Irish Surnames A-B

Posted in: Irish Surnames |

Surnames from Ireland beginning with the letters A and B.

Name Variants In Irish Location Origin
Aherne Herne, Hearne, Heron, Aherin Clare, Cork, Waterford Gaelic
Common for many centuries.
Allen Donegal, Cork Scottish, Norman
Donegal Allens have Scottish ancestry, from the MacAllens who came to Ireland during the 16th Century. The Southern Allens are of Norman origin.
Balfe Kildare, Meath Viking or Anglo-Norman
Origin unclear
Barrett Cork, Galway, Mayo Norman-French
Barry Cork Anglo-Norman
Beirne Norse
Possibly a derivation of Bjorn
Belton de Bhéalatún Dublin Anglo-Norman
From de Welton
Blake Galway, Meath Norman-French
Derives from the nickname ‘Le Blaca’ (the Black) given to a member of the Caddell family who was called which evolved to Blake.
Boland Norse
Boyle Donegal
Brady MacBrádaigh Cavan Gaelic
Breen Kerry, Clare, Wexford Fermanagh Gaelic
Brennan O Braonain Mac Branain Widespread, Kilkenny, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon Gaelic
The Kilkenny Brennans were were put off their lands at the time of the arrival of the Normans but stayed around and became notorious outlaws. The names is very common there, especially in the Castlecomer area. The Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon Brennans are descendents of Cheiftains in an area around Roscommon.
Brody MacBruaideadha Clare
Brown Antrim, Derry, Down English
Not to be confused with Browne. which is of different origin
Browne Galway Norman-French
Originally called ‘le Brun’, Lord Oranmore and Browne and the Earls of Altamont are members of this family.
Buckley Ó Buachalla Cork, Kerry Gaelic
Irish name simply means “boy”.
Burke Bourke, de Burgh, de Burgo Widespread Norman-French
Butler Widespread, Kilkenny Norman
Very important Norman-Irish family, originating with Theobald Fitzwalter who was appointed Chief Butler of Ireland by Henry II in 1177. The Butlers of Ormonde built Kilkenny Castle.
Byrne O’Byrne Ó Broin Widespread, Wicklow Gaelic
Byrne, with or without the “O” prefix is a common Irish name. Ó Broin comes from Branach “raven”, a son of Maolmordha, 11th C. King of Leinster.

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