| Abbott | Quite numerous: English: in Ireland 14 cent. Probably a nickname. Ir. Abóid. |
| Acton | mod.nos: Galway etc: English: in Ireland 17 cent., scattered. |
| Adam | very numerous N.E.Ulster and Dublin. English & Scottish; synonyms: Aidy, Eadie. Also anglicisations of Mac Adaim, Mac Adamóid, Mac Conshnámha, q.v. |
| Adamson | numerous N.E.Ulster and Dublin. English, 14 cent. As Adams. |
| Agar | fairly rare: English, in Kilkenny 18 cent, now mainly Dublin & Carlow. Synonym of Algar & Elgar in England. Perhaps "elf-spear". DBS. |
| Agate | Very rare, Belfast. English, "at the gate". |
| Aingléis | English: líonmhar: go forleathan, Luimneach & Tiobraid Árann go sonrach. Ainm a thug na Normannaigh ar a gcomrádaithe Sasanacha. Féach Ingléis, leis. SGG. |
| Ainscough | rare, Dublin. Probably English toponymic. |
| Airey | rare, Cork, Belfast. English "dweller by the gravel bank" - DBS. |
| Alcock | mod.numbers, Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Carlow. English 17 cent. |
| Allan | mainly with "en", numerous in N.E. Ulster but well-represented in all provinces. Scottish and English, also anglicisation of Ó h-Ailín. |
| Allingham | rare, Fermanagh, Sligo & Leitrim. English placename. |
| Allison | fairly numerous: mainly N.E. Ulster but some in all provinces. Scottish & English. |
| Allshire | rare, Cork city, English. |
| Allsop | rare, Belfast, Dublin. English, from Alsop, Derbyshire. |
| Alton | rare and scattered. Long established in Ireland. English placename. See also Dalton. Irish Altún. |
| Anderson | very numerous E.Ulster, well-represented all areas except Mid-West. Scottish & English. Ir. Mac Andréis. The Barretts of Mayo took the name Mac Aindriú. |
| Andrews | Numerous in N.E. Ulster and scattered elsewhere. Mainly Scottish but also English. Derivation Greek, andréas = manly. |
| Angland | rare: N.Cork only. See England & English. Ir. Angléis. |
| Ankers | rare: Dublin. English: synonyms: Anchor, Annacker. DBS. |
| Annette | numerous, Belfast, Down etc. English. DBS. |
| Anthony | Quite numerous: Waterford and S.E., scattered in Ulster. English. SI. |
| Applebee | Quite numerous: Dublin & Cork. English placename. |
| Apsley | fairly rare: Ulster. Presumably English. Apps is an aspen tree. |
| Archdeacon | rare: Cork etc. English, 13 cent in Kilkenny. Assumed patronymic Mac Óda, from Norman forename Odo, so this family generally bears the surname Cody. |
| Archer | numerous: E.Ulster, Dublin, Cork. Ir. Áirséir. English associated with Kilkenny since 13 cent.MIF. |
| Arlow | Quite numerous: Belfast & N.Down. English; from placename Harlow. |
| Armitage | Quite numerous: all provinces but mainly in Ossory. English, 17 cent. From the placename Hermitage. |
| Arnold | numerous: E.Ulster, Dublin, Cavan/Meath. English, in Ireland 13 cent. |
| Arundel | rare: Dublin & W.Cork. Ir. Airinnéal. English, from place in Sussex. MacLysacht says it is pronounced Aringale locally. In Cork 13 cent. SI. |
| Ashbridge | rare: N.E.Ulster. English, locative name. |
| Ashby | rare Belfast etc.: English, from numerous placenames. DBS. |
| Ashe | fairly numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Midlands and notably W.Kerry. Ir. Ághas. English. In Ireland 14 cent. See also Nash. IF. |
| Ashfield | fairly rare: Belfast. English locative. |
| Ashley | rare: Dublin. English locative. |
| Ashton | fairly rare: Belfast, N.Antrim etc. English, southern version of Ashby. |
| Ashwood | rare: Belfast, N.Down. English, placename in Staffs. DOS. |
| Askin | Quite numerous: Scattered, W.Ulster & S.E.Leinster. Ir. Ó h-Oiscín. English but also related to Heskin, a Connacht name, q.v. DBS & SGG. |
| Atkin | Quite numerous: Cork city etc. English, a pet form of Adam. 17 cent. in Cork.MIF. |
| Attley | rare: Dublin area.English, "at the wood/clearing" - DOS. |
| Attride | Very rare: Carlow. English, in England: "John at ride (clearing)" 1446 - DBS. |
| Attridge | fairly rare: W.Cork. English, occurs as Etteridge in England. DBS. |
| Attwell | rare: Dublin & Ulster. English, from Devon/Somerset. Also as Atwool. |
| Attwood | rare: Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Auden | rare; Newry: English, also as Alden. DBS. |
| Audley | fairly rare: Belfast area & Galway etc. English 16 cent in Down. Appearance in Conamara suggests Irish origin Woulfe gives Ó h-Adhlaigh, q.v. SI & SGG. |
| Austin | numerous: widespread, mainly Dublin & Belfast. Ir. Mac Aibhistín. Woulfe also gives Oistín. English, 14 cent. SI & SGG. |
| Averall | Quite numerous: Tyrone etc. Ir. Aibhril. English, 17 cent.MIF. |
| Avery | fairly rare: Ulster & Dublin. English & Scottish. Ir. Mac Aimhréidh, aimhréidh, dishevelled: see Mac Cavera. SI. |
| Axon | rare: Belfast area. English. DBS. |
| Ayling | rare: Derry etc. English, from O.E. personal name. DBS. |
| Aylmer | fairly rare: Dublin, S.E.Leinster. Ir. Aighlmear. English, 13 cent. SI & DBS. |
| Ayre | rare: Belfast,Dublin & E.Leinster. Ir. Iarsach. English & Scottish. Also occurs as Eyre, q.v., in Connacht. DBS & SS. |
| Babington | rare: Derry etc. English. Evidently toponymic. Rare in England. |
| Backus | rare: N.Antrim. English locative, derived from "bakehouse". SI. |
| Bagnall | fairly numerous: Mid-Leinster, Newry etc. English 16 cent. when they were located in Carlow. Also anglicisation of Ó Beigléinn, a medical family of Longford. |
| Bagott | fairly rare: E.Limerick & W.Midlands. Ir. Bagóid. English, 13 cent. SI. |
| Bailey | numerous: Leinster, Munster and especially Ulster, where the Scottish Baillie is prevalent. Ir. Báille. English, in Ireland since mediaeval times. Originally a royal official, in Scotland it is a local councillor. |
| Bain | Quite numerous Down etc. Scottish, from Gaelic bàn (white, fair). However this name is also English and Reaney attributes it to OE ban meaning bone. SI & DBS. |
| Baines | Very rare. Down etc. English. See Bain and Bayne(s). |
| Baker | numerous: widespread except Connacht. Ir. Bácaeir. English, 13 cent. SI. |
| Baldrick | rare; Derry, Donegal. English, 17 cent. Teutonic "bold-ruler". SI. |
| Bale | rare: Dublin. English, relating to outer courtyard of castle. |
| Ball | numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Leinster. Early English settlers. Ir. Bál. |
| Ballance | Quite numerous: Down & Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Ballinger | rare: Clare. English of French origin: boulanger? Ir. Bailinséir. |
| Balmer | fairly numerous: Belfast & N.Antrim. Scottish or English. A dealer in spices. SS. |
| Bamford | numerous: N.Down, Belfast. English, present since 17 cent. SI. |
| Banford | fairly rare: N.Down. Presumably English. |
| Bannister | Quite numerous: Belfast & Dublin. English, mainly 17 cent. SI. |
| Barclay | numerous: N.Antrim, Belfast, Derry, Donegal etc. English, from Berkeley in Gloucestershire. In Ireland since 17 cent. SI. |
| Barfoot | fairly rare: Magherfelt, Cookstown etc. Scottish & English. |
| Barker | numerous: Dublin, Ulster and scattered. Ir. Barcar. An English occupational name in Ireland 16-17 cent. SI |
| Barlow | Quite numerous: widespread: Tipperary, Sligo, Roscommon, Down, Armagh. English, 16th cent. SI. |
| Barnard | rare: E.Tyrone etc. English. From Teutonic "bear-brave". DBS. |
| Barnes | numerous: Belfast, Dublin and E.Coast. Ir. Bearnais, Ó Bearáin. Generally English and Scottish but also synonym for Barron, q.v. SI & SGG. |
| Barnett | fairly numerous: Ulster, Dublin, W.Cork. English, 17 cent in Ulster. |
| Barr | numerous: Ulster. Ir. Ó Bairr. But mainly Scottish of 17 cent., it is also an English name of various derivations. DBS. |
| Barrington | Quite numerous: Leinster and Munster. English, 17 cent and a notable family in Limerick. It is sometimes an anglicisation of Ó Bearáin which was associated with Thomond. IF. |
| Barrows | Quite numerous: Cork, Antrim etc. English. DBS. |
| Bartholomew | Quite numerous: Belfast, N.Armagh. Ir. Mac Pharláin. English & Scottish. Black takes the view that Ir. Partholon has no connection with the biblical name but this is contradicted by Ó Corráin & Maguire. See Mac Farlane. SS & GPN. |
| Bartlett | Quite numerous: E.Ulster. English, a diminutive of Bartholomew. |
| Bartley | fairly numerous: Ulster & Dublin. English but also anglicisation of Mac Pharthaláin, (mod. Mac Pharláin) i.e. Scottish MacFarlane. SS. |
| Barton | numerous: Belfast, N.Antrim etc. Ir. de Bartún. English since 13 cent. The principal family came in 1599 and settled in Fermanagh. MIF. |
| Bass | Quite numerous: concentration in South East, otherwise scattered. English, "low stature". |
| Bassett | Quite numerous: Down, Dublin etc. Ir. Baiséid. English, 13 cent. Short, low stature. SI. |
| Bastable | rare: Dublin. Ir. de Bastábla. Formerly associated with Cork & Kerry. Derived from English town Barnstaple.MIF. |
| Batchelor | fairly rare: Belfast area. English & Scottish. "a novice in arms". |
| Bateman | Quite numerous: Cork, Belfast etc. English, in Ireland since 13 cent. Generally associated with W.Cork & Kerry. "A servant of Bate (Bartholomew)". MIF. |
| Bates | numerous: E.Ulster, Wexford, Dublin. Ir. de Báth. English, 17 cent. |
| Batt | fairly rare: Dublin & Cork. English, various origins suggested by Cottle, but most likely would be Bartholomew, similar to Bates etc. |
| Battersby | mod. numbers: E.Ulster, Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Bayley | fairly rare: Carlow etc. English, synonym of Bailey. |
| Bayliss | rare: Belfast. English, also probably variant of Bailey. |
| Baylor | rare: E.Cork. Beacom -on: mod. nos.: Fermanagh etc. English locative name. |
| Beades | rare: Midlands, Roscommon. Ir. na bPaidir, which seems a gaelicisation of an English name derived from the old personal name Bede. |
| Beale | Quite numerous: Cork, Down etc. English toponymic. |
| Beamish | Quite numerous: Cork, Sth East, Ulster. English, 16 cent when they settled in Kerry and have been associated with that area and Cork.MIF. |
| Beare | fairly rare: Ulster & Dublin. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Beasley | fairly rare: N.Kerry. Ir. Béaslaí. English, 17 cent. A notable family of Ballybunion. |
| Beck | fairly rare: Carlow & Ulster. English, early in Ireland. Also, possibly, Ir. Ó Béice. |
| Beckett | numerous: E.Ulster, scattered in Leinster. Ir. Beicéid. English, from French bec. |
| Becton | rare: Dublin. English but very rare there. |
| Bedford | fairly rare: Limerick etc. English toponymic, associated with Limerick. |
| Beecher | Quite numerous: Cork & Waterford. English, 16 cent. |
| Beechinor | fairly rare: Cork. English but rare there. |
| Beers | fairly rare: N.Down etc. English: relating to "bear" rather than drink. |
| Bell | Very numerous: Ulster etc. Ir. Mac Giolla'Chloig, a gaelicisation of the very English name Bell, which is also very common in Scotland. Derivations are many. DOS. |
| Bellingham | rare: N.E.Ulster, Westmeath. Ir. Beilleagam. English who settled in Louth in 17 cent and gave name to Castlebellingham, Ir. Baile an Ghearlánaigh. SI. |
| Belton | Quite numerous: Midlands, Galway etc. Ir. Béalatún. English, 17 cent. See Weldon. SI. |
| Benn | fairly rare: Limerick. English, see Bennis. |
| Bennis | fairly rare: Limerick City. English, 17 cent. Apparently a diminutive of Benedict. |
| Benson | numerous: Ulster mainly, also Limerick City and N.Connacht. Ir. Mac Binéid, but the Connacht Bensons are an anglicisatiom of Mac Giolla Dé, which also occurs as Gildea. Benson is of English origin long established in Ireland, and dimin. of Benedict. SGG. |
| Bent | fairly rare: Wexford etc. English, "dweller by the grassy plain" DBS. |
| Bentley | Quite numerous: Belfast and scattered in the south. English, mainly 17 cent but was known earlier in Ireland. Derivation similar to Bent. SI. |
| Benton | rare: Dublin, Belfast, Maghera. Another of the English "bent-grass" derivatives. |
| Beresford | Quite numerous: Antrim, Waterford etc. Ir. Dúinsméarach. (a translation as of "Berry's Fort"). English who came to Ulster in 17 cent and later became prominent in Waterford. |
| Bernard | fairly rare: Cork etc. Ir. Ó Bearnáin. This is also English and family name of the Earls of Bandon. See Barnane and Barnard. |
| Berry | fairly numerous: Antrim, Midlands, South East, Mayo/Galway. Ir. Ó Béara. Woulfe notes the Irish name in Offaly and Mayo. Elsewhere, it is probably English of 17 cent provenance and a synonym of Bury, the placename. DBS. |
| Berryman | rare: Armagh, Down etc. English, "servant at the manor-house". DBS. |
| Berwick | rare: Dublin etc. An English toponymic as well as one derived from the Scottish Border town. OE berwic "barley farm". DBS. |
| Best | numerous: Belfast, Down etc. English, 17 cent. First in Leinster and later in Ulster where they are now most numerous. |
| Beston | rare: Cork etc. Ir. Beastún. English, 16 cent. when it was associated with Limerick and E. Clare. SI. |
| Betts | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, S Tipperary. English. DBS. |
| Beveridge | rare: Ulster & Dublin. Scottish & English. DBS & SS. |
| Bibby | fairly rare: E Ulster, Dublin, Kilkenny. English. Dimin. of Isabel. DBS. |
| Bicker | rare: N Down. English, but also a synonym of MacGivern, q.v. See also Biggar. |
| Bickerstaff | Quite numerous: N Down. English from a placename in Lancashire but also curiously a synonym of MacGivern (Ir. Mag Uidhrín). |
| Biddulph | rare: Dublin. English, from a place in Staffordshire. DBS. |
| Biggar | Quite numerous: N Down & Tyrone. Scottish & English, but see Bicker. |
| Biggs | rare: Dublin and scattered. English, see also Beggs. |
| Bill | Quite numerous: Antrim & Down. Scottish & English. |
| Billings | fairly rare: Dublin. English. Probably from place-name. |
| Binchy | fairly rare: N Cork etc. Ir. Binnse. English, 17 cent. Very rare in England. SI. |
| Bingham | numerous: Belfast & N Down. Ir. Bingeam. English, earlier associated with Mayo. |
| Birch | Quite numerous: Leinster & Munster, but mainly N Down. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Birchall | fairly rare: Leinster. English. A Lancs-Cheshire name. DOS. |
| Birt | rare: N Antrim etc. English, a synonym of Bright. |
| Bishop | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Louth, Dublin etc. English, but also a translation of Mac Anespie and Gillespie. A branch of the O'Sullivans were called Bishop. |
| Bissett | Quite numerous: Dublin and Belfast area. Scots Gael. Buiséid. Scottish family who settled in the Glens of Antrim and adopted the Irish name Mac Eoin. Black reports that the name originated with two Englishmen who came to Scotland under the patronage of William the Lion, and later flourished in Aberdeenshire. SI & SS. |
| Black | Very numerous: Ulster, also Dublin and Leinster. Rare in Munster and Connacht. English & Scottish, but also translation of Duff and Kilduff. SI. |
| Blackburn | also Blackbyrne: fairly numerous: Ulster etc. An English toponymic of Lancashire which has occurred in Ireland since 14 cent. SI. |
| Blackmore | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Kilkenny. English, Devon-Somerset. DOS. |
| Blackwell | Quite numerous: Dublin, Limerick, Down. English, 17 cent. From place-names. SI. |
| Blackwood | Quite numerous: Belfast. English & Scottish. |
| Blacoe | rare: Dublin etc. English, from Blackhall in Lancs. DBS. |
| Blakely | numerous: Down etc. English toponymic, 17 cent. See also Bleakley. |
| Bland | rare: Midlands, Mayo, Down. English toponymic, meaning "windy place". DOS. |
| Bleach | rare: E Clare. Apparently English but may be a synonym of Bleahen, q.v. |
| Bleakley | fairly numerous: Ulster generally. English, 17 cent. |
| Blennerhassett | Quite numerous: Dublin, Kerry, Limerick. English, settled in Kerry 16 cent. From place in Cumbria. Not to be confused with Hassett. SI &MIF. |
| Bligh | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Connacht. Ir. Ó Blighe (Blí) (from a Norse name) in Connacht, otherwise of English origin from the place Blyth or the adjective "blithe", in the latter instances the Irish version is de Blaghd. See also Blythe. SI. |
| Bloomer | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Midlands etc. Ir. Ó Goirmshleaghaigh (Garmaile). More widespread as Gormley, q.v. Bloomer does exist as an English name also. SI & SGG. |
| Blunden | rare: Dublin, Kilkenny. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Blyth | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway. Ir. Ó Blighe in Connacht, otherwise it is an English toponymic or adjectival "blithe". The gaelicisation of this is de Blaghd. See also Bligh. |
| Boal | fairly numerous: E Ulster. Ir. Ó Baoill (SGA). Linked to English names Bole((s) and Bowle(s), which also occur in Ulster. Ir. Ó Baoill usually occurs as Boyle but as Bohill in Down and Mac Lysacht considers that Boal is an anglicisation in some cases.MIF. |
