It should be noted that the Scottish Gaels were actually descendants of Gaelic emigrants to Scotland.

Surname meanings ireland. The Cliffs of Moher. Anglicized form of the surname Ó Fallamhain meaning descendant of Fallamhan the name being a byname meaning leader derived from follamhnas meaning supremacy. Lillis Moore Burns Image.

If these names somehow arent ringing a bell the writer also helpfully chooses photos of celebrities from truly all. This is a collection of surnames that developed from the work of the Irish Folklore Commission and it is being made available here under an open licence by Gaois Fiontar Scoil na Gaeilge DCU and the National Folklore Collection UCD. Originally they werent surnames at all but just a way of distinguishing similarly named individuals.

Use the list below to find your last name and learn about its meaning and origins. Gaelic surnames are patronymics that is they indicate patrilineal descent. Mac means son of whilst Ó means grandson of.

Many of the Irish surnames with which you are familiar Murphy Sweeny Ryan etc. Come from the culture of the Gaels. What is the meaning of Irish surnames starting with O or Mac Strong indicators of Irish roots are found in Irish last names that have the terms O or Mac as a prefix to the surname.

Mac surnames are generally of a much later date than Ó. Thus we find numerous insulting surnames such as Dullard meaning a hard and conceited man. The majority of surnames are derived from the name of a male ancestor.

Niamh meaning effulgence dazzling light according to The Revival of Irish Names 1886 from the Irish Fireside and pronounced NeeveTomas O Flannghaile Celtic Surnames For the Tongue of the Gael 1896 however gives the meaning of Niamh as the splendid but Patrick Kennedy in a note to the Progress of the Wicked Bard Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts also gives. Mohan Irish Anglicized form of Irish Ó Mocháin meaning descendant of Mochán. Most Popular Irish Last Names on FamilyEducation.