Irish Surnames

Although many of the most common surnames or family names in Ireland have a history that stretches back to our Celtic ancestors, quite a few are not of Gaelic origin at all.

A history of invasion and occupation has given us a rich store of Norman, English, Huguenot and even Viking family names.

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A majority, though a small one, of Irish surnames are of Gaelic origin. Many are now used primarily in their Anglicized form or have been subtlety changed in translation to English.

The use of O’ or Mac/Mc before a name is frequent and a particularly Gaelic form of name, which also occurs in Scotland.

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The second most common set of Irish surnames are those of Norman, Welsh-Norman or Anglo-Norman origin.

Although names like Fitzgerald and Tobin now seem very much Irish names, they are actually of French origin, and tend still to be found most commonly in those parts of Ireland were the Normans were strongest.

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Among the surnames found in Ireland which date to the time of Norse or Viking invasions are fairly rare ones like Dromgoole and Trant, but also commoner ones such as Doyle and MacManus.

But recent research suggests that their main contribution may have been greater than that – they may be responsible for introducing the concept of a surname to Ireland.

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Given that the English have been coming to Ireland one way or another for centuries, and the proximity of the two countries, it is not surprising that a good number of English names have become common in Ireland.

Not all English sounding names are what they seem to be however, many are Gealic names which were Anglicised in a way that makes them appear to be the same as a name from England.

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Surnames found in Ireland which date to time in the 16th and 17th centuries when French Huguenots or German Palatines fleeing religious persecution in their home countries came to Ireland.

While the Huguenot population was at one time fairly large, these names are not now common though they are still seen in some street names and

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Surnames from Ireland beginning with the letters A and B, from Aherne to Byrne

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Surnames from Ireland beginning with the letter C, from Cahill to Cusack

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Surnames from Ireland beginning with the letter D, from Daly to Dunne

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Surnames from Ireland beginning with the letters E, F and G, from Egan to Guinness

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