| Boardman | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast. Evidently English, perhaps a waiter at table. |
| Boate | rare: Dublin. English, related to the duty of ferrying. DBS. |
| Boden | Quite numerous: Belfast, N Down, Dublin. Ir. Ó Buadáin. Most Bodens are of English origin and occur more frequently as Bowden, q.v. Note Bodenstown, Co. Kildare.MIF. |
| Boggs | Quite numerous: Derry, W Tyrone. English or Scottish. DBS & SS. |
| Bole | fairly numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. English generally but also a version of Boyle. See also Bowles. |
| Bolster | Quite numerous: Cork etc. English, 18 cent. SI. |
| Bolton | numerous: N E Ulster, Dublin. Ir. Baltún. English toponymic, 17 cent.MIF & SI. |
| Bonass | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. SI. |
| Bones | fairly rare: Antrim, where it is of Scottish or English origin. Ir. Mac Cnámhaigh occurs in Connacht and seems to have become Bowens. |
| Bonham | rare: Leinster. English, from French "bon homme". DBS. |
| Bookey | rare: Wexford. English. Figures in the song "Boolavogue". |
| Boon | Quite numerous: Maghera (Derry). English. DBS. |
| Boorman | rare: Derry etc. English. "Bower-man", room servant. DOS. |
| Booth | numerous: Belfast, Antrim, Dublin, Midlands. English, 17 cent. Notable families in Dublin and Sligo. SI & DBS. |
| Boothman | rare: Dublin etc. Ir. Bútman. English, "worker at a booth (shed)". |
| Boston | Quite numerous: Belfast area. English. From place in Lincolnshire. |
| Bourn | fairly rare: Belfast, Dublin, Wicklow, Connacht. English, 16 cent. See Burns. |
| Boushel | rare: Dublin, Cork. English, from the volume measure "bushel". DBS. |
| Bowden | fairly numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Down, E Leinster. Ir. Ó Buadáin, but usually English and a variant of Baldwin. See also Boden. |
| Bower | fairly numerous:Belfast, N Down, Dublin etc. Ir. Mac Cú Uladh (Con Uladh), i.e. Hound of Ulster. A glaring case of mistranslation: Ir. collach = boar (pig). However, it is also an English name which may account for many of them. SI. |
| Bowles | Quite numerous: N Down, Cork, E Limerick. Ir. Ó Baoighill (Baoill). Also English , which must account for some these. See also Boal. MIF & SI. |
| Bowman | fairly numerous: Belfast, Down, Dublin, Cork, Galway. Various derivations: Norman as Beaumont. English, an archer. Scottish, a cattleman. Also a Palatine name in Limerick. Woulfe gives Ir. Buamann. SI & SGG. |
| Bownes | rare: Tyrone, Armagh. Ir. Mac Cnáimh, but generally English, a synonym of Bones. |
| Bowyer | rare: Belfast, Antrim. English, 17 cent. "maker of bows". SI. |
| Boycott | a rare English name which introduced a new word into the language during the land agitation of the 1880s. The name does not appear in current telephone directories, but has been previously recorded. |
| Boydell | Very rare: Dublin. English, from Lancs and Cheshire. |
| Bradbury | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast. English, from place in Durham. |
| Bradfield | Quite numerous: Cork. English, 19 cent. |
| Bradford | fairly numerous: Belfast, N Down etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Bradish | fairly rare: Dublin, Limerick, Wexford. Apparently English. SI. |
| Bradley | Very numerous: widespread, especially Ulster and Leinster. Ir. Ó Brolacháin. An Ulster sept of note in Derry. It seems likely that some Bradleys are of English origin as the name is widespread there. SGG. |
| Bradshaw | numerous: Dublin, Belfast, South East, Mid West. English toponymic, 17 cent. SI. |
| Braithwaite | Quite numerous: N Down, Kildare. English, from placenames in N England. |
| Brandon | FONT FACE="CG Times 12pt,Book Antiqua"> Quite numerous: Ulster, Dublin, Roscommon, Kerry. Ir. Mac Breandáin, in Kerry. Otherwise, de Brandún, an English toponymic. SI & SGG. |
| Bransfield | rare: Cork. English toponymic associated with E Cork. |
| Bratton | Quite numerous: Ulster, Longford. Ir. de Bratún. English toponymic. SGG. |
| Bray | fairly numerous: Midlands etc. Ir. (1) de Bré, (2) Ó Breaghaigh, mod. Ó Bré. The former an English toponymic also occurring as Bree; the latter a native name meaning a person from Breagh,(anglicised Bregia) a territory in Meath, but it occurs mainly in Connacht, whereas de Bré is associated mainly with Leinster. SI & SGG. |
| Breadon | Quite numerous: Ulster, Leitrim, Midlands etc. Ir. Ó Bradáin, which applies in Ulster and Connacht. In Leinster, it is more likely to be an English toponymic which has been gaelicised de Bréadún. Also ocurs as Braden and Bredin. SI. |
| Brereton | Quite numerous: Dublin, Tipperary etc. Ir. Bréartún. An English family located in the Midlands and Down since 16 cent. Also Cromwellian settlers.MIF & SI. |
| Brewer | fairly rare: E Ulster, Dublin and scattered. English occupational name. |
| Brewster | Quite numerous: Ulster etc. English and Scottish. A female brewer. DBS. |
| Brickley | fairly rare: Cork, South East etc. English 13 cent. From Berkeley. |
| Bridges | rare: Ulster, Dublin, Wexford. English and poss. Flemish from Brugge (the town). |
| Brierley | rare: Dublin, Cork. English toponymic, places in Staffs & W Yorks. |
| Briers | rare: Belfast. English, "dweller amongst the brambles". DBS. |
| Brierton | rare: Dublin. English toponymic, synonymous with Brereton, q.v. |
| Briggs | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin and scattered. English, 17 cent. |
| Bright | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. English. |
| Brindley | rare: Dublin & scattered. English toponymic: "burnt clearing". |
| Briscoe | Quite numerous: Dublin, Louth etc. Ir. Brioscú. English toponymic in Ireland since 16 cent. Also a distinguished Jewish family in Dublin who were refugees from Lithuania 19 cent. |
| Bristow | fairly rare: N Antrim etc. English, an old form of Bristol (City). DBS. |
| Brocas | English, 17 cent. Well-known artists in 18 & 19 cent. The name does not appear in current telephone directories, but has been previously recorded. |
| Brock | moderate nos.: Dublin etc. English, from brock, a badger. See Brick. |
| Broderick | numerous: all provinces, especially Munster. Ir. Ó Bruadair, from a Norse personal name. Broderick, an indigenous English name, has absorbed many who were previously anglicised Broder or Brouder. Native septs of Ó Bruadair existed in Cork and Galway. |
| Bromley | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. |
| Broome | rare: Down etc. English or Scottish. |
| Broomfield | rare: Laois. English, from a number of placenames. |
| Brothers | rare: Derry etc. Ir. Ó Bruadair. Synonym of Broder, also an English name. |
| Brough | Very rare: Dublin. English. |
| Broughton | rare: Cork, Limerick. Ir. de Brochtún. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Browett | Very rare: Dublin. English, "maker of broth". DBS. |
| Browning | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, derivative of Brown. |
| Brunell | rare: Dublin. English, dim. of French brun. |
| Brunkard | rare: Dublin. English, "brown spear". DBS. |
| Bruton | fairly numerous: Dublin, Midlands etc. English, 16 cent. Placename in Somerset. |
| Bryars | Very rare: Belfast. Synonym of Briars & Briers, English toponymics. |
| Bryce | Quite numerous: Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin. Ir. Ó Brisleáin. An English name long in Ireland, but also a variant of Breslin in Donegal. SI. |
| Bryson | numerous: Ulster. Ir. Ó Muirgheasáin, which applies particularly to Donegal and Derry. This name may be of English provenance on the eastern side.MIF. |
| Bucke | rare: W Limerick. English, fairly recent immigrants. |
| Buckley | Very numerous: Munster, Dublin, South East. Ir. Ó Buachalla. From the original meaning of buachaill, herdsman. A sept of Offaly now more common in the south. The English name Buckley is not represented in Ireland to any great extent. IF & SI. |
| Budd | fairly rare: Dublin, E Cork. English, from Hampshire. |
| Buggle | Quite numerous: Dublin. English, 16 cent. SI. |
| Bugler | Quite numerous: E Clare. This English name, long associated with Tulla, originates from Bugley in Dorsetshire. SIF. |
| Bulfin | fairly rare: Tipperary. An uncommon English name, poss. a variant of Bullfinch. |
| Bull | Very rare: Belfast etc. English. |
| Bullick | Quite numerous: Ulster. English toponymic. |
| Bullock | Quite numerous: Tyrone, Belfast etc. English. |
| Bulman | rare. Cork. English, in Cork since 17 cent. SI. |
| Bunbury | rare: Dublin, Tipperary. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Bunting | numerous: Belfast, N Down. English, 17 cent. Edward Bunting (1773-1843) made a major contribution to the preservation of native music at the end of 18 cent. SI. |
| Bunworth | Very rare: Dublin. English, in Cork 17 cent. SI. |
| Bunyan | fairly rare: Dublin, N Kerry etc. English but gaelicised so as to give Ballybunion. The name has been changed to Bennett in many cases. Ir. Buinneán.MIF. |
| Burchael | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Burgoyne | rare: Belfast. English/French, "man from Burgundy". |
| Burkett | rare: Dublin, Galway. A synonym of English Burchard. DBS. |
| Burleigh | fairly rare: Fermanagh etc. English, from numerous placenames. |
| Burnett | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Wicklow. English or Scottish, 17 cent. SI. |
| Burnside | fairly numerous: E Ulster. English, 17 cent. when it was associated with Derry. |
| Burrows | numerous in Ulster, scattered elsewhere. Ir. de Brú. An English name which appeared in 17 cent. Variants: Borroughs, Borrowes, Burriss. MIF & SI. |
| Burton | numerous: Belfast, Tyrone, Derry, Dublin, Cork. Ir. de Burtún. English toponymic. |
| Bush | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down, Antrim, Dublin. English. |
| Bushell | fairly rare: Dublin, Connacht etc. English. Related to measure of volume. DBS. |
| Bustard | Quite numerous: Antrim, Down, Donegal. English, fairly recent. |
| Butcher | Quite numerous: E Ulster. Ir. Búistéir. English, modern equivalent of Bouchier & Busher. |
| Butterfield | Quite numerous: Down, and scattered elsewhere. An English toponymic, "field where butter is produced". A W Yorks-Lancs surname, according to Cottle. |
| Butterly | Quite numerous: Drogheda etc. English, since late 17 cent. SI. |
| Byrne | Very numerous: all provinces but primarily Dublin and Leinster. Ir. Ó Broin, Bran, raven, a popular personal name for men. A major sept of E Leinster who long resisted the English conquest. The name also represents Mac Broin, a Down name, and appears as Burns. Many Byrnes have resumed the "O" as O'Byrne. IF & SGG. |
| Caball | rare: Tralee. A well-known family whose origins may be Scottish or English |
| Cadwell | rare: Dublin. An English toponymic of various forms such as Caldwell, Caudle, Chadwell, Cadell which see. DBS. |
| Caldbeck | rare: Laois. English, from place in Cumbria. "Cold stream". DOS. |
| Caldwell | numerous: Ulster, N Leinster. English & Scottish, but also anglicisation of the Ir. Ó h-Uarghuis, Ó h-Uairisce (Tyrone) and Mac Conluain (Cavan). MIF. |
| Callow | rare: Belfast, Dublin. English, OE calu meant "bald" - corresponding to the Ir. calbhach, which gives Calvey, q.v. DBS. |
| Calvert | numerous: E Ulster. English & Scottish, 17 cent. Deriv. "calf-herd". |
| Cambridge | rare: Cork, Ulster. English toponymic. Distinguish from McCambridge, q.v. |
| Campion | fairly numerous: Midlands, Kilkenny etc. English, 16-17 cent. A name which became plentiful in Laois & Kilkenny in 19 cent, and still flourishes. MIF. |
| Campton | fairly rare: Ulster generally. English toponymic. |
| Canning | numerous: particularly in Ulster, well-represented in Leinster & Connacht. MacLysaght considers this to be of English origin in 17 cent, but a number of Irish names have been noted: (1) Ó Cainin (Midlands), Ó Canáin (Galway), Ó Canainn (Donegal), which could account for many Cannings.MIF. |
| Cannon | numerous: Connacht, Ulster, N Leinster etc. Ir. Ó Canáin, (cano, wolf cub), names septs in Galway and Donegal. Ó Canainn & Ó Canannáin are synonyms in Donegal. There is also the English name Cannon.MIF. |
| Cantley | Quite numerous: N Down. English, prob. toponymic. |
| Cantrell | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, Limerick. English, 17 cent. |
| Caplice | Quite numerous: Tipperary, N Cork etc. Ir. Caplais. Apparently English. SI. |
| Capper | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English or Scottish. |
| Carden | rare: Sligo etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Cardwell | numerous: E Ulster. English, synonym of Caldwell, q.v. Also Ir. Mac Ardail, SGA. |
| Carley | fairly rare: Wexford, with a few in Connacht & Ulster. An English name in the South- East, but Ir. Mac Fhearghaile in the West. From Fearghal, man of valour. SI. |
| Carlisle | numerous: N Down & E Ulster generally. English & Scottish. In Antrim 16 cent. SI. |
| Carpenter | fairly numerous: Leinster etc. Ir. Mac an tSaoir. Also occurs as MacAteer in Ulster and MacIntyre in Scotland. It is probable that some Carpenters are of English origin. |
| Carr | numerous: all provinces, particularly Ulster and Connacht. This English name is used to represent a number of indigenous names: Ó Ceara (Galway), Mac Giolla Arraith (Monaghan), Mac Giolla Cheara (Donegal), Ó Carra (Ulster). It is also synonym of the Scottish Kerr. MIF. |
| Carter | fairly numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Ulster, Connacht. Ir. Mac Artúir. This is a common English name, which is on record in Ireland since 14 cent. SI. |
| Cartmill | Quite numerous: Armagh, Down. English toponymic from Cartmell, Lancashire. Occurring in Ireland since 14 cent. Noted in Armagh 17 cent. MIF. |
| Carton | fairly numerous: Dublin, N E Ulster, Midlands. MacLysaght states that this is an English toponymic, sometimes used for MacCartan, Ir. Mac Artáin. SI. |
| Cartwright | fairly rare: E Ulster, Dublin. English occupational name. |
| Cash | Quite numerous: Wexford, Kildare, Belfast area etc. Ir. Ó Cais and Cas. Found in medieval records in Dublin, this name appears to be at least partly of English origin. SI. |
| Cassin | fairly rare: Waterford-Kilkenny etc. Ir. Mac Caisín. But Woulfe mentions Ó Caisín as as a variant in Munster. A connection with Ó Casáin is possible. See Cashin. However the English name, also, is honoured in a great theatrical family of 20 cent. MIF. |
| Casson | rare: Ballymena, Derry etc. English, "son of Cass"; possibly synonym of Cassin. |
| Castles | Quite numerous: Belfast, N Down. English & Scottish but see also Cassells. |
| Caswell | fairly rare: Belfast, N Down, Dublin. English, synonym of Carswell. DBS. |
| Catterson | fairly rare: W Ulster. English or Scottish, also as Caterson. |
| Cattican | rare: Mayo etc. Ir. Mac Aitigín. From English Atkin, dim. of Adam. SGG. |
| Caul | rare: Dublin, Belfast. Either an abbreviation of MacCall, q.v. or the English Call. |
| Caulfield | numerous: Dublin, Ulster, South East, Connacht. Ir. Mac Cathmhaoil, a sept of Cineál Eoghain (Tyrone). A name subject to many anglicisations: Campbell, Howell, MacCall etc. In 17 cent the Caulfields were English planters who acquired large estates of the former lands of Mac Cathmhaoil and became Lords Charlemont. MIF. |
| Cave | Quite numerous: E Ulster & scattered. Ir. Mac Dháibhí. See MacDaid & MacDevitt. There is also the English name Cave (bald) which may be relevant in some cases. SGA. |
| Caverly | fairly rare: Cork. Presumably English. |
| Chadwick | Quite numerous: Dublin, S Leinster. Ir. Seadaic. English toponymic. |
| Chalke | Very rare: scattered. English, from residence near chalk down. See also Chawke. DBS. |
| Challoner | fairly rare: Dublin, Leinster. English, "blanket-maker", associated with Châlons-sur-Marne, place of manufacture. DBS. |
| Chamberlain | fairly rare: Dublin, Down, Cork etc. Ir. Seambar. English: an officer in charge of private quarters of sovereign or nobleman. Also Chambers. DBS. |
| Chance | rare: Dublin etc. English, perhaps of a gambler. DBS. |
| Chancellor | rare: Belfast, Down. Ir. Seansailéir. English, a state or law official. |
| Chandler | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Cork etc. English, (candle-maker). |
| Chapman | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, South East etc. English, 17 cent and has occurred in earlier times. Old English word for merchant or pedlar. |
| Chappell | rare: scattered. English, from residence near or service at a chapel. |
| Charles | Quite numerous: Tyrone etc in Ulster, Dublin, N Connacht etc. Ir. Mac Cathail. Also anglicised Corless, q.v. May be of English origin in some cases. The name came via France from the German Karl, a man. Cathal, on the other hand, means "battle-strong". |
| Charlton | Quite numerous: Ulster, Dublin, N Connacht etc. Ir. Mac Cathail (SGA). This English toponymic has occurred in Ireland since 14 cent but mainly arrived in 17 cent. SI. |
