A Chronicle of Identity: The Top 100 Irish Surnames

In the tapestry of Irish history, surnames offer a fascinating glimpse into the country’s social fabric and genealogical roots. Drawing from the study “A Survey of Irish Surnames 1992-97” by scholar Sean J Murphy, this list presents an exploratory journey through the top 100 Irish surnames. These family names, embedded with historical significance, provide a tangible link to the Ireland of the past – painting a vibrant portrait of the land’s cultural evolution, regional nuances, and the spirit of its people. Join us as we delve into the fascinating stories, etymological origins, and the regional prevalence of these remarkable Irish surnames.

Top 100 Irish Surnames

Rank – Surname (with % variants)

1. Murphy
2. Kelly 97%, O’Kelly 3%
3. Walsh 94%, Walshe 6%
4. O’Connor 89%, Connor 9%, Connors 2%
5. O’Sullivan 89%, Sullivan 11%
6. Byrne 95%, O’Byrne 5%
7. O’Brien 98%, Brien 2%
8. Ryan
9. Smith 52%, Smyth 48%
10. O’Neill 92%, Neill 8%
11.  O’Reilly 61%, Reilly 39%
12. M(a)cCarthy 97%, Carthy 3%
13. Doyle
14. Brown 56%, Browne 44%
15. Murray
16. Doherty 85%, O’Doherty 12%, Dougherty 3%
17. Burke 80%, Bourke 20%
18. Lynch
19. M(a)cLaughlin 51%, M(a)cLoughlin 41%, Loughlin 6%, Laughlin 2%
20. Quinn 99%, Quin 1%
21. Kennedy
22. Moore
23. Gallagher
24. Johnston 86%, Johnson 12%, Johnstone 2%
25. Campbell
26. Brennan
27. Clarke 95%, Clark 5%
28. Wilson
29. Dunne 92%, Dunn 8%
30. Daly 99%, O’Daly 1%
31. O’Connell 88%, Connell 12%
32. Martin
33. Whelan 64%, Phelan 36%
34. Flynn 84%, O’Flynn 16%
35. M(a)cMahon 71%, Mahon 29%
36. Farrell 86%, O’Farrell 14%
37. Carroll 85%, O’Carroll 15%
38. Collins
39. Nolan 99%, O’Nolan 1%
40. Connolly
41. O’Donoghue 53%, Donohoe 21%, Donoghue 13%, Donohue 8%, O’Donohoe 3%, O’Donohue 2%
42. Thompson 97%, Thomson 3%
43. Fitzgerald
44. Hughes
45. Maguire 85%, M(a)cGuire 15%
46. O’Donnell 98%, Donnell 2% (est)
47. White 81%, Whyte 19%
48. M(a)cGrath 99%, Magrath 1%
49. Duffy 99%, O’Duffy 1%
50. Kavanagh 93%, Cavanagh 7%
51. M(a)cCormack 64%, M(a)cCormick34%, Cormack 2%
52. O’Mahony 75%, Mahony 14%, O’Mahoney 7%, Mahoney 4%
53. Power
54. O’Callaghan 70%, Callaghan 30%
55. Stewart 91%, Stuart 9%
56. Sweeney 74%, M(a)cSweeney 26%
57. Boyle 83%, O’Boyle 17%
58. O’Shea 98%, Shea 2%
59. Brady
60. Fitzpatrick 96%, Patrick 4%
61. Healy
62. Donnelly
63. O’Donovan 76%, Donovan 24%
64. O’Leary 99%, Leary 1%
65. M(a)cKenna 93%, Kenna 7%
66. Hayes
67. Robinson
68. Graham
69. Kenny
70. Keane 99%, O’Keane 1%
71. Cunningham
72. Barry
73. Moran
74. Kane 59%, O’Kane 41%
75. Casey
76. M(a)cDonnell 97%, Donnell 3% (est)
77. Hamilton
78. Keogh 65%, Kehoe 31%, McKeogh 4%
79. Foley
80. Buckley
81. O’Keeffe 95%, O’Keefe 5%
82. Ward
83. M(a)cDonald 95%, Donald 5%
84. Mullan 46%, Mullen 41%, Mullin 12%, O’Mullan 1%
85. Reid 96%, Read 2%, Reed 2%
86. M(a)cCann
87. Curran
88. Scott
89. Roche
90. Maher
91. Griffin 98%, Griffen 2%
92. Bell
93. Sheehan 85%, Sheahan 15%
94. O’Dwyer 64%, Dwyer 36%
95. Moloney 73%, Maloney 23%, Molony 4%
96. Magee 66%, M(a)cGee 34%
97. Higgins 96%, O’Higgins 4%
98. M(a)cKeown 74%, M(a)cKeon 21%, Keown 5%
99. Cullen
100. Lyons

You can access the full study by Sean J. Murphy by clicking here.