400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

The famous Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, vanquished the Catholic king.

The fashion for using surnames as firsts has extended beyond the familiar Morgan and Parker to choices such as Cohen and O'Brien to -- why not? -- this quintessentially Irish name with the friendly o ending.

Sheenan updates the longtime Irish favorite Shannon, which ranked in the US Top 100 through much of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Shanon fell off the Top 1000 about ten years ago, but Sheenan is a worthy substitute. You might also consider it a form of Sheena, itself a form of Jane or John, with the meaning "God is gracious".

Energetic name that's keen to please.

One of the most usable of the fashionable O'Names.

Runyon is an Irish surname with considerable flair; some will connect it with Guys and Dolls writer Damon Runyon.

Keating is familiar as a surname but unexpected as a first. It boasts the always energetic -ing ending.

The Gaelic name Giolla Dhomhnagh ("servant of Donagh") turned into the patronymic Mac Giolla Dhomhnagh, which was whispered down the alley until it became MacGillowney, and eventually Looney. Although it's similar in sound to popular Luna, this isn't an Irish surname that's likely to get much use.

When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice, with the nice three-syllable lilt of of such other Irish surnames as Finnegan and Flanagan. It can also be spelled Morrisey.

Too fiscal.

Irish surname-names are hugely popular for girls in the US these days, with Riley and Kennedy ranking high on the official popularity lists. Connery is uncommon, but certainly attractive and usable.

Although highly associated with the internet security company, McAfee joined the reams of possible baby names when it was used for the female character McAfee Westbrook in the Netflix series The Politician.

Energetic Connelly variation that works better for girls than for boys.