| Chavasse | Very rare: scattered. English, recent but see Ir. de Ceabhasa. |
| Chawke | Quite numerous: Limerick etc. English, synonym of Chalke, q.v. Long-established in Limerick, particularly in the valley of the Maigue. |
| Cherry | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Midlands. English, 17 cent. |
| Cheshire | rare: Ulster. English toponymic. |
| Chesney | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. English, 17 cent. See also Chaney. |
| Chester | fairly rare: Dublin, Omagh etc. English toponymic. |
| Chestnutt | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Waterford etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Chew | rare: E Ulster, Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Chichester | Very rare: Derry. English, 17 cent. Historically important. |
| Childers | Very rare: Dublin. English, recent but historically very important. |
| Childs | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin etc. English & Scottish. |
| Chinnery | an English family in Limerick & Cork in 17 cent.MIF. The name does not appear in current telephone directories, but has been previously recorded. |
| Chittick | fairly rare: E Ulster. Presumably cognate with English Chittock. DBS. |
| Christian | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English & Scottish. |
| Church | Quite numerous: Dublin, Ulster. English, 17 cent. From residence near or duty at a church. |
| Chute | rare: Kerry. Ir. Siúit. English, 17 cent. |
| Clark | Very numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster, N Leinster, Dublin, Connacht. This common English name is usually an anglicisation of Ó Cléirigh (Cleary), a notable sept of Galway in 12 cent and one of the earliest hereditary surnames. SI & IF. |
| Clarkson | rare: Dublin. Ir. Mac an Chléirigh, but in this case it is English. |
| Claxton | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands. English and current there. |
| Clayton | fairly numerous: Portadown, Dublin, Cork etc. Ir. de Cléatún. English toponymic, in Cork in 17 cent. SI. |
| Cleaver | Very rare: N Down. Ir. Cliabhair. Of English origin. Rev. Euseby Cleaver (1826-94) was a leading member of Conradh na Gaeilge in its early days. |
| Cleeve | Very rare: South East & Mid-West. English, 17 cent. Associated with Tipperary and Limerick. SI. |
| Clegg | Quite numerous: Belfast, N Down, Midlands, Dublin. English, 18 cent. Lancs toponymic. |
| Clements | fairly numerous: E Ulster. Ir. Climéis, Mac Laghmainn. The former, English; the latter, Scottish, usually Lamont, an Argyllshire clan. SI & SS. |
| Clibborn | Very rare: Cork. English, dating back to 17 cent. |
| Cliffe | fairly rare: Waterford etc. English, according to Reaney, synonymous with Cleeve and Clive, all relating to residence near a cliff or slope. DBS. |
| Clifford | numerous: Kerry, Limerick etc. Ir. Ó Clúmháin, clúmhach meaning hairy, furry. In Ulster, however, it may stand for Mac Raibheartaigh. Also, it may be of English origin in Leinster. |
| Clifton | fairly rare: scattered in Munster. English toponymic. |
| Clinch | Quite numerous: Dublin and scattered. Ir. Clinse. An English name occurring in Leinster since 14 cent. Also as Clince and Clynch. SI. |
| Cloke | rare: Belfast area, Enniscorthy. There is a Scots name Cloack, but the location in Wexford suggests English origin. Also as Cloake. |
| Close | fairly numerous: Belfast, Antrim, Dublin. Ir. Ó Cluasaigh, cluasach, having big ears. The name also relates to English immigrants of 17 cent, who were later prominent land-owners in Antrim. Rev Maxwell Close (1822-1903) played an important part in the Gaelic revival at the end of the 19 cent. |
| Clotworthy | rare: Antrim, Dublin. English toponymic (Somerset). |
| Clow | Very rare: Belfast. English, clough, clow = ravine. DOS. |
| Cluff | rare: Fermanagh etc. An English name from W Yorkshire. As Clow, q.v. |
| Clulow | rare: Belfast. English toponymic from Cheshire. |
| Clyne | Quite numerous: Dublin, Leinster, Connacht. Ir. Mac Giolla Chlaoin, claon meaning perverse. The name relates to Roscommon and was originally anglicised Kilcline. There are Scottish and English names Clyne(s): the latter may relate to those in eastern areas, to some extent. MIF. |
| Coad | Fairly rare: Waterford. Perhaps a variant of Coady; an English name Coad does exist meaning "cobbler". |
| Coard | fairly rare: Belfast area. English, "maker of cords". DBS. |
| Coates | numerous: Belfast area, Dublin. English, 17 cent in Ulster. SI. |
| Cobbe | Quite numerous: Dublin, Offaly. English, 17 cent relating to the Midlands. SI. |
| Cockcroft | Very rare: Down and scattered. An English toponymic. DS. |
| Codd | fairly numerous: Wexford. Ir. Coda. An Old-English name from 13 cent, they have been associated with the district of Forth since that time. MIF. |
| Colborn | Very rare: Antrim. English toponymic from Yorkshire. |
| Colclough | Quite numerous: South East. English, 16 cent, associated with Wexford. An Sloinnteoir Gaeilge gives Ir. Ó Caochlaoich, thus equating it with Coakley and as local pronunciation is similar, this is plausible. Woulfe gives Ir. Colcloch. MIF, SGA & SGG. |
| Cole | numerous: Dublin, Ulster, N Midlands. An English name present in Fermanagh since 17 cent and widespread generally. However, the name also stands for MacCole or MacCool, with Ir. Mac Dhubhghaill and possibly Mac Giolla Chomhghaill. There is some confusion with Coyle, q.v. SI &MIF. |
| Colfer | Quite numerous: Wexford, Waterford etc. Ir. Coilféir. English, long associated with the barony of Forth in Wexford.MIF, |
| Coll | fairly numerous: Derry, Donegal, Belfast etc. Ir. Col. This is an English name in the south where it occurs in Limerick 14 cent. However, in Ulster, it is Mac Colla. SI &MIF. |
| Collender | rare: Waterford etc. Ir. Cuileandar. English, relating to a process with cloth. |
| Colley | rare: Dublin etc. English, 16 cent, related to the Wellesleys all of whom were settled in the Midlands. The name is also Ir. Ó Colla in Connacht but MacLysaght quotes a sept of Roscommon called Mac Cúille or Mac Giolla Chúille as another origin. MIF. |
| Collier | numerous: mainly Leinster. Ir. Coiléir. An English family established in Meath since 1305 A.D. It is also present in Down. MIF. |
| Collins | Very numerous: all areas, especially Munster. Ir. Ó Coileáin, coileán is a whelp. Though this a common English name, in Ireland it is an anglicisation of the Irish, except in Ulster, where some at least are of English origin. The original location of the sept was W Limerick.There is also an indigenous name in Ulster, i.e. Ir. Mac Coileáin. IF. Colling(s): rare: N Down etc. English, dimin. of Nicholas (as Collins is). DBS. |
| Collis | rare: Dublin etc. English, 17 cent, formerly prominent in Kerry. MIF. |
| Collison | rare: N Tipperary, Offaly. English, related to the. |
| Colton | fairly numerous: Tyrone, Monaghan, Midlands. MacLysaght states that this is generally an English name, but there is evidence of Ó Comhaltáin in Galway and Mac Comhaltáin in Derry. SI & SGG. |
| Coman | fairly rare: Tipperary etc. Ir. Ó Comáin. There are numerous synonyms in English: Commons, Commane, Comyns, Cummins etc. In Connacht the Irish is Ó Cuimín. Comán was a personal name in early Ireland. IF. |
| Comerford | numerous: Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford etc. Ir. Comartún. An English family who came to Ireland in 1210 A.D., became hibernicised and played a prominent part in the history of the country.MIF. |
| Compton | fairly rare: mainly Ulster. An English toponymic of widespread occurrence. DBS. |
| Condell | Quite numerous: Laois, Carlow, Wexford, Limerick. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Coney | fairly rare: Tyrone etc. Ir. Ó Cuana, possibly from cuanna, comely. A variant of Cooney, q.v. This is also an English name. |
| Conyers | Very rare: Limerick. English, of French origin, de Coignières. In Ireland 17 cent. Also an anglicisation of O'Connor i.e. Ó Conchúir. MIF. |
| Cook | Very numerous: (mostly with -e) Ulster generally, Dublin & South East, Limerick and Galway. In Ulster, Scottish; in Leinster, English; in the west, anglicisation of Mac Dhabhoc, a branch of the Burkes. SI. |
| Cooling | rare: Dublin. English, possibly in Ireland since 15 cent. The name has long been associated with Wicklow. Also an Irish name Ó Cúilfhinn has been suggested. MIF. |
| Cooper | numerous: all provinces, especially E Ulster. Cúipéir. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Coote | Quite numerous: Tyrone-Cavan, Ennis etc. English, since early 17 cent. MIF. |
| Cope | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down, Carlow etc. English, from cope or long cloak. |
| Copeland | numerous: E Ulster, Mid-Leinster. English, 17 cent. |
| Copley | fairly rare: scattered. English, 17 cent. |
| Corbett | numerous: Munster & Connacht, with some in Down probably English; otherwise the name stands for Ir. Ó Corbáin (Munster), Ó Coirbín (Connacht). See also Conba. |
| Cordel | Very rare: Wexford etc. English. DBS. |
| Corner | Very rare: Belfast area. English, 17 cent. |
| Cornett | fairly rare: Armagh, Portadown. English. |
| Cornish | rare: scattered. English, a Devon-Somerset name. |
| Cornwall | rare: E Leinster. English. |
| Cosby | fairly rare: Down, Antrim, Laois. English, in Laois 16 cent. SI. |
| Costley | rare: Belfast. English, occasionally a variant of Costello. |
| Cott | rare: Cork. An English name from 14 cent. Related to Coates, q.v. |
| Cottle | Very rare: English, but also Ó Coitil, a branch of Uí Fiachrach in Sligo from which Cottlestown. The English name may be a Cornish toponymic. SI & DOS. |
| Cotton | rare: mainly Ulster. English, 17 cent. The name has been associated with Dublin and the South East. |
| Cottrell | fairly rare: Cork etc. English, meaning "cottager". DBS. |
| Couch | rare: Dublin, Cork. English, "maker of beds". DBS. |
| Coulson | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English. Also Scots Gael. Mac Cumhaill. |
| Cousins | numerous: Down etc. Wexford, Kilkenny. Ir. Cuisín. An English name denoting a blood-relative, but present in Ireland since 13 cent in the form Cussen and Cushing. The name has always been associated with Limerick, Cork and South East. See Cussen. |
| Cowell | rare: Dublin, Limerick. Ir. Mac Cathmhaoil (battle-chief). Reaney notes this in the Isle of Man as well as being an English toponymic. DBS. |
| Cowley | Quite numerous: Dublin, Leinster, Derry, Mayo. Ir. Mac Amhlaoibh, which relates to a sept of Fermanagh and also occurs as Cawley. The name is also an English toponymic and was found amongst the ten "Tribes of Kilkenny". SI & IF. |
| Coxe | numerous: Dublin, Leinster, Connacht; Fermanagh & Ulster generally. Ir. Mac an Choiligh in Connacht; Mac Giolla in Fermanagh; Ó Coiligh, Mac Colgan in Cork. This name is also, of course, English, of the nick-name type. SI, SGA & DBS. |
| Coy | rare: Galway. Probably McCoy, q.v., although such an English name does exist. |
| Crabb | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. English. DBS. |
| Cramer | Quite numerous: Leitrim etc; Limerick-Tipperary border. Ir. Mac Thréinir (strong man), also in Cork von Kramer (German) and the English Creamer, meaning "pedlar". MIF. |
| Crampton | Quite numerous: Dublin, Monaghan etc. English, 18 cent. |
| Crane | Quite numerous: Enniskillen, Belfast etc. English, nick-name type from crane, a bird. Also possibly Ir. Ó Corráin in some places. SI. |
| Cranitch | rare: Cork etc. This name appears to be of English origin but it is very rare there. |
| Cranley | fairly rare: Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary. Ir. Ó Crónghaile. MacLysacht regards this as an English toponymic which sometimes stands for the native Cronnelly, Cronolly. These, however, are confined to Connacht. SI & SGG. |
| Craul | Very rare: Dublin, Wicklow. Possibly English but very rare there. |
| Craven | fairly numerous: Down, Louth-Monaghan, Offaly-Galway-Tipperary. Ir. Mac Crabháin in the north; Ó Crabháin in the south. Perhaps from crábhadh, piety. The sept were of Uí Maine (Galway). The English toponymic is thought to be rare in Ireland. SI. |
| Crawley | fairly numerous: S Ulster etc. Ir. Mac Raghallaigh, Mac Rállaigh (SGA). Although this name exists as an English toponymic, it is not present in Ireland, apparently. |
| Crickley | rare: Cork etc. English origin. |
| Cripps | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, "curly-haired". |
| Crisp | Very rare: Dublin etc. English, as Cripps, or abbreviation of Crispin, 3 cent martyr. |
| Croasdell | rare: Dublin etc. English, from place in Lancashire. |
| Crocker | Very rare: Ulster etc. English, "potter". |
| Crockett | mod.nos: Ulster. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Croft | Quite numerous: Cork, Belfast area. Ir. de Crochtas. English, 16 cent. Landowners in Cork. |
| Crofton | Quite numerous: Sligo etc. Ir. de Crochtún. English, 16 cent. A leading Anglo-Irish family of N Connacht. SI &MIF. |
| Croker | rare: Dublin, Limerick. Ir. Crócar. English, associated with Limerick since 17 cent. An Anglo-Norman name Crocker was recorded in 13 cent. SI & IF. |
| Cromer | Very rare: Dublin. English, toponymic of Norfolk, "pool with crows". DOS. |
| Crompton | rare: scattered. English, placename in Lancashire. |
| Cromwell | Quite numerous: Armagh, Down, Dublin, Meath. Ir. Cromail. English toponymic which existed in Ireland long before the advent of the Lord Protector. MIF. |
| Crook | Quite numerous Scattered. Ir. Cróc. English, 17 cent and associated with Cork. See also Croke. SI. |
| Crooks | numerous: mainly E Ulster. English, 17 cent. A toponymic of Yorkshire. |
| Crosby | numerous: Wexford, N Leinster, Dublin, Belfast etc. This name is both English and Scottish and in some cases an anglicisation of Mac an Chrosáin, otherwise MacCrossan, which see.MIF. |
| Cross | numerous: E Ulster, Kildare, Limerick-Tipperary etc. Ir. Crúis. An English toponymic which also sometimes stands for MacCrossan. See Crosbie. |
| Crossley | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Dublin. English, relating to W Yorkshire. DOS. |
| Crowe | numerous: widespread in Ulster where it is of English origin. In the south, it may be an anglicisation of Mac Conchradha, which was of Clare. IF. |
| Crowthers | fairly rare: Belfast & Dublin. English, a Lancashire name. |
| Crozier | numerous: widespread in Ulster. Ir. Crúiséir. English name related to "crosses". |
| Cruise | fairly numerous: Dublin etc. Ir. de Crúis. A Norman family, de Cruys, who settled in Meath and Dublin. Cruse is also an English name meaning "ferocious". SI & DBS. |
| Crutchley | fairly rare: Down. English, synonym of Critchley. Associated with Lancashire. |
| Cudmore | rare: Cork. English, 17 cent. MIF. |
| Cuffe | : fairly numerous: Midlands, Mayo-Galway etc. English, 16 cent but also anglicisation of(1) Mac Dhuibh (MacDuff) and (2) Ó Doirnín in Ulster. |
| Cumberland | rare: Tyrone. English. |
| Cunniss | Very rare: Galway. English, 17 cent. A variant of Coneys. |
| Cupples | Quite numerous: Belfast area. English, 17 cent. |
| Cush | Quite numerous: Belfast, Tyrone, Cork. More likely to be English in Ulster but Irish Mac Coise in the south. A sept of this name existed in Laois. Also occurs as Quish. IF & SGG. |
| Cuthbert | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, Belfast area etc. Scottish and N English from St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, +687 A.D. |
| Cutler | rare: scattered. Scottish & English. "maker and seller of knives". |
| D'Eathe | Very rare: Wexford. English. DBS. |
| Dack | rare: Thomastown. English. |
| Dagg | Quite numerous: Kilkenny-Carlow etc. English, 17 cent. From OF dague, a dagger. Perhaps some one who sported such a weapon. Also as Dagge |
| Dalby | Very rare: Dublin. English, from placename. |
| Dale | Fairly numerous: mainly E Ulster, scattered in the south. English, "dweller in the dale". |
| Damery | rare: Cork. English, originally Daumeray in France. Also occurs as Amery. DBS. |
| Dancey | Very rare: Cavan. English, 18 cent. Originally Dauntsey. DBS. |
| Dandy | rare: English & Scottish, pet form of Andrew. DBS. |
| Dane | Quite numerous: Fermanagh etc. Mainly English origin, O.E. dane, a valley. Also an anglicisation of Ir. Ó Déaghain, déaghan, a dean. See also Deane. IF. |
| Daniels | Quite numerous: mainly S E Leinster. English; also for MacDonnell & O'Donnell. |
| Dann | rare: Ossory, Dublin, Belfast. English, "dweller in the valley". DBS. |
| Darby | fairly numerous: Midlands, Dublin, Belfast area. English, 16 cent. but see also Darmody and Deyermond. The name has been associated with the Midlands. SI. |
| Dark | Very rare: Belfast. English. |
| Darker | rare: Dublin, Meath etc. English occupational name. DBS. |
| Darley | Very rare: Dublin. English 17 cent. MIF. |
