Gaelic surnames are patronymics that is they indicate patrilineal descent.

Surname meanings ireland. The vast majority of Gaelic Irish surnames were created during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Many of the Irish surnames with which you are familiar Murphy Sweeny Ryan etc. Anglicized form of the surname Ó Fallamhain meaning descendant of Fallamhan the name being a byname meaning leader derived from follamhnas meaning supremacy.

Mac means son of whilst Ó means grandson of. The majority of surnames are derived from the name of a male ancestor. The Cliffs of Moher.

Mohan Irish Anglicized form of Irish Ó Mocháin meaning descendant of Mochán. Lillis Moore Burns Image. Most Common Irish Surnames And Their Meanings.

Use the list below to find your last name and learn about its meaning and origins. Most Popular Irish Last Names on FamilyEducation. If these names somehow arent ringing a bell the writer also helpfully chooses photos of celebrities from truly all.

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. Mac surnames are generally of a much later date than Ó. Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Maolagáin meaning descendant of Maolagán a given name derived from maol meaning bald or tonsured.

It should be noted that the Scottish Gaels were actually descendants of Gaelic emigrants to Scotland. 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. Thus we find numerous insulting surnames such as Dullard meaning a hard and conceited man.