THERE are Irish surnames littered across the world.
So much so that many of them have invaded other cultures, particularly those in western Europe and the United States.
Most of them are steeped in history, and can be translated back into Gaelic to give one heck of an insight into your roots.
So with that in mind, here's 17 of the most common Irish surnames, and what they mean:
Murphy
Gaelic Equivalent ó Murchadha
Meaning sea-battler
Kelly
Gaelic Equivalent ó Ceallaigh
Meaning bright-headed
O’Sullivan
Gaelic Equivalent ó Súilleabháin
Meaning dark-eyed
Walsh
Gaelic Equivalent Breathnach
Meaning Welshman
Smith
Gaelic Equivalent Mac Gabhann
Meaning son of the smith
O’Brien
Gaelic Equivalent ó Briain
Meaning high, noble
Byrne
Gaelic Equivalent ó Broin
Meaning a raven
Ryan
Gaelic Equivalent ó Maoilriain
Meaning king
O’Connor
Gaelic Equivalent ó Conchobhair
Meaning patron of warriors
O’Neill
Gaelic Equivalent ó Néill
Meaning from Niall of the Nine Hostages
O’Reilly
Gaelic Equivalent ó Raghallaigh
Meaning descendant of Raghallach
Doyle
Gaelic Equivalent ó Dubhghaill
Meaning dark foreigner
McCarthy
Gaelic Equivalent Mac Carthaigh
Meaning loving person
Gallagher
Gaelic Equivalent ó Gallchobhair
Meaning lover of foreigners
O’Doherty
Gaelic Equivalent ó Dochartaigh
Meaning hurtful
Kennedy
Gaelic Equivalent ó Cinnéide
Meaning helmet headed
Lynch
Gaelic Equivalent ó Loinsigh
Meaning seafarer, exile
** Originally Published on: Oct 3, 2019
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