| Darling | Quite numerous: Belfast and Ulster generally, Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Daunt | Quite numerous: Cork etc. English, 16 cent. IF. |
| Davenport | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast and scattered. English, 17 cent. It may also be an anglicisation of Ó Donnuartaigh in Munster. This occurs as Dunworth, too. SI. |
| Davey | numerous: Belfast area, Dublin, Sligo etc. English and Scottish in the east but in Connacht, they are a branch of the Burkes, Mac Dáibhidh, originally seated in Galway. |
| David | rare: Dublin, Cork, Wexford. English or Welsh. As a first name it became popular from the patron saint of Wales and the Scottish kings. See the various derivatives. |
| Davies | numerous: Belfast area, Dublin and scattered. Welsh and English, though the English version is more usually Davis. The general Irish version would be Mac Dáibhidh. |
| Davis | Very numerous: Dublin, Belfast and all areas. Of English or Welsh origin since 16 cent. The name is used for MacDavid in Wexford. Irish version: Dáibhis. IF. |
| Davy | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands, S Leinster etc. English, cognate with Davies, Davis etc. |
| Dawe | fairly rare: Cork and scattered. Usually English but sometimes an anglicisation of Ó Deá. Daw is a pet name for David. |
| Dawson | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin and scattered. English, 17 cent but may be anglicisation of Ó Deoráin (Doran & Dorrian). The Dawsons were important landlords in Monaghan, Laois and Tipperary.MIF. |
| Day | fairly numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Cork and scattered. Presumably English from the distribution but the name undoubtedly represents Ó Deá (O'Dea) also. The latter, original spelling Ó Deaghaidh, were an important sept of Thomond (Clare). |
| Daynes | rare: Dublin, Wicklow. An English name meaning "haughty" or "worthy". DBS. |
| De Bromhead | rare: Waterford. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Deacon | Quite numerous: Wexford etc. English, 17 cent. Ir. Ó Deocáin (SGA). |
| Deale | rare: Dublin. English. Also possibly variant of Dahill, q.v. |
| Dear | Very rare: E Leinster. English. DBS. |
| Deering | fairly numerous: S Leinster, Fermanagh. Ir. Díring. This English family came to Laois in 16 cent and became quite numerous.MIF. |
| Dell | Very rare: Antrim etc. English, "one who lives in a dell". DOS. |
| Denby | rare: Wexford-Waterford. English toponymic, "Danes' farm". DOS. |
| Denham | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Denieffe | rare: Kilkenny etc. English, 18 cent. |
| Denmead | rare: Tipperary-Waterford. English toponymic, place in Hampshire. DOS. |
| Denner | rare: Louth etc. English, "dweller in the valley". DBS. |
| Dennis | Quite numerous: Dublin and E Ulster. English of various derivations, also an anglicisation of Irish Ó Donnghusa. The first name was from Latin Dionysius. SI. |
| Denny | Quite numerous: Belfast-Down, South-East etc. English, 16 cent, notably in Kerry, also Irish Ó Duibhne, also in Kerry. SI & SGG. |
| Dent | Quite numerous Dublin, Belfast. English. DBS. |
| Denton | fairly rare: E Ulster, Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Derby | Quite numerous: E Ulster and scattered. English toponymic. |
| Derbyshire | rare: Dublin etc. English, from county name. |
| Derham | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 14 cent. From the city Durham. |
| Devenish | Very rare: Cork. Ir. Deibhnis. English from 14 cent. "The man from Devon". DBS. |
| Deverell | rare: Laois. A variant of Devereux, also separate English toponymic. (DOS). However, SGA gives Ó Dairbhre, a Midlands name. |
| Dickens | Very rare: Down. English. DBS. |
| Dickinson | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. English or Scottish. |
| Digby | rare: Armagh, Kilkenny. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Dilger | Very rare: Limerick-Clare. English. DBS. |
| Dill | Very rare: Donegal. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Dilworth | Quite numerous: Cork, Tyrone etc. The Munster name is a variant of Dilloughery; the northern one may be English. |
| Dines | fairly rare: Down etc. English, synonym of Daynes etc. DBS. |
| Dingle | rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Dingley | Very rare: Tyrone. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Diplock | rare: Belfast. English. |
| Disney | Very rare: Tipperary. English, 17 cent. From French D'Isigny. |
| Dix | rare: scattered: English, 17 cent. |
| Dixon | numerous: Leinster and Ulster. Ir. Mac Riocaird. English generally; also an anglicisation of Ó Díochon in Antrim. The synonym Dickson is more numerous still. |
| Dobbin | numerous in Ulster; mod.nos. in Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford. Ir. Doibín. English 14 cent in the south; Scottish in Ulster. Dobb was pet form of Robert.MIF. |
| Dobbs | Quite numerous Tyrone-Antrim etc. English, 16 cent. Early settlers in Antrim. SI. |
| Dobson | fairly numerous: Ulster generally; scattered in the south. English or Scottish. |
| Dockrell | Quite numerous: Dublin. English, 17 cent. |
| Dodd | fairly numerous: Ulster, Dublin, Mayo, Roscommon. English, 16 cent. May stand for Dowd in Ulster. Ir. Doda. SGG & SI. |
| Doggett | fairly rare: Dublin, Meath. English. DBS. |
| Dorman | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Cork. English, 17 cent. In Ulster, possibly a variant of Dornan, for which Ir. Ó Dornáin. SI. |
| Dormer | Quite numerous: S E Leinster. MacLysaght says this is an English name of French origin dating from 1590 in Wexford. It may also relate to Ulster Ir. Ó Duibhdhíorma.MIF. |
| Dorrans | fairly rare: N E Ulster. Probably English, related to Durrans, Durand etc. |
| Doughty | fairly rare: Cavan. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Dowdall | fairly numerous: Ulster & N Leinster. An English toponymic current in the Pale since the Invasion, but also an anglicisation of Ó Dubhdáléithe of Cork. SI & SGG. |
| Dowler | fairly rare: scattered. Ir. Ó Dallachair. See Dallagher. Also an English name. |
| Dowman | Very rare: Cork, Dublin. English, SI & DBS. |
| Downer | rare: Dublin. An English name; also possibly a variant of Dooner, q.v. |
| Downes | numerous: Clare, Limerick and general. Ir. Ó Dubháin, dim. of dubh, black. Many synonyms: Dwan(e), Devane, Duane. Since duán also means kidney, this name has been transposed to Kidney in Cork. However, in E Ulster and Dublin, the name may be of English origin.MIF & SGG. |
| Downing | Quite numerous: Cork-Kerry etc. Ir. Ó Dúnaigh. Usually a synonym of Downey but could be of English origin in the north. |
| Dowse | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 14 cent. Probably from French douce, gentle. MIF. |
| Drake | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Cork. English, 13 cent in Meath. Ir. Drach. SGG &MIF. |
| Draper | Quite numerous: Cork. Ir. Draopar. English 17 cent. Associated with W Cork. SI. |
| Drea | Quite numerous: Kilkenny-Carlow. Ir. Ó Draoi, druid. However, MacLysaght regards the name as a synonym of Drew and of English origin.MIF. |
| Dring | Very rare: Cork. English, 17 cent. Old Norse dreng, a freeholder. SI. |
| Driver | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English occupational name. DBS. |
| Duckett | fairly rare: Antrim. English. DBS. |
| Dudgeon | fairly rare: Ulster. English, 17 cent. Dim. of Dodge, hence of Roger. DBS. |
| Dudley | Quite numerous: Dublin, E Munster. Ir. Ó Dubhdáleithe, dark-two-sides? Generally an English toponymic. Woulfe locates the native one in S Cork. SI & SGG. |
| Duffield | fairly rare: Belfast. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Dugdale | rare: Midlands, Belfast, Down. Presumably English. |
| Duke | fairly numerous: E Ulster and scattered widely. Usually from French duc, leader. English, 16 cent. It occurs in Irish as Diúic. SI. |
| Dumbleton | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Dumbrell | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Dungan | Quite numerous: Meath etc. (1) English of the Pale (Ir. Dongán). (2) Mac Donnagáin of Down, which is also anglicised Cunningham. Ó Donnagáin is given by SGA. |
| Dunham | Very rare: Belfast. English. DOS. |
| Dunning | Quite numerous: around Athlone, Belfast. English & Scottish. Also a synonym of Downing and Downey. Woulfe considers it an anglicisation of Ó Duinnín. SI & SGG. |
| Dunstall | rare: Belfast. English toponymic: Tunstall. DBS. |
| Durning | rare: Donegal. Probably a synonym of Durnin, just possibly English from 17 cent. |
| Dutton | rare: Belfast. English, relates to Lancashire. |
| Dyer | Quite numerous: Mayo, Belfast and scattered. An English occupational name but in Ireland usually for Mac Duibhir which commonly occurs as MacDyer. However the Dyers of Belfast may well be of English origin. |
| Dykes | fairly rare: Derry etc. English & Scottish. SS. |
| Dynes | Quite numerous: Down etc. English. SI. |
| Dyson | rare: Belfast area. English. Dye was a pet form of Dionisia. DBS. |
| Eade | Quite numerous: scattered, Leinster & Munster. English, probably pet-form of Edith. DBS. |
| Eadie | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Cork etc. Ir. Mac Adaim. Usually Scottish or English and synonym of Addie, which see also. SS, SGA. |
| Eagar | Quite numerous: Dublin & scattered. English, Reaney considers it derived from personal name Edgar. Ir. Éigear. MIF & DBS. |
| Eagle | rare: Galway. English. |
| Eames | Quite numerous: Ulster etc. English, 17 cent. From O.E. eam, uncle. DBS. |
| Earl | fairly numerous: All provinces. Earls occurs in Galway 13 cent and was gaelicised Mac an Iarla. Earl is relatively rare. Of English origin, they were nicknames or pageant-names. DBS. |
| East | rare: Dublin, Galway. English. DBS. |
| Easton | Fairly rare: Belfast etc. English, a common placename. DBS. |
| Eastwood | Fairly numerous: Tyrone etc. English, 17 cent. SGA gives Ir. Mac Conurchoille. |
| Eaton | Quite numerous: E Ulster and scattered. English, 17 cent. Ir. Éatún. |
| Ebbitt | rare: Fermanagh etc. English. DBS. |
| Ebbs | Quite numerous: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Ebrill | rare: Dublin. English, 17 cent. Earlier associated with Limerick & Tipperary.MIF. |
| Eccles | fairly numerous: E Ulster and scattered. Scottish and English - there are three such placenames in England and two in Scotland. |
| Eddie | Very rare: Ulster. Scottish or English. |
| Edens | rare: Belfast etc. English from placename in Durham. DBS. |
| Edge | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast. English, dweller near edge or steep slope. DBS. |
| Edgeworth | Quite numerous: Meath, Longford etc. English, a notable family in Longford since 1583. Hence the placename Edgeworthstown, Ir. Meathas Troim. IF. |
| Edmonds | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast. Ir. Mac Éamoinn. English. |
| Edwards | numerous: all provinces. Ir. Mac Éadbhaird. English and Welsh. |
| Egerton | fairly rare: Fermanagh etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Egleston | rare: Limerick etc. English, from placename in Durham. |
| Elkin | Quite numerous Ulster. English. |
| Elkinson | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Ellerker | Very rare: Dublin. English, from placename in Yorkshire. Thomas W. Ellerker was a founding member of Conradh na Gaeilge in 1893. |
| Ellickson | Very rare: Waterford. English, from Elwick, a placename in Northumbria. |
| Elliffe | fairly rare: Midlands etc. English, synonym of Ayliff. DBS. |
| Elliot | Very numerous: Ulster, N Leinster, Dublin etc. Scottish & English, derived from OE Aelfweald, "elf-ruler". Associated with the Plantation of Ulster. SI & DBS. |
| Ellis | numerous: Ulster and scattered in the south. English from 13 cent onwards. Deriving from the first name Elias, associated with the Crusades. SI & DBS. |
| Ellison | fairly numerous: Ulster etc. English, 17 cent. Woulfe gives Ir. Ó hEilgheasáin without comment. There is such a name in the Annals of Loch Cé but that is all. SI &MIF. |
| Elmes | Quite numerous: Carlow, Waterford etc. English, "dweller at the elms". DBS. |
| Elmore | rare: Down-Louth. English, 17 cent. Also a synonym of Gilmore for which the Irish is Mac Giolla Mhuire. |
| Elvery | Very rare: Dublin. English, a synonym of Alfrey which occurs in Dublin 17 cent. MIF. |
| Emerson | numerous: Belfast area, Dublin. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Emery | rare: Tyrone, Cork. English, 17 cent. Also as Amory. |
| Emmett | Quite numerous: Dublin and scattered. English, 17 cent. First settled in Tipperary. IF. |
| Emo | rare: Fermanagh etc. MacLysaght says it is a synonym of Seymour and so of English origin. It is not related to the place Emo in Laois, which is Irish Ioma (image). SI. |
| England | Quite numerous: Ulster & Midlands. Ir. Aingleont. A synonym of English and early established in Ireland. There in a townland Ballyengland in Limerick from 16 cent. |
| English | numerous: E Ulster, Tipperary-E Limerick etc. Ir. Aingléis, Inglis. Obviously of English origin but gaelicised since 13 cent. In Ulster it can stand for Gallogly.MIF. |
| Englishby | rare: Midlands etc. MacLysaght gives it as a pseudo-translation of Mac an Gallóglaigh, gallóglach being a galloglass or mercenary soldier, usually from Scotland. The basic name has even been changed to Ingoldsby as well as the "normal" anglicisation Gallogly. In Ulster, the name English is generally of this derivation. SI &MIF. |
| Ensor | rare: Dublin. English, in Armagh 18 cent. |
| Entwistle | fairly rare: Belfast etc. English toponymic of Lancashire. |
| Esler | fairly numerous: E ULster. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Etchingham | rare: Dublin etc. Ir. Eichingeam. English, 16 cent associated with Wexford. |
| Eves | fairly rare: Belfast area. English, usually Eaves there. DBS. |
| Ewbank | Very rare: Down. English, from place in Cumberland. |
| Eyre | Quite numerous: Dublin, Down etc. English, 17 cent, associated with Galway where they came as part of the Cromwellian settlement. Ir. Iarsach. MIF. |
| Fagg | Very rare: Midlands. English, possibly meaning baker. DBS. |
| Fair | fairly rare: Mayo-Galway etc. A translation of the Ir. fionn (fair) which had supplanted the original surname. There is a cognate English name, Fair & Phair, which probably accounts for most of those in E Ulster, however SGA gives Mac Fhinn. |
| Fairbrother | fairly rare: Midlands. English. DBS. |
| Fairclough | Very rare: E Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Fairfield | rare: E Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Fairman | rare: Donegal. English. DBS. |
| Fairweather | Very rare: Wexford. English. DBS. |
| Faith | fairly rare: E Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Falconer | numerous: Tyrone-Derry etc. English & Scottish from the practice of hawking but also an anglicisation of Ir. Ó Fachtna (personal name meaning hostile). There are variants: Falkiner, Faulkner. SI. |
| Falls | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Tyrone etc. English, 17 cent in Tyrone; also Ir. Mac Pháil and Ir. Ó Maolfábhail, q.v. Fall is very rare, but see MacFall & MacFaul. SI. |
| Fane | Very rare: Dublin. English, "well-disposed". Also Ir. Ó Fiacháin (Feehan). |
| Fardy | rare: Wexford-Waterford. English, long in Wexford. Probably same as Faraday. |
| Farley | Quite numerous: Armagh, E Tyrone, Belfast, Dublin etc. An English name usually standing for Ir. Ó Faircheallaigh (Farrelly) from Cavan. |
| Farlow | fairly rare: Ulster generally. English toponymic, recorded 17 cent. SI. |
| Farmer | Quite numerous: Fermanagh, Tyrone, Down etc. A common English name but MacLysaght considers it a translation of Mac Scolóige (scológ, a farmer). They were, among others, an erenagh family in Fermanagh. |
| Farnham | rare: Cavan. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Farr | fairly numerous: Mid-Ulster etc. English. from O.E. fearr - a bull. DBS. |
| Farrar | Quite numerous: S E Leinster, Ulster etc. English from Yorkshire, also as Ferrar, q.v. |
| Farrington | Quite numerous: Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow etc. English toponymic noted as early as 14 14 cent. Also more recent immigrants. MIF. |
| Farrow | Very rare: Ulster. English. Synonymous with Farrar & Ferrar, q.v. |
| Fawcett | Quite numerous: Cavan-Monaghan, Tyrone-Fermanagh. English toponymic first recorded 16 cent. Also as Fossett. SI. |
| Fayne | rare: Midlands. English. See Fane. |
| Fear | rare: scattered in Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Fearns | Very rare: scattered. Possibly English "Ferns". DBS. |
| Fears | Very rare: Scattered in Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Feathers | rare: Fermanagh. English. DBS. |
| Featherston | rare: Antrim, Roscommon etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Fell | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin and scattered. English, from fell = mountain. DBS. |
| Fellowes | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English. DBS. |
| Felton | rare: Dublin. English topomymic. DBS. |
| Fennell | numerous: S E Leinster, Limerick, Belfast etc. Ir. Ó Fionnghail (fair valour). The Irish name originated in Clare but the English name Fennell has long been associated with the South East and may account for many of the Fennells and Fennellys there. MIF. |
| Fenner | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast. An Irish topomymic, according to MacLysaght, the place-name being Fionnabhair (Fionúir), which occurs widely. However, an English origin cannot be ruled out. The latter could mean either "huntsman" or "marsh-dweller". SI. |
| Fenning | fairly rare: Down, Dublin etc. An English name in the north and a synonym of Fanning, q.v. |
| Fenton | numerous: Munster, E Ulster and generally. Ir. Ó Fiannachta (fionn, fair). A branch of Síol Muireadhaigh (Galway-Roscommon). This usually appears as Finnerty in Connacht and as Fenton in Limerick-Kerry. In the north and east, the name is probably English - a common toponymic there. MIF & DOS. |
| Fenwick | rare: Scattered. English, from a place in Northumbria. DOS. |
| Ferrar | Very rare: Dublin. English. Associated with Limerick. |
| Fetherston | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. English toponymic associated with Roscommon since 17 cent. SI. |
| Fidgeon | rare: Cork etc. English: from FitzJohn, or a corruption of MacGuigan. See also Pidgeon. SI. |
| Field | numerous: Cork and scattered. In Ulster: Field in Antrim, Belfast; Fields in Armagh and Derry. Generally of English origin but anglicisation of Ó Fithcheallaigh in Cork and of An Mhachaire in Armagh. SI. |
| Fielding | rare: Limerick etc. English generally but see also Feehily. |
| Figgis | Very rare: Dublin. English, 18 cent. MIF. |
| Filgate | rare: Louth. English, 17 cent. "field-gate". SI. |
| Finch | Quite numerous: E Ulster & scattered. English, 17 cent, of the nick-name type. Alternatively, it may be a variant of Funge, q.v. Ir. Fúinse. SI & SGG. |
| Fisher | numerous: Derry-N Antrim, Down etc. English & Scottish occupational name; sometimes anglicisation of Scots Mac an Iascair. |
| Fisk | Very rare: Dublin. English, from Norse form of "fish". DOS. |
| Fitch | rare: Belfast area. English, a lance or spear. DOS. |
| Fitton | rare: Cork. English, since 13 cent. Also Fetton. SI. |
| Fitz | Very rare: Dublin. Norman fitz = fils (French) = mac (Irish) = son (English). In this case the "patro" part of the name has been dropped. |
| Fitzgibbon | numerous: Munster etc. Ir. Mac Giobúin. The head of the family was the White Knight, one of the three Knights of Desmond. He resided near Newcastle West. There is another group in Mayo, related to the Burkes, who usually appear as Gibbons which is also an English name. Some Gibbons may well be of English origin. IF & SGG. |
| Fitzroy | rare: Dublin. English, "son of the king". A number of Fitz- names in England are said to relate to natural sons of royalty, e.g. FitzJames, FitzWilliam. DOS. |
| Fives | rare: Waterford-Wexford. Probably English, but see Fivey. |
| Fleetwood | rare: Dublin. English, settled in 16 & 17 cent. SI. |
| Fletcher | numerous: Ulster etc. This is an English name meaning "arrow-maker". The name was current in Scotland by 14 cent and gaelicised Mac an Fhleastair. It appears it came to Ulster in both forms in 17 cent. SS. |
| Flewitt | Very rare: Dublin. English. |
| Flinter | fairly rare: Carlow etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Flower | rare: Dublin etc. English. DBS. |
| Footman | Very rare: Cork. English - probably "foot-soldier". DBS. |
| Foott | Cork. Generally rare. Origins both English and Irish: Mac Coise (cos, a foot); Ó Troighthigh (foot-soldier). See Legge & Quish. |
| Forde | Very numerous: all areas. While this is common in England, in Ireland it stands for a number of indigenous names: Mac Giollarnáth, Mac Conshnámha, Ó Fuaráin, the first two in Connacht, the last in Cork-Waterford. Some English Fords settled in Meath in the 14 cent. The ancestor of Henry Ford (USA) came from Cork in 1847. IF. |
| Fordham | Rare: Galway, Down. English placename. DOS. |
| Foreman | mod.nos.: Belfast area. English. DBS. |
| Forrest | fairly numerous: Cork, Derry-Tyrone etc. Scottish & English. Gaelicised Foiréis. Also occurs as Frost. |
| Forrester | Quite numerous: Dublin, Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Forster | fairly numerous: Belfast, Down, Fermanagh, Longford. English, as Forrester. |
| Foster | numerous: Ulster, N Leinster, N Munster. English, (1) foster-parent, (2) variant of Forrester. Reaney also mentions Forseter, a shearer, as a possible derivation. DBS. |
| Fottrell | fairly rare: Dublin. English, since 15 cent. SI. |
| Foulds | Very rare: Cork. English, fold = cattle-pen. DBS. |
| Foulkes | rare: Down etc. English, folk = people. |
| Fowler | numerous: Dublin, Belfast and scattered in Ulster & Leinster. English, hunter of wildfowl. It has sometimes been substituted for Foley, q.v. |
| Fox | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. There are a number of Irish names: Sionnach, Mac an tSionnaigh, Ó Sionnaigh, Ó Catharnaigh, which have been anglicised Fox. Also there were English settlers in Limerick who gave their name to Móin an Bhoscaigh, i.e. Mount Fox. IF & SGG. |
| Foxton | rare: Arklow. English, from a number of placenames there. |
| Foyle | Quite numerous: Midlands, Galway. A English name of French derivation which has been in Ireland since 13 cent. Modern Foyles have gaelicised themselves Ó Foighil. MIF. |
| Foynes | rare: Laois-Kilkenny. Ir. Faghan. English of French origin (Fiennes). See Fynes. |
| Frame | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Dublin. English, 16 cent. MIF. |
| Franklin | fairly numerous: Limerick, Wexford, Down. Ir. Frainclín. English, 17 cent. Franklin, a freeholder (of land). SGG. |
| Freeborn | rare: Donegal etc. The name is both Scottish and English. Also Freebairn, which indicates a "free (inheriting) child". More commonly Freeburn. DBS & SS. |
| Freeman | numerous: Leinster & Ulster generally. A common English name but also an anglicisation of Ó Saoraidhe, Mac a' tSaoir. (saor, free, a craftsman). SI & SGG. |
| Freer | rare: Dublin. English, "friar" (brother). DBS. |
| French | numerous: E Ulster, Wexford, Waterford etc. Ir. Frínseach. One of the "Tribes of Galway" and long connected with Roscommon. Scottish & English, denoting French origin. IF. |
| Frewen | fairly rare: Dublin and scattered. English, "generous friend". SI, DOS. |
| Friar | fairly rare: Down etc. Ir. Mac a' Phríora. English, as Freer. |
| Friery | rare: Meath-W Meath. Ir. Mac a' Phríora (son of the prior). There is some confusion between Friar, an English name from the French frère, and Prior, an Irish name denoting a church official. See Freer, Friers. SI & SGG. |
| Frisby | rare: Dublin. An English placename, associated with Kilkenny. Also Ir. Mac Firbhisigh, see Forbes. SI & ASG. |
| Frost | Quite numerous: Clare, Limerick etc. Ir. an tSeaca; Fuiréast. An English name in Clare and prominent since 1700. The name relates to appearance or demeanour. DOS. |
| Fry | fairly numerous: Ulster generally, Dublin etc. An English name meaning "free". DBS. |
| Fryar | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down etc. An English name from "friar", a religious brother, but see also Prior. |
| Fulford r | Rare: Ulster. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Fullalove | rare: Belfast. English, example of nick-name type. DBS. |
| Fullam | Quite numerous: Meath, Dublin etc. English toponymic identified with Dublin since 13 cent. MIF. |
| Fuller | fairly numerous: Cork-Kerry, Dublin, Belfast. This English name has been in Kerry since 16 cent. Also possibly Ir. Mac an Úcaire (son of the fuller, cloth processing) |
| Furnell | Very rare: Limerick. English, 18 cent. SI. |
| Furness | rare: Down, Wexford etc. English, from Furness in Lancashire. |
| Fynes | fairly rare: Dublin. Ir. Faghan. English, 15 cent. Derived from Fiennes, a place in France. Also as Foynes and Fyans. MIF. |
| Gabbett | rare: Limerick, S E Leinster. Ir. Gabóid. English, 17 cent. Diminutive of Gabriel. |
| Gabriel | rare: Cork. English or French. |
| Gadd | rare: Down. Goad or sting - a nickname of English origin. DOS. |
| Gage | fairly rare: N Antrim etc. English. It is fairly frequent in England. |
| Gageby | rare: Dublin. Presumably an English toponymic but very rare there. |
| Gaines | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Gallogly | Quite numerous: Leitrim, Armagh etc. Ir. Mac an Ghallóglaigh, (gallóglach, a galloglass or mercenary soldier). A Donegal name, it has been changed to English and Englishby in some areas. See also Gollogly. MIF & SGG. |
| Gamble | numerous: Ulster etc. English, in Ulster 17 cent. See Gammell. |
| Gammon | Very rare: Down. English, one given to games. MacLysaght found the name in Munster and refers it to French gambon, leg. It is gaelicised Gambún. SI. |
| Garbutt | rare: Dublin. English. Fairly rare in England. DBS. |
| Garde | Quite numerous: Cork. English, linked with name Uniacke in Youghal since 14 cent. MacLysaght mentions Gardes who came to Cork from England in 17 cent. Ir. Geárd. |
| Garnett | Very rare: English, from North of England. DOS. |
| Garnham | rare: Belfast, Derry. English. A variant of Gernon - see Garland. |
| Garrett | numerous: Belfast, Down and scattered all areas. Ir. Gearóid. This English name is a corruption of Gerard or Gerald, sometimes used for FitzGerald. SI & DBS. |
| Garton | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Gash | rare: Cork. English. DBS. |
| Gaston | fairly numerous: Antrim etc. English and Scottish, 17 cent. SI. |
| Gates | Quite numerous: Portadown etc. English, synonym of Yates and Yeats. |
| Gaye | rare: Dublin, Cork etc. Ir. Mac Giolla Dé (servant of God). However present distribution suggests an English origin, which is from French gai, light-hearted. Quite common in England. See also Gildea and Kildea. |
| Gentles | rare: Dublin. English. Fairly rare in England. |
| German | Quite numerous: scattered. Ir. Gearmán. English or Scottish, probably from the Norman name Germund. SS. |
| Gerrard | fairly rare: scattered. Ir. Gearóid. English first name used as surname. |
| Gibbons | numerous: all areas particularly Connacht. Ir. Mac Giobúin. This is an English first name but most bearers of the name are descended from Anglo-Normans: either the Burkes of Connacht or the FitzGibbons of Limerick - the latter included the White Knight, one of the three Knights of Desmond. Those of Leinster and Ulster may derive from later English settlement. IF. |
| Gilbert | numerous: Belfast, Down, S E Leinster, Munster. Ir. Gilbeirt. English, in Leinster since mediaeval times, but probably Scottish in the north. Gilbert was an old English personal name also popular in Scotland. SI, DBS, SS. |
| Giles | numerous: Down & Tyrone, Meath-W Meath, Cork etc. Ir. Ó Glaisne; Glaisne was an early first name favoured in Ulster. The surname was associated with Louth. Elsewhere the name may be English, being derived there from a 6 cent French saint. There is a long association with Cork, where the name survives. SI. |
| Gillard | fairly rare: Mayo etc. Seemingly English from Devon. DOS. |
| Gillett | rare: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Gillian | rare: Belfast. Ir. Mac Gileáin (gile, brightness). This is also an English name dreived from first name Julian. |
| Gilliard | Very rare: Midlands. English, 17 cent. Similar to Gillard, q.v. |
| Gillman | fairly rare: Cork and scattered. English, 16 cent. Dimin. of French Guillaume. |
| Gillow | Very rare: Armagh. English toponymic from Hereford. DOS. |
| Gilson | rare: scattered. An English name but in Offaly it may stand for Gilsenan, q.v. |
| Giltrap | Quite numerous: Kildare etc. MacLysaght states this is English Gilthorpe, 18 cent. SI. |
| Gimblette | rare: Cork. An English nick-name. |
| Glazier | rare: Kerry. English occupational. See Gleasure. |
| Gleasure | fairly rare: Kerry. Ir. Gléasúr. English, comparatively recent arrivals. |
| Glendon | Quite numerous: Kilkenny-Tipperary, Cork. Ir. Mac Giolla Fhiondáin (devotee of St Fintan). MacAlinden etc. in Ulster. However, MacLysaght thinks Glendon may be of English origin. Woulfe gives Mac Giolla Fhindéin (devotee of St Finnian). |
| Gloster | rare: Limerick and adjoining areas. English toponymic in Limerick since 18 cent. |
| Glover | numerous: Ulster generally and Dublin. English occupational name which has been in Ireland since 15 cent. SI. |
| Goaley | rare: Galway. Ir. Ó Gabhlaigh & Ó Gúilidhe. The former from gabhalach = forked; the latter an anglicisation of English Gooley or Gulley. SI. |
| Goddard | fairly rare: Belfast, Dublin etc. English, "god-hard". DBS. |
| Godley | fairly rare: Kerry. English toponymic, long established in Kerry. |
| Godsell | fairly rare: Cork. English, "good soul". 17 cent. |
| Godwin | fairly rare: Midlands etc. Ir. Góidín, English, but also anglicisation of O'Dea, MacGoldrick, MacGuigan. See also Goodwin. SI 7 SGG. |
| Gohery | fairly rare: Galway, Midlands. Ir. Ó Gothraidh, derived from Norse Gothfrith a name meaning "god-peace". As this became Godfrey in English, the latter is often used as an anglicisation. The name was associated with E Galway and Offaly.MIF. |
| Golden | numerous: Galway-Mayo-Sligo etc. Ir. Ó Góilín, Mag Ualghairg. Derivations: goll, blind; ual+garg, proud-fierce. The latter is usually MacGoldrick, who were a branch of the O'Rourkes. Woulfe notes Mac Cuallachta of Sligo and appearing as Ó Guallachta in the spoken language. There were Goldens early English immigrants in Dublin and Cork, for which see also Goulding.MIF. |
| Goldsmith | rare: Belfast and scattered. English, 16 cent. SI. |
| Gollogly | fairly rare: S Armagh. Ir. Mac an Ghallóglaigh (gallóglach, foreign soldier) i.e. a mercenary. Originally of Donegal. It has been anglicised English, Englishby, Ingoldsby. See also Gallogly. |
| Good | numerous: E ULster, Cork, E Galway etc. Ir. Gud. English, 16 cent. |
| Goodall | Quite numerous: Belfast. English, 16 cent. Previously associated with Wexford. SI. |
| Goodbody | Quite numerous: Offaly-Tipperary etc. English, 17 cent. Well-known Quaker family. |
| Goodfellow | Quite numerous: Down etc. English, 17 cent. also anglicisation of Mac Uiginn which usually appears as MacGuigan. SI. |
| Goodison | rare: Wexford-Waterford etc. English. DBS. |
| Goodrich | rare: Antrim etc. English, "good ruler". DOS. |
| Goodwin | numerous: Ulster generally, Midlands, Limerick. An English name, "good friend", which also stands for a number of Irish names: Ó Goidín (Mayo); Ó Deá (Connacht); Mac Uiginn, Mag Ualghairg (Ulster). Only an investigation of family history can determine to which group one belongs. Also as Godwin. SI. |
| Goold | Quite numerous: Cork and scattered. Ir. Gúl. An English name, meaning gold, which came to Ireland in 13 cent, it has long been associated with Cork City. Also as Gould. |
| Gore | Quite numerous: E Ulster and scattered. Ir. de Gaor. English, 17 cent. Prominent as Land-owners in Connacht. Gore-Booth and Gore-Grimes are well-known families. |
| Goring | rare: Drogheda. English. DBS. |
| Gosling | Quite numerous: Louth etc. Ir. Góislín. English. Perhaps from name Jocelyn. SI. |
| Gosnell | rare: Cork. Ir. Góiséir (hosier). English who settled in W Cork in 18 cent. SI. |
| Goss | Quite numerous: Down, Louth etc. English. Abbreviation of Jocelyn etc. DOS. |
| Gossip | rare: Waterford. English, meaning god-parent. DBS. |
| Gosson | rare: Mayo. Ir. Ó Gusáin, gus = vigour. A family of Síol Muireadhaigh in Connacht, there is synonym: Gasson. There is also an English name of this form. |
| Goucher | rare: Dublin. English. "of good appearance". DBS. |
| Gould | numerous: Munster, E Ulster. etc. Ir. Gúl. English, 13 cent. See Goold. The occurrence in Ulster indicates a 17 cent immigration. MIF. |
| Goulding | fairly numerous: Cork-Waterford etc. Ir. Gúilín. English (Golding) settled in Cork after the Invasion. See Golden.MIF & SGG. |
| Gouldsborough | rare: Midlands etc. English. DBS. |
| Gower | rare: Belfast. English. DBS. |
| Gracey | numerous: Belfast, Down etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Grafton | rare: Antrim etc. English toponymic of widespread occurrence. DOS. |
| Grandison | rare: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Grange | fairly rare: Belfast. Ir. Gráinseach. English, worker at a grange or barn. |
| Granville | Quite numerous: Kerry and scattered. Ir. de Grainbhil. Also as Granfield. English, 17 cent. and possibly the earlier Norman de Granville. SI. |
| Grattan | Quite numerous: Down etc. Ir. Mag Reachtain. Woulfe says this is a corruption of Mac Neachtain, which is Scottish. MacGrattan, being also found in Down, would seem to confirm this. However, the Grattans of Dublin (of whom Henry Grattan, the statesman) were a noted family in 17 cent, and bear an English toponymic. SI, IF & DBS. |
| Graves | Quite numerous: Dublin and scattered. Ir. de Gréibh; Ó Griabháin, the latter a Connacht name which may appear as Greaves. However, this name is primarily of English origin and is identified with a remarkable family of scholars and churchmen reminiscent of the old Gaelic order. IF. |
| Grayson | Very rare: Belfast area. English, from grieve, a steward. SI. |
| Greaves | fairly rare: Ulster generally and Dublin. Ir. de Gréibh. English, 17 cent. See Greeves. |
| Greenaway | fairly numerous: Down-Armagh. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Greene | Very numerous: all provinces. Ir. de Graoin. It also stands for a number of Irish names: Mac Grianna, Ó hUaithne, Ó hUaithnín, Mac Glaisín, Ó Grianáin. It is also, of course, English and Scottish, which may account for many of the Greenes in Ulster and Dublin. |
| Greenfield | Quite numerous: Down etc. English. |
| Greensmith | rare: Limerick etc. English, "worker in copper". DOS. |
| Greenwood | Quite numerous: Belfast, Antrim. English, from W Yorkshire. |
| Greeves | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down. Ir. de Gréibh. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Gregg | numerous: Ulster and scattered. English and Scottish, 17 cent. Short form of Gregory. |
| Gregory | fairly numerous: Belfast, Down-Armagh, E Leinster. Ir. Mac Gréagóir. The name is also English, a family who settled in Kerry in 17 cent and later at Coole, Galway. Whence Lady Augusta Gregory (1859-1932) of the literary renaissance. IF. |
| Gregson | fairly rare: Down etc. English. See Gregg. |
| Greif | rare: Dublin. An English name meaning overseer or farm-bailiff. DBS. |
| Grendon | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Gresty | rare: Dublin. English, from place in Cheshire. DOS. |
| Greville | fairly rare: Midlands. English, from place in France. DBS. |
| Grieve | mod.nos,: Belfast area etc. Ir. de Gréibh. The 17 cent version of the English name Greeve. The complicated derivation is discussed by MacLysaght in Surnames of Ireland. |
| Grigg | rare: Belfast area, Louth. English. DBS. |
| Grills | rare: Belfast area, Louth. English. DBS. |
| Grimason | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English, Grimm's son? DOS. |
| Grimes | numerous: Tyrone & Ulster generally, Midlands, Connacht, N Munster. Ir. Ó Gréacháin in the south, Ó Garmaile in Ulster. MacLysaght says that Ó Greidhm, used in Munster is a recent invention. The name is current in England, derived from the Old English "grim", meaning just that! It may well be represented amongst the Grimes of the eastern part of Ireland. SI, SGG & DOS. |
| Grimshaw | rare: Belfast area etc. English, from place in Lancashire. |
| Grimson | rare: Dublin etc. English, Grimm's son, no doubt. DOS. |
| Grindle | rare: Belfast. English, "green dale". DBS. |
| Groome | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands. English. DBS. |
| Groves | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Kerry etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Grubb | Very rare: Limerick. An English name found in Tipperary in 17 cent. |
| Gubbins | Quite numerous: Limerick-Tipperary, Cork etc. Ir. Ó Goibín, gob = mouth. However, the Irish name relates to Ulster. In the south, it is more probably English, having appeared in Limerick in 17 cent. MIF. |
| Guest | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Wexford etc. English. DBS. |
| Gully | rare: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Gunning | numerous: Connacht, Midlands, N Munster, Ulster. Ir. Ó Conaing, from the first name Conaing. A sept of Dál gCais, located at Caisleán Ó gConaing (now Castleconnell). This would account for the Gunnings in Munster and Connacht but those in Ulster are no doubt of English origin. See Goonan.MIF & SGG. |
| Gurnett | rare: Kerry. English. DBS. |
| Gurney | fairly rare: Ulster. English and Scottish. DBS & SS. |
| Gurrie | rare: Sligo. Ir. Mac Gothraidh, from the Norse Gothfrith "god-peace" which became Godfrey in English. A name associated with the O'Reillys of Breifne. |
| Gyves | rare: scattered. English, cognate with Jeeves, but derivation not clear. DBS. |
| Habington | rare: Dublin. Presumably an English toponymic. |
| Hackney | rare: E Ulster. English. Probably from placename in Middlesex, but the name also exists in Scotland. DBS & SS. |
| Hadden | fairly numerous: E Ulster and scattered. Ir. Ó hAidín (SGA). English or Scottish in Ulster, it can also be an anglicisation of Ó h-Éidín; see Headon. SI & SGG. |
| Haddock | Quite numerous: mainly E Ulster. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Haines | rare: Dublin & Belfast. English, see Haynes. Also Ir. Ó h-Eidhin (Hynes). DOS. |
| Haldane | rare: Belfast area. English, "half-Dane". DBS. |
| Hales | fairly numerous: Cork-Waterford, E Ulster etc. Ir. Mac Héil (SGA), Mac Haol (SGG). From Welsh first name Hywel, early settlers in Mayo. Also an English name, known in Cork since 17 cent. Very rarely Hailes and Hayles. SI & SGG. |
| Haley | Very rare: E Ulster. English toponymic. |
| Halford | Quite numerous: Leinster etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Halfpenny | rare: Down. English, from nick-name or amount of rent. See Halpenny. DOS. |
| Hallam | rare: E Ulster. English toponymic common in Notts and Derbyshire. DOS. |
| Hallawell | Very rare: Fermanagh. English toponymic, "holy well". DOS. |
| Hallett | rare: Fermanagh. English, cognate with Adlard which does not occur in Ireland. DBS. |
| Halliday | numerous: English, 17 cent. cognate with Holliday. DBS. |
| Halsall | rare: Down etc. Apparently English. |
| Halsey | rare: Down etc. Apparently English. |
| Halton | Quite numerous: Cavan-Monaghan-Louth, Midlands. Ir. Ó h-Ultacháin, Ultach, Ulsterman. It is also an English toponymic gaelicised Haltún. SI & SGG. |
| Ham | rare: Down etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Hamm | rare: Waterford. English, "river-meadow". DOS. |
| Hammersley | rare: Tipperary, Belfast. English. |
| Hammond | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin. From the Norse personal name Amundr, this name pre-dates the Norman Invasion, but was also borne by later English settlers. It may stand for Mac Ámainn (MacCammon) which was associated with Down. SI & SGG. |
| Hampson | fairly rare: Derry-Tyrone, Dublin etc. Ir. Ó h-Amhsaigh. See Hampsey. Apart from Ulster, this name is apparently English, "son of Hamo", a Teutonic first name. DBS. |
| Hampton | fairly numerous: Down etc. Ir. de Hamtún. English, since mediaeval times but 17 cent in Down. |
| Hamrogue | rare: Mayo. Ir. Hamróg. A case of an English toponymic, Hambroke, first gaelicised and then re-anglicised to Hamrogue. SI & SGG. |
| Hanbidge | rare: Wicklow-Wexford. An English family. |
| Hanbury | rare: scattered in Connacht. Ir. Ó h-Ainmhire, ain+mire (levity). The name may also be English with a synonym Ansboro in Mayo. SI & SGG. |
| Hancock | Quite numerous: Dublin and scattered in Ulster. English. DOS. |
| Hand | numerous: N Midlands, Ulster generally, Dublin. Ir. Mag Fhlaithimh, flaitheamh, meaning prince. Synonymous with Claffey, Glavey and Lavan, as a result of pseudo- translation. The name can also be of English origin in Dublin and Ulster. SI & SGG. |
| Handforth | rare: scattered in Ulster. English from placename in Cheshire. |
| Handley | rare: Dublin, Down. This is an English toponymic not to be confused with the native Hanley, q.v. |
| Hankard | Very rare: E Cork. English, 16 cent. |
| Hanson | Quite numerous: Ulster. Ir. Ó h-Amhsaigh, see Hampsey. Also a common English name. |
| Hanton | fairly rare: S E Leinster etc. English. DBS. |
| Harbourne | fairly rare: Kildare etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Harcourt | rare: Ballymena. Ir. Fearchar. English toponymic. See street in Dublin 2. |
| Hardcastle | Very rare: scattered. English. From place in W Yorkshire. |
| Harden | rare: Belfast. Ir. Mac Giolla Deacair. (SGA). Also English, see Hardy. SI. |
| Harding | fairly numerous: South East and Dublin. English, 15 & 17 cent. SI. |
| Hardwicke | Very rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, "sheep-farm". DOS. |
| Hardy | numerous: Antrim-Down, Dublin, N Leinster. Ir. Mac Giolla Deacair, (deacair, difficult). The Irish name relates mainly to the West; elsewhere, Hardy is more likely the English name meaning brave. SI, DBS. |
| Harewood | Very rare: Belfast, Dublin. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Harford | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 13 cent. "de Hereford". Possibly a Norse name, pre-dating the Invasion. SI &MIF. |
| Hargraves | fairly rare: Antrim-Down, Dublin, Cork. Hargrove in Laois. An English toponymic. DBS. |
| Harker | rare: Tyrone etc. English, "listener". DBS. |
| Harkin | numerous: Derry-Donegal & Ulster generally; also Midlands. Ir. Ó h-Earcáin, earc, red. They were erenaghs in Inishowen (Donegal). A similar English name exists.MIF. |
| Harland | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English, a Yorkshire name. DOS. |
| Harley | Quite numerous: Derry-Donegal & Ulster generally; scattered elsewhere. English toponymic. |
| Harling | rare: Meath. English, "earl-friend". DBS. |
| Harlowe | rare: Roscommon-Galway etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Harnesse | Very rare: Galway etc. English occupational name, "maker of harness". DBS. |
| Harper | numerous: Ulster generally; Wexford-Kilkenny etc. Anglo-Norman, 13 cent in Leinster. In Ulster the name is English from 17 cent. The harp was not exclusively Irish. SI. |
| Harris | Very numerous: all areas especially Ulster. Ir. Ó h-Earchaidh. The name is usually of English origin and relating to the Plantation of Ulster. In Connacht it may be an anglicisation of the indigenous name. This also applies to Harrison. SI & SGG. |
| Harrow | rare: Limerick etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Harte | Very numerous: most areas, especially Ulster & Connacht. Ir. Ó h-Airt, Art, a very popular personal name meaning "bear". Originally a Meath sept of the Southern Uí Néill, they were expelled to Connacht. Some Hartes in Ulster may be of English origin. IF. |
| Hartford | rare: Meath. English toponymic, "stag ford". DOS. |
| Hartley | fairly numerous: Ulster generally & the South East. Ir. Ó h-Artghaile (noble valour). A family who were chiefs in Wexford at the time of the Invasion. The people in Ulster may well be of English origin, as it is a common toponymic in England. SGG. |
| Harvey | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English, from a Breton personal name introduced at the time of the Norman conquest of England. Woulfe also gives it as an anglicisation of the Galway name Ó h-Airmheadhaigh, perhaps from airmed, a measure of grain. Bagenel Harvey (1752-98) was one of the heroes of the Rebellion of 1798. IF & SGG. |
| Harwood | fairly rare: Down etc. English toponymic. SI & DOS. |
| Haskins | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin etc. English of Norman origin; also a native Connacht name, Ó h-Uiscín, usually rendered Waters. Most current names seem to belong to the former category. SI & DBS. |
| Haslem | Quite numerous: Laois-Offaly, Ulster etc. English toponymic "dweller by the hazels", which dates from 17 cent. SI. |
| Haslette | fairly numerous: Ulster generally etc. Another English locative name relating to hazels. Also apparently from 17 cent. DBS. |
| Hasley | Very rare: Lisburn. One of many English names deriving from "hazel". |
| Hassard | Quite numerous: Fermanagh etc. English, DBS. |
| Hassett | numerous: Munster generally etc. Ir. Ó h-Aiseadha, a sept of Thomond (Clare) located at Bunratty. Not to be confused with Blennerhassett, 16 cent English. SI. |
| Hastings | numerous: E Ulster, Derry City, Mayo-Galway etc. Ir. Ó h-Oistín from Norse personal name - a sept of N Connacht. In Ulster, it is likely to be English, deriving from the place in Sussex. SGG & DBS. |
| Hatch | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Louth etc. English, 17 cent associated with Louth-Meath. SI. |
| Hatchell | rare: Antrim etc. Presumably derived from English "hatch", a gate. |
| Hathaway | rare: scattered. English. DBS. |
| Hatrick | rare: Derry etc. English. DBS. |
| Hattie | rare: Down and Dublin. English. |
| Hatton | fairly numerous: Belfast etc. and the South East. Ir. Mac Giolla Chatáin (devotee of St Catan), associated with Derry-Antrim; in Leinster, more likely of English origin. |
| Haughton | fairly numerous: Dublin and scattered. Mainly English, associated with the Quakers. Also Ir. Ó h-Eacháin for which see Haughan. SI. |
| Havel | Very rare: Waterford. English, the name Havell is current in London. |
| Hawes | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Cork etc. Ir. Ó h-Eachach, i.e. equivalent to Haugh; also Ó h-Eochadha who were kings of Ulster in 11 cent. Also an English toponymic. SGG. |
| Hawke | Quite numerous: Tyrone, Cork etc. English occupational name. DBS. |
| Hawkins | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin etc. English name occasionally used for Haughan, q.v. |
| Hawkshaw | rare: Mayo-Galway etc. English toponymic. |
| Haworth | rare: E Ulster etc. English from place in Yorkshire. |
| Hay | Quite numerous: Ulster etc. English toponymic but also Ir. Ó h-Aodha which is usually Hayes. |
| Haycock | Very rare: E Ulster. English, diminutive of Hay. DBS. |
| Haydock | rare: Tyrone etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Haynes | fairly rare: E Ulster, Cork etc. English generally and double plural of Hay. It may stand for Hynes in Munster. SI & DBS. |
| Hayter | Very rare: E Ulster. English, variant of Height. DBS. |
| Haythornthwaite | Very rare: Wexford. English, "hawthorn meadow". DBS. |
| Hayward | rare: Down etc in Ulster, Dublin. English, "hedge protector". DBS. |
| Haywood | Very rare: Ulster. English toponymic. |
| Hazard | rare: Down etc. English, perhaps "gambler". DBS. |
| Hazel | fairly rare: Down and scattered. English and possibly Ir. Mac Conchoille. DBS. |
| Hazelton | Quite numerous: Tyrone etc. English toponymic, originally Hazelden. |
| Hazlett | Quite numerous: Antrim etc. English, "dweller by a hazel copse". DBS. |
| Hazley | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English, another "hazel" placename. |
| Heade | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English. DOS. |
| Heading | rare: Belfast area. English but rare across the water. |
| Headley | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. |
| Heald | Very rare: Belfast area. English toponymic "slope". DBS. |
| Hearst | rare: Belfast area etc. English locative name, "wooded hill", usually Hurst. |
| Heasley | Quite numerous: Down etc. English, derived from "hazel". |
| Heaslip | fairly numerous: Cavan-Longford, Wickow, Down etc. English, 17 cent, with many spellings: Haslip, Hyslop etc. "Dweller in hazel valley". SI & DBS. |
| Heath | Quite numerous: Down, Dublin and scattered. English toponymic, in Dublin 16 cent. SI. |
| Heather | Quite numerous: Dublin, Down etc. English. DBS. |
| Heatherton | Quite numerous: Ulster generally. English. See also Hetherton. DBS. |
| Heatley | fairly numerous: Belfast and Ulster generally, also Dublin. An English toponymic. |
| Heaton | Very rare: E Ulster etc. English toponymic, in Offaly 17 cent. SI. |
| Hedley | Quite numerous: Antrim-Down. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Hellier | Very rare: Dublin. English, "roofer". DOS. |
| Helme | Very rare: Dublin. English or Scottish. DBS & SS. |
| Hemmings | Very rare: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Hemmingway | rare: Wexford etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Hempenstall | Quite numerous: Dublin, E Leinster. English, 17 cent from Heptonstall in W Yorkshire. Associated with Wicklow in 18 cent. MIF & DBS. |
| Henderson | Very numerous: all parts especially Ulster, least in Munster. Mainly Scottish and N English (son of Henry). Usually appearing 18 cent. Ir. Mac Éinrí, Mac Aindréis. ASG. |
| Hendley | rare: Dublin-Wicklow. English toponymic but may stand for Hennelly, q.v. |
| Hendron | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. English, 18 cent. MIF. |
| Hendy | Quite numerous: Kildare-Laois etc. English, associated with Kildare. SI. |
| Henley | fairly rare: Waterford (Tallow) etc. An English locative name but may stand for Hennelly and Hanley. SI. |
| Henn | rare: Limerick. English, for Henry or as a nickname. DBS. |
| Henning | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim. Scottish or English. SI & SS. |
| Henshaw | fairly rare: Belfast, Dublin etc. English. DBS. |
| Henson | rare: Athlone area. This may be either: Ir. Ó h-Amhsaigh (see Hampsey) or English. As the Irish name relates closely to Derry, the present grouping may be in the latter category. Reaney gives "son of Hayne or Hendy". MIF & DBS. |
| Hepworth | rare: E Ulster, Cork. English placename in Suffolk. |
| Herald | fairly rare: E Ulster. English, used for Harold, q.v. |
| Herbert | numerous: Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Limerick-Kerry-Clare & E Ulster. Ir. Hoirbeard. Anglo-Normans, also 16 cent English settlers in Kerry. SI. |
| Herdman | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English. SI. |
| Herrick | rare: Cork. English. DBS. |
| Herriott | rare: Cork-Limerick. English, diminutive of Henry. DBS. |
| Hesketh | rare: Belfast. English toponymic (northern). |
| Hetherington | numerous: Tyrone-Fermanagh-Derry and Ulster generally. English, from Northumbria. In Laois 16 cent. SI. |
| Hett | Very rare: Roscommon-Mayo. English toponymic from Durham. |
| Hewson | Quite numerous: Dublin, Connacht, Limerick etc. Ir. Mac Aodha. An English name but used also as synonym for MacHugh. SI. |
| Heyes | rare: Down. English or a variant of Hayes, q.v. |
| Heywood | Rare Down, Dublin etc. English toponymic (many places). |
| Hezlett | rare: E Ulster. English toponymic. See Hazlett. |
| Hibbert | rare: Down etc. English, from Teutonic personal name. DBS. |
| Hibbitt | Very rare: Dublin etc. English. DBS. |
| Hick | rare: Dublin. English, diminutive of Richard. |
| Hickinson | fairly rare: Antrim. English, from first name Hick (Richard). |
| Hickman | Very rare: E Ulster. English - in Clare in 17 cent. |
| Hicks | fairly numerous: Fermanagh and Ulster generally, Dublin. English, see Hickinson. |
| Hickson | fairly rare: Dublin, Down, Kerry etc. English, early 17 cent in Kerry. See Hicks. |
| Higgans | rare: Down, Dublin. See Higgins. Also possibly English, cognate with Hicks, q.v. |
| Higginbotham | Quite numerous: Down, Dublin, Kildare etc. English toponymic, "oak valley". |
| Higginson | fairly numerous: E Ulster. English, diminutive of Higg, a form of Hick. |
| Higgs | Very rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, a voiced form of Hick, i.e. Richard. |
| Higham | rare: Belfast area etc. English toponymic. |
| Hill | Very numerous: all areas especially E Ulster. In south and west it may represent the Irish agnomen a'Chnoic, "of the hill"; generally an English toponymic but also from personal name Hille. DBS. |
| Hillen | Quite numerous Down etc. English. DBS. |
| Hillery | fairly rare: Clare. English, associated with Clare. The Irish Ó h-Irghile is not fully based linguistically but is generally accepted. MacLysaght, himself a Clareman, gives Helaoire as a local gaelicisation. SI. |
| Hillhall | rare: Belfast etc. English toponymic. |
| Hilliard | fairly numerous: Kerry, Midlands etc. English, from Yorkshire in 17 cent. Associated with Kerry ever since. MIF. |
| Hillier | rare: Down. English occupational name, "slater". DBS. |
| Hillis | fairly rare: Ulster, particularly Antrim; also in South East. English, 18 cent. DBS. |
| Hillman | rare: Derry-Antrim etc. English. DBS. |
| Hilton | fairly rare: Antrim, Belfast, Dublin. Both English and Scottish, coming in the Plantation of Ulster, 1609. SI. |
| Hinchliffe | Very rare: E Ulster. English, from Hinchcliff in W Yorkshire. DBS. |
| Hind | fairly numerous: Ulster generally, Dublin etc. English, "timid as hind" or Old English hine, a servant. See also Hynes. SI. |
| Hindle | Very rare: Kilkenny. Probably English. |
| Hindman | rare: E Ulster. English, probably a nickname. |
| Hines | rare: Belfast, Dublin. English, "servant"; also possibly a variant of Hynes. |
| Hingston | rare: Down etc. English toponymic from Cambridgeshire. DOS. |
| Hinton | fairly rare: E Ulster. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Hipwell | fairly rare: Midlands, Wexford etc. English, in Laois 17 cent. SI. |
| Hirst | rare: Belfast, Dublin. English toponymic. More usual as Hurst. |
| Hitchcock | rare: Dublin. English, a diminutive of Hitch (Richard). |
| Hitchens | Very rare: Belfast etc. English, again derived from first name Hitch. |
| Hitchmann | Very rare: Waterford. English, "servant of Hitch". DBS. |
| Hitchmough | Very rare: Cork. English, "brother-in-law of Hitch". DBS. |
| Hoare | numerous: Munster & Connacht etc. Ir. de Hóir, de Hóra. Anglo-Normans associated with Wexford where it occurs as Hore. They also settled in Munster generally. In Connacht, it may stand for Ó h-Earchadha (Ó h-Earchaí). Some may be descended from later English settlers. MIF. |
| Hobart | rare: Down-Antrim. English, as Hubert, "mind-bright". DBS. |
| Hobbert | rare: Kerry. English,from Teutonic first name, Hubert. |
| Hobbins | rare: Limerick-Clare-Kerry. English, as Hobbs. |
| Hobbs | fairly numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Wexford etc. English, 17 cent. Diminutive of Robert. |
| Hobson | numerous: Armagh-Down etc; Dublin-Wicklow. English, 17 cent. "son of Hobb". |
| Hockedy | Very rare: Limerick. Hockaday, an English name related to the second Tuesday after Easter when rents etc. were paid; so one born then. DBS. |
| Hockley | rare: Antrim-Down, Kerry. English. |
| Hodder | rare: Cork. English, 17 cent. "hood-maker". SI. |
| Hodgers | fairly rare: Dublin, Louth, Waterford. English, another of the Hodge group. |
| Hodges | Quite numerous: Ulster, scattered in South. English, from first name, Roger. |
| Hodgett | fairly rare: Down etc. English. |
| Hodgins | fairly numerous: Midlands, South East, Limerick-Tipperary, Down. English, 17 cent. |
| Hodgkinson | rare: Belfast, Dublin, Limerick. English, diminutive of Hodge + son. |
| Hodgson | rare: scattered in Ulster, Dublin. English, as. |
| Hodnett | Quite numerous: Cork-Limerick etc. English, diminutive of first name Odo. They adopted the Gaelic patronymic MacSherry - hence Courtmacsherry in Cork, where they settled. |
| Hodson | Quite numerous: Dublin, Connacht. English, as Hodge. |
| Hogarth | Very rare: Belfast. Probably English, "hog-herd", but may be Ó h-Ógairt, abbreviation of Hogarty. |
| Hogge | numerous: Ulster mainly, Dublin and scattered. English, hog = pig, but sometimes used for Hagan, i.e. Ó h-Aogáin. SGA & DBS. |
| Holbrook | rare: Belfast. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Holden | numerous: Antrim, Kilkenny-Wexford-Waterford etc. Usually a variant of Howlin but in Ulster it is likely to be an English toponymic from Yorkshire or Lancashire. |
| Holdsworth | fairly rare: Down-Tyrone-Antrim. English toponymic from W Yorkshire. DBS. |
| Holliday | rare: Down. English; name given to one born on day of religious festival. Also as Halliday. DBS. |
| Hollingsworth | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 17 cent in Connacht. SI. |
| Hollis | rare: Antrim. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Hollyoak | Very rare: Antrim. English, dweller by holy or Gospel oak. DBS. |
| Holman | fairly rare: Dublin, E Ulster etc. English, "dweller by hollow". DBS. |
| Holmes | Very numerous: all provinces especially Ulster. According to MacLysacht, it is not usually of English origin. There are Scottish Holmes in Ulster, derived from Mac Thómais (Gaelic). However, the widespread distribution, without any obvious native synonym, leaves the matter in question. This name is common in England. SI. |
| Holte | Quite numerous: Down-Louth-Meath, Wicklow etc. Ir. Hólt. An English name meaning "wood". It has been in Ireland since 14 cent. SI. |
| Holton | Quite numerous: Meath-Kildare etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Homan | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork. English, 17 cent, first settled in W Meath. SI. |
| Honeyford | rare: Down etc. English toponymic relating to honey. |
| Honeyman | rare: Down, Dublin etc. English, "seller of honey". DBS. |
| Hood | fairly numerous: E Ulster etc. Ir. Ó h-Uid. A bardic family attached to the O'Neills. Also an English name, "maker of hoods". See also Mahood. MIF. |
| Hooke | fairly rare: Dublin, E Ulster etc. English toponymic or nickname. DBS. |
| Hooper | fairly rare: E Ulster and the South East etc. English occupational name. DOS. |
| Hooton | Very rare: Mallow (Cork). English, as Hutton, q.v. |
| Hopes | Quite numerous: Down-Antrim, Dublin, Midlands, Mayo. English toponymic, "enclosed valley". DOS. |
| Hopkins | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, N Midlands, Connacht. English in Ulster and E Leinster; in Connacht, Longford etc, it is Ir. Ó h-Oibicín which appeared as Hobigan in 17 cent. This may be a gaelicisation of a Norman name. MacLysacht mentions Mac Oibicín as a variant. SI &MIF. |
| Hopley | rare: Belfast area. English. |
| Hopper | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Dublin etc. English or Scottish, "dancer". DOS & SS. |
| Hopwood | Very rare: Belfast, Derry. English toponymic from Lancashire. DBS. |
| Horne | fairly rare: Cork, Dublin, Belfast etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Horner | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim etc. English, "maker of objects from horn". DBS. |
| Hornibrook | fairly rare: Cork etc. Probably English toponymic cognate with hern, a nook or corner. The name has been in Cork since 17 cent. SI. |
| Horsfield | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Horsman | rare: Dublin etc. English and possibly Ir. Mac Eachaidh, MacCaughey. |
| Horton | rare: Dublin. English toponymic, "muddy place". DOS. |
| Hosford | Quite numerous: Cork etc. English, in Cork since 17 cent. MIF. |
| Hosgood | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English: properly Osgood. |
| Hoskins | rare: Cork, E Leinster etc. English, dimin. of Teutonic first name Osgod. DBS. |
| Houghton | rare: scattered. English toponymic. Ir. de Hochtún. (SGA) |
| Houlden | rare: Dublin. English, "dweller in hollow valley". DBS. |
| House | rare: Belfast area. English, "one employed at the house" (probably a religious house). |
| Hovendon | rare: Kildare etc. An English family of this name settled in Tyrone in 16 cent under Hugh O'Neill (the Great Earl) and one of them was his secretary. The name may still survive as Huffington. The name was in Laois-Kildare in 16 cent. MIF. |
| Howard | numerous: all areas, especially Munster. A notable English name which, in some cases, may be an anglicisation of Ó h-Íomhair (Clare) and Ó h-Óghairt. SGG. |
| Howarth | rare: Belfast area, Dublin. English toponymic. (Lancs & Yorks). |
| Howes | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English, also a synonym for Hoey and Haugh. |
| Howett | rare: Dublin. English, dimin. of Hugh. DBS. |
| Howick | rare: Cork etc. English toponymic. (Lancs). |
| Howorth | Very rare: Dublin. English, see Haworth. |
| Hoyles | rare: Down etc. English, "hollow" (DOS). Also possible anglicisation of Mac Giolla Chomhghaill (Coyle). SI &MIF. |
| Hubbard | fairly rare: Dublin and scattered. English, from first name Hubert, "mind bright". |
| Huddleson | rare: Belfast area. English, Hudd + son. Hudd was a pet name for Hugh. DBS. |
| Huddleston | Quite numerous: Down etc. English toponymic, W Yorkshire. |
| Hudson | numerous: Dublin, Ulster, E Leinster etc. English, 17 cent. "son of Hudd", a pet form of Hugh or Richard. |
| Huey | Quite numerous: Ulster generally. Ir. Ó h-Eochaidh. See Hoey. MacLysacht points out that this is also a settler name derived from Hugh, so could be of Scottish or English origin. SI. |
| Huffington | rare: Down-Antrim. English toponymic (DBS), but see also Hovendon. |
| Huggard | fairly rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English and Huguenot, 17 & 18 cent. SI. |
| Huggins | rare: Belfast area and scattered. Ir. Ó h-Aogáin (SGA). Also an English name from Norfolk and dimin. of first name Hugh. DOS. |
| Hughes | Very numerous: all areas except Munster. Ir. Ó h-Aodha, Mac Aodha, from first name Aodh, meaning "fire". Shared by many families, those in Munster being anglicised Hayes and O'Hea. The name is also a common English one based on the Teutonic first name Hugo which became Hugh. This latter has entirely replaced the native Aodh. |
| Hull | numerous: E Ulster. English, analogous with Hill. DBS. |
| Hulme | rare: Belfast area. English, "river-island" (Holm). |
| Humes | numerous: Ulster generally, scattered in south. Scottish from barony of Home in Berwickshire; also English, from holly or holm-oak. DOS. |
| Humphrey | numerous: all areas except Connacht but especially Ulster. English from first name Humphrey. Present in Ulster 17 cent and gaelicised Mac Unfraidh, Unfraidh. |
| Hunniford | Quite numerous: Portadown etc. English toponymic, relating to honey, but very rare there. |
| Hunt | numerous: all areas, especially Connacht and Munster. An English name which may account for many in Ulster and Leinster, but it is generally an anglicisation of Ó Fiaich, Ó Fiacha, Ó Fiachna, Ó Fiachra, because the resemblance to the Irish word fiach, meaning hunt (the chase). See Feheney, Feighery, Fee. MIF. |
| Hunter | Very numerous: mainly Ulster, also Dublin & Cork. Scottish and English, 17 cent. |
| Huntley | Very rare: Belfast area. English and Scottish. |
| Hurrell | Quite numerous: Randalstown (Antrim) etc. Ir. Ó h-Earghaill, see Arrell. It is also an English name meaning "hairy". SI & DBS. |
| Hutch | fairly rare: N Cork etc. Ir. Húiste (SGA). English, pet name for Hugh. |
| Hutcheon | Very rare: Derry-Antrim. English, diminutive of Hugh. |
| Hutcheson | fairly rare: Belfast etc. Scottish & English, Hutch + son. |
| Hutchings | rare: Antrim etc. English or Scottish, derived from Hutch. |
| Hutchinson | Very numerous: all areas, particularly Ulster. Ir. Mac Úistín. This name may be of Scottish or English origin. Derived as others from Hutch = Hugh. |
| Hutton | numerous: all areas, especially Derry and Ulster generally. English toponymic. |
| Huxley | rare: E Ulster: English toponymic. DBS. |
| Hyde | numerous: E Cork, Armagh-Down etc. Ir. de Híde, de h-Íde. English, 14 cent in Kilkenny; 16 cent in Cork, whence Dubhglas de HÍde, co-founder of Conradh na Gaeilge and first President of Ireland (1938-45). SI & IF. |
| Hyman | rare: Belfast. English, "hay-man". This is also a Jewish name. |
| Hynds | fairly numerous: Ulster. English, hind = servant. |
| Hynes | numerous: all areas, especially Connacht, N Munster, S Leinster. Ir. Ó h-Eidhin, eidheann, ivy. A sept who were chiefs of Aidhne (S Galway). In Ulster the name may be of English origin, for which see Hine. |
| Imrie | Very rare: Down. English & Scottish, from Teutonic first name Amalric. Synonyms include Amery and Embury. DBS. |
| Ince | rare: scattered. English toponymic, "island, river-meadow" - remarkably like inis in Irish. |
| Ingham | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Ingle | rare: Dublin, Cork. English, "Ing's valley". DOS. |
| Inglis | Quite numerous: Down-Antrim, Dublin. Irish spelling of the adjective "English", which also occurs and which see. |
| Inglis | English: líonmhar: Tiobraid Árann-Luimneach thoir, Cúige Uladh. Gaelaíodh é siar sa 13 céad. Luimníoch do b'ea an t-Ath. Liam Inglis OSA (1709-1778), duine d'fhilí suntasacha an chéid sin. |
| Ingoldsby | rare: Dublin. Ir. Mac an Ghallóglaigh, (galloglass, mercenary soldier); otherwise Gollogly. Ingoldsby is a place in Lincolnshire but now an Irish more than an English name. MIF. |
| Ingram | fairly numerous: Antrim-Down, Dublin etc. Scottish & English, present in Limerick 17 cent. SI & SS. |
| Iremonger | rare: Dublin. English, "ironmonger". A well-established Irish name. |
| Irwin | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. Moderate numbers in S Limerick and E Cork. Ir. O h-Eireamhóin & Ó Ciarmhacáin (SGG). However, MacLysaght considers the name is generally of settler origin, either a synonym of Irvine or from an English first name. |
| Isherwood | rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Ivers | fairly numerous: scattered but mainly Dublin. Ir. Mac Íomhair, Ó h-Íomhair. Otherwise of English settler origin. See Mac Ivor & Howard. MIF. |
| Ives | rare: Belfast. English, from Norman & Breton first name, Yve. Fr. if, iúr. DBS. |
| Iveston | Very rare: Down. English, derived from first name Ive, Yve. |
| Ivory | Quite numerous: Dublin & South East etc. English, 17 cent, associated with Wexford. The name occurs in Scotland, deriving from Scots Gaelic Iamharach, but does not seem to have transferred to Ireland. MIF. |
| Jack | Quite numerous: Ulster, Dublin. English or Scottish, usually from pet name for John. SI. |
| Jackman | Quite numerous: South East, Limerick, Fermanagh. English, associated with Kilkenny. Originating in Devon and meaning Jack's servant. DOS. |
| Jackson | Very numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster. English, 17 cent. Ir. Mac Siacais, SGA. |
| Jacobs | numerous: Dublin, South East etc. English, since 14 cent but mainly of 17 cent origin. |
| Jagoe | fairly rare: Dublin & Cork. English, 16 cent. Ir. Mac Iagó. See Igoe. MIF. |
| Jarvis | fairly rare: Ulster generally. English from first name Gervais, of French origin. SI. |
| Jaye | rare: Belfast. English, of nickname type from bird jay. DOS. |
| Jebb | fairly rare: Belfast etc. English, pet form of Geoffrey. |
| Jeffares | Quite numerous Ulster, Dublin, Cork, South East. English, 17 cent. Derived from first name Geoffrey. SI. |
| Jefferson | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. English, see Jeffares. |
| Jenkins | numerous: Ulster, Dublin, Midlands etc. English, 17 cent. A diminutive of John. Ir. Seinicín. See also Shinkwin. SI. |
| Jennett | rare: Armagh-Down. English, dimin. of John and analogous with Jenkins. |
| Jephson | Very rare: Waterford. English, 17 cent when it was located in Cork. SI. |
| Jessop | rare: scattered. English, derived from Joseph. DOS. |
| Job | rare: Ulster etc. English, of nickname type, perhaps from mediaeval play. |
| Johns | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. English, from first name John, the most popular in Western Europe, represented by Seán and Eoin in Irish. |
| Johnson | numerous: all areas: English & Scottish; also anglicisation of Mac Seáin (MacShane) who were a branch of the O'Neills. |
| Jolley | Quite numerous: Dublin and scattered. English, 16 cent. The name also occurred amongst the Huguenots in Dublin (18 cent). MIF. |
| Joseph | rare: Belfast. English, from popular first name. |
| Jowett | Very rare: Belfast. English, diminutive of Julian. DOS. |
| Joyner | Very rare: Galway. English occupational name "joiner". |
| Judd | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, dimin. of Jordan or Jude. DBS. |
| Julian | fairly rare: scattered: English, from popular first name. DBS. |
| Jury | Very rare: Belfast. English, from Jewry or ghetto in mediaeval city. DOS. |
| Just | rare: Down. English, nickname. |
| Justice | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, occupational name. |
| Justin | rare: Belfast area, Dublin etc. English, derived from Latin Justinus or Old Norse Iósteinn. As a first name it is used for Saerbhreathnach amongst the MacCarthys. |
| Keatley | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. Ir. Ó Gatlaoich, (SGA). However, in this case, it is more likely to be English toponymic Keighley of W Yorks. See Gately. MIF. |
| Keel | Very rare: Belfast area. Probably English toponymic. DOS. |
| Keeler | Very rare: Dublin. English occupational to do with boats. |
| Keeling | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. English 17 cent. SI & DOS. |
| Keen | rare: Down. Possibly English, also a variant of Keane, q.v. DOS. |
| Keep | Very rare: Belfast. English. DOS. |
| Keers | fairly rare: Belfast. English, "maker of keys". DBS. |
| Kellett | fairly numerous: Monaghan-Cavan-Meath. This name came in the Williamite settlement, about 1700. An English toponymic "slope with spring" from Lancashire. DBS. |
| Kemp | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin etc. English, in Ireland since 14 cent. It occurs in Scotland also and is said to mean "warrior" or "athlete". SS & DBS. |
| Kemple | rare: Dublin, Mayo etc. Variant of English name Kemble, which may come from the Welsh Cynbel (war-chief). Whence Shakespeare's Cymbeline. DOS. |
| Kempton | fairly rare: Tyrone etc. English toponymic. English "ton" = Irish "baile". |
| Kendal | rare: Belfast, Dublin etc. English place-name. |
| Kennett | rare: Belfast. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Kenny | Very numerous: all areas, especially Galway. Ir. Ó Cionaoith, a number of septs, the chief being of Uí Maine (Galway). There was also an English family Kenny which became established in Galway in 17 cent, so all Galway Kennys are not necessarily of the Uí Maine. Elsewhere the name can stand for Mac Cionnaoith, Ó Coinne, Ó Coinnigh, Mac Giolla Choinnigh. MacLysaght examines this in detail in IF. See also SGG. |
| Kent | numerous: Wexford-Waterford-Cork etc. Ir. Ceannt. English, going back to 13 cent in Meath. Éamonn Ceannt was one of the signatories of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916. IF. |
| Kenyon | rare: Dublin etc. English, from placename in Lancs. Also used for Mac Coinne, Mac Fhinghin, according to MacLysaght. See Kenning and Keenan. SI. |
| Kerridge | Very rare: Down etc. English, "family ruler". DBS. |
| Kerrison | Very rare: Dublin. English, Kerridge + son, but SGA gives Mac Fhiarais. |
| Kershaw | fairly rare: Dublin, Derry. English, placename in Lancashire. DOS. |
| Kerslake | Very rare: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Kestell | rare: Dublin. English, placename in Cornwall. DBS. |
| Kettyle | fairly rare: Fermanagh-Cavan, Belfast. English from Old Norse. See Kettle. DOS. |
| Kickham | rare: Cork, Wexford etc. English, 18 cent, but notable in the person of Charles J. Kickham (1828-82), writer. |
| Kidd | numerous: South East, E Ulster. English, 17 cent. DBS. |
| Kilby | rare: Down, Dublin. An English toponymic. DOS. |
| Kille | Very rare: Fermanagh. Apparently an old and very rare English name. |
| Kimber | Very rare: Belfast area. English toponymic, "warriors grave". DOS. |
| Kimberley | rare: Meath etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Kind | rare: Cork. English. |
| Kinder | rare: Belfast area. English & Scottish. |
| Kindred | Very rare: Lisburn (Antrim). A rare English name. |
| King | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster and Connacht. An English name but more usually anglicisation of various indigenous names: Ó Cionga (L Ree); Mac Conraoi (Galway); Mac Fhearadhaigh (Oriel); Ó Maol Conaire (Roscommon); Ó Conraoi (Uí Maine) etc. An "umbrella" name, but based erroniously on the word rí, a king. IF & SGG. |
| Kingsberry | fairly rare: Antrim etc. An English toponymic, apparently. |
| Kingston | numerous: all areas, especially Cork. English, 17 cent in W Cork. SI &MIF. |
| Kinsley | rare: Dublin, Cork. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Kirkham | rare: Belfast, Dublin etc. N English toponymic. |
| Kirkland | Quite numerous: Down, Armagh etc. Scottish & English. |
| Kirkwood | numerous: E Ulster. N English toponymic. DOS. |
| Kitchen | Quite numerous: Down etc. Ir. Mac Úistín. Of Scottish origin, relating to Hutchin a diminutive of Hugh. Also as MacQuestion, Houston, MacCutcheon. Another possibility is the English name Kitchen, "worker in the kitchen". SI & DOS. |
| Kitson | Quite numerous: Ulster, Clare-Limerick etc. Scottish and English "son of Kitt" (Christopher). In Clare, it is an anglicisation of Ó Ceit, Mac Ceit. From old first name Ceat, "enduring, old". See Kett. SI. |
| Kitt | rare: E Galway, Dublin. An English name, dimin. of Christopher. Also possibly a variant of Kett. |
| Knapper | Very rare: Antrim. English toponymic. |
| Knell | Very rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Knightly | Quite numerous: Kerry-Limerick-Tipperary etc. English, 17 cent in Kerry. SI. |
| Knipe | Quite numerous: Armagh-Down etc. N English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Knocker | fairly rare: Belfast area. S English locative name. SI & DBS. |
| Knott | Quite numerous: Dublin, E Ulster etc. English, 17 cent. MIF. |
| Knowles | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Midlands. Ir. Ó Tnúthghail (longing-valour) A sept of Kildare, usually Newell, q.v. Also as an English name, Knollys. SI & DOS. |
| Kydd | fairly rare: Belfast, Derry. English, variant of Kitt, q.v. DBS. |
| Kyte | Very rare: Ulster. English, possibly from the bird, kite. Also as Kite and Keat(s). Reaney explains that it may just mean a herdsman, not a voracious hawk. DBS & DOS. |
| L'Estrange | mod.nos.: W Meath etc. Ir. Mac Conchoigcríche (hound from abroad). This was an ancient first name associated with the O'Clerys and Mageoghans. It has been anglicised Peregrine meaning foreign, so telling only half the story. Coincidentally, an English family L'Estrange settled in the same area in 16 cent, so only a genealogical investigation could sort them out. The modern French name is Létrange (foreigner). SI. |
| Ladd | rare: Cork etc. English, "servant". DBS. |
| Ladley | Very rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic, apparently. |
| Laide | rare: Kerry etc. English, in Tipperary 17 cent. |
| Lakes | fairly rare: scattered. English toponymic. |
| Lamb | fairly numerous: E Ulster, South East etc. Ir. Ó Luain. A sept of Oriel but some are no doubt of English origin. |
| Lambe | numerous: S Ulster, N Leinster etc. Ir. Ó Luain, luan, warrior. Distribution corresponds with ancient sept territory but the English Lambe is probably also present. The name is somewhat better anglicised Loane, q.v. |
| Lambert | numerous: Leinster generally, especially Wexford. Ir. Laimbeart. English, long settled in Wexford. |
| Lambkin | rare: Dublin. English, diminutive of Lamb. |
| Lancaster | Quite numerous: E Leinster, Antrim etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Lande | Very rare: Dublin etc. English, "dweller by the glade". DBS. |
| Lane | numerous: all areas, especially Cork-W Limerick-Kerry. Ir. Ó Laighin, Ó Liatháin. The former associated with Galway, the latter with Cork. In W Limerick and Kerry there is confusion with Lyne and Lyons, q.v. Woulfe says laighean means "spear", whereas Liathán is a diminutive of liath, grey. The English name is rare in Ireland. SGG & IF. |
| Langford | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Cork-Limerick-Kerry. Ir. Langfort. English toponymic, in Ulster 16 cent, later in Munster. SI. |
| Langham | rare: Down etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Langley | Quite numerous: Belfast, South East etc. English, from a number of place-names. DOS. |
| Langran | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Langridge | rare: Belfast etc. English, "dweller by long ridge". DBS. |
| Langrishe | rare: scattered. English, from Hampshire. DOS. |
| Langton | Quite numerous: Kilkenny etc. English toponymic and one of the "Tribes of Kilkenny". SI. |
| Langtry | rare: E Ulster, Dublin. English, "tall tree". DOS. |
| Larcombe | Very rare: Belfast. English, from place in Devon. DOS. |
| Lardner | Quite numerous: mainly Galway. Ir. Ó Lorgnáin or Ó Lairgneáin. A sept anciently associated with Oriel. The English occupational name hardly applies. See Lernihan. SI & SGG. |
| Larke | rare: scattered. English, nick-name type. DOS. |
| Lascelles | Very rare: Belfast. English, from place in France. DOS. |
| Last | rare: Dublin etc. English, from Suffolk. |
| Latham | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, from N England. DOS. |
| Latimer | numerous: Fermanagh and Ulster generally, scattered elsewhere. English, "interpreter". |
| Lattin | Very rare: scattered. Ir. Laitín. English, in Ireland 14 cent and associated with Kildare. |
| Laughton | rare: Belfast etc. English, from various place-names. DOS. |
| Law | numerous: Antrim-Down etc. English, diminutive of Lawrence. DOS. |
| Lawlee | Very rare: Cork. English, as Lawley. |
| Lawrence | fairly numerous: all areas, mainly Leinster. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Lawrenson | rare: Belfast etc. Scottish & English. DBS. |
| Lawson | numerous: E Ulster and scattered. Ir. Mac Labhráin, from the ancient first name Labhraidh (speaker). Formerly associated with Cavan - see Cloran. The name is usually of English origin - in Ulster in 17 cent and a diminutive of Lawrence. SI. |
| Lawton | Quite numerous: Cork etc. Ir. Ó Lachtnáin, lachtna, grey. It stands for various septs in Mayo, Meath, Oriel, Galway. The common English name does not appear to be involved. See Loughnane & Loftus. SGG. |
| Laycock | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Layton | Very rare: Cork etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Lazenby | rare: Dublin etc. English, from places in N England. |
| Lea | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English toponymic. Also Ir. Ó Laoidhigh which usually appears as Lee, q.v. Mod. Ó Laoi. ASG. |
| Leach | fairly rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English, "physician". See Leech. DOS. |
| Leacock | Quite numerous: Derry-Antrim etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Leader | rare: Cork, E Ulster. English, 17 cent. Occuational name. DBS. |
| Leake | rare: Derry etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Lee | Very numerous: all areas. The name can be indigenous or English settler. Ir.(1) Ó Laidhigh (Laoi) Connacht. (2) Ó Laoidhigh, Munster. (3) Mac Laoidhigh, Laois. (4) Mac an Leagha, son of the physician, in Ulster. Laoidheach, a first name meaning poetic. The Connacht family were physicians to the O'Flahertys. IF & SGG. |
| Leeburn | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Leech | numerous: mainly Leinster with Ulster & Connacht. While this is an old English name meaning physician, it is also an anglicisation of Ó Laoghóg, laogh = calf, in western districts. See also Logue. MIF & SGG. |
| Leeman | Quite numerous: Armagh-Down etc. English, leman, lover. Also, Ir. Mac Laghmainn (ASG) For which see Lamont. DOS. |
| Leeper | rare: Ulster and scattered. English, "courier" or "basket-maker". DBS. |
| Leeson | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Leetch | fairly rare: E Ulster. Scottish version of old English Leech (physician). also Leitch. |
| Legge | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. Ir. Mac Coise, for which see Quish. In this instance, it is probably of English origin and of the nick-name type. SI & DBS. |
| Leggett | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English, said to be a pageantry nick-name, "legate". |
| Leigh | Quite numerous: Wicklow-Carlow etc. English toponymic, sometimes used for Lee, q.v. |
| Leighton | Quite numerous: Belfast, N Ulster etc. English toponymic from many place-names. DBS. |
| Lenfesty | rare: Belfast area. English, nick-name "playful". Synonym of Vesey. DBS. |
| Lennon | Very numerous: Ulster generally, South East, E Galway-Mayo etc. Ir. Ó Lionáin, ó Ó Leannáin. The derivation may be from leann, a cloak, or leannán, a lover, paramour. In any event, there were distinct septs in Fermanagh, Galway and Cork. The name has been changed in some cases to Leonard, an English name, q.v. IF. |
| Leon | rare: Dublin etc. English, "lion". DBS. |
| Leonard | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster and Galway-Mayo. A common English name, it has been used to anglicise a number of indigenous names: Ó Leannáin, Ó Lionáin, Ó Lonáin, Ó Luinín, Mac Giolla Fhinnéin, Mac Conaonaigh. See Lennon. IF. |
| Lester | fairly numerous: Armagh-Down etc in Ulster, Dublin, Cork. A common English toponymic, however MacLysaght considers it to be usually a variant of MacAlister, q.v. See also Lister. |
| Letson | rare: Belfast, Antrim etc. English, son of Lett. DBS. |
| Lett | fairly rare: Wexford etc. English, 17 cent. Pet form of Lettice. Latin: Laetitia (joy). Lettice is v rare in England but Lett(s) is fairly common. |
| Lever | Very rare: Dublin. English, from Lancashire. DOS. |
| Levine | rare: Dublin etc. English, from OE first name Leofwine (beloved friend) but in Dublin it is likely to be Jewish. See Levi. |
| Lew | Very rare: Dublin. English. DBS. |
| Lewis | numerous: all areas but mainly Ulster. Ir. Lobhaois. This name is Welsh, Scottish and English. From Teutonic first name Hlúdwig (loud battle). They first appeared as Anglo-Normans who settled in various places but the name is mainly related to the Plantation of Ulster in 17 cent. SGG & DBS. |
| Leyburn | rare: Down-Armagh. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Liddell | rare: Belfast etc. English toponymic from Cumbria. DOS. |
| Lightbody | Quite numerous: Belfast area. English, "nimble person". DOS. |
| Lightfoot | rare: Dublin. An English name of longstanding in Ireland. |
| Lilburn | Quite numerous: Down etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Lincoln | rare: Dublin etc. English, from city and county there. |
| Linden | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down etc. English, from linden, a lime tree. |
| Lindsay | numerous: Ulster generally, Sligo etc. Scottish. A leading family of Scotland, of Norman and English origin. Sometimes an anglicisation of Ó Loingsigh (Lynch). SS. |
| Lines | Very rare: Belfast etc. English, from Lina, pet-name, e.g. Adelina. DBS. |
| Ling | Very rare: Belfast, Derry. Ir. Ó Fhloinn, modern Ó Loinn. An Ulster version of Flynn. It should be noted that an English name Ling, Lyng, also exists, but hardly applies here. |
| Linton | numerous: Antrim-Derry-Tyrone etc. An English toponymic. Also anglicisation of Mac Giolla Fhiontáin. (MacClinton). SI. |
| Lismore | rare: Belfast-Armagh. Possibly Scottish from the isle of Lismore, otherwise English place-name Loosmoor. DOS. |
| Lister | rare: Belfast etc. Ir. Mac Alastair, Scots Mac