh
Walt Disney	Walt d'Isney
F. Scott Fitzgerald	Proinsias Scott Mac Gearailt
Garret FitzGerald	Gearóid Mac Gearailt
Henry Ford	Énrí Ó Fuarráin
William Russell Grace	Liam Ruiséil Grace
Arthur Griffith	Art Ó Gríobhtha
Charles Haughey	Cathal Ó hEochaidh
Douglas Hyde	Dubhghlas de hÍde
Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet	Liam Mac Seáin - O’Neill Uí Feá
Geoffrey Keating	Seathrún Céitinn
John F. Kennedy	Seán Mac Gearailt Ó Cinnéide
P. J. Kennedy	Pádraic Seosamh Ó Cinnéide
Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.	Seosamh Pádraic Ó Cinnéide
Robert F. Kennedy	Roibeárd Proinsias Ó Cinnéide
Ted Kennedy	Éadbhard Ó Mordha Ó Cinnéide
Kitty Kiernan	Caitríona Nic Thiarnáin
Jack Lynch	Seán Ó Loingsigh
Mary McAleese	Máire Bean Mhic Ghiolla Íosa (née Máire Ní Lionnacháin)
Kevin McCarthy (actor)	Caoimhin Ó Cárthaigh
Randolph McCoy	Randolph Mac Aoidh
Colm Meaney	Colm Ó Maonaigh
Liam Mellows	Liam Ó Maoilíosa
Annie Moore (immigrant)	Aine O Mordha
Quinn Moore	Cuinn O Mordha
Richard Mulcahy	Risteárd Séamus Ó Maolchatha
John Carroll O'Connor	Seán Chearbhaill Ó Conchobhair
Charles Carroll of Carrollton	Cathal Chearbhaill
Turlough O'Carolan	Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin
Kevin O'Higgins	Caoimhín Ó hUiginn
Seán T. O'Kelly	Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh
Gerald S. O'Loughlin	Gearailt S. Ó Laighin
Grace O'Malley	Gráinne Ní Mháille
Audie Murphy	Audie Ó Murchú
Ed O'Neill	Éadbhard Ó Néill
Francis O'Neill	Proinsias Ó Néill
Thomas Francis O'Rahilly	Tomás Phroinsias Ó Rathaille
Joseph O'Sullivan	Seosamh Ó Súilleabháin
Patrick Pearse	Pádraig Mac Piarais
Joseph Mary Plunkett	Seosamh Máire Pluincéad
John Edward Redmond	Seán Éamonn Mac Réamainn
Albert Reynolds	Ailbhe Mac Raghnaill
Hayden Rorke	Liam Énrí Ó Ruairc
Mary Robinson	Máire Bean Mhic Róibín (née Máire de Búrca)
Cornelius Ryan	Conchúir Ó Riain
John F. O'Ryan	Seán Phroinsias Ó Riain
Paddy Ryan	Pádraig Ó Riain
Austin Stack	Aibhistín de Staic
John Sullivan	Seán Ó Súilleabháin
John L. Sullivan	Seán Labhrás Ó Súilleabháin
Gerard Toal	Gearóid Ó Tuathail
William Tobin	Liam Tobin
M. Emmet Walsh	Mícheál Emmett Breathnach

In some cases, for example Garrett FitzGerald, "Mac Gearailt" is a translation to Irish from the Norman-derived "Fitzgerald".

There is one very interesting anglicized form of an Irish surname. (O')Hassan may have an eastern look but in Ireland it is the anglicized form of Ó hOsáin. It is to be distinguished from Ó hOisín and Ó hOiseáin (see Hession and Hishon). In County Londonderry, where it is numerous, it is spelt Hassan, Hassen, Hasson, Hassin and O'Hassan.

Other people are better known by their Irish name than by their English name:

Irish (Gaelic) name	English/anglicised form
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh - though neither Dubhaltach or Fibrisigh correspond to the Anglicised forms	Dudley Forbes
Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh	Roderick O'Flaherty
Flaithrí Ó Maolconaire	Florence Conry (1560–1629, Archbishop of Tuam)
Seán Bán Breathnach	"White" John Walsh
Séamus Ó Grianna	James Greene - though Grianna does not correspond etymologically to the English name "Green" or "Greene"
Gráinne Seoige	Grace Joyce
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin	Ellen Cullen
Antoine Ó Raifteiri	Anthony Raftery
Proinsias Mac Cana	Francis McCann
Proinsias De Rossa	Frank Ross
Pádraig Ó Riain	Patrick Ryan
Padraig Ó Síocháin	P. A. Sheehan
Pádraig Ó Fiannachta	Patrick Finnerty
Lorcan Ua Tuathail	Laurence O'Toole
Dara Ó Briain	Darragh O'Brien
Doireann Ní Bhriain	Doreen O'Brien
Cathal Brugha	Charles William St. John Burgess
Éamon de Valera	Edward De Valero

External links

• Pretanic World - Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English Surnames and their Associations with Mythology and Ancient History
• The Origins of Irish Surnames
• Find Irish Family Names and their meanings
• Full listing of all Irish first names, their origins, legends and meaning
• Concise list of Irish first names and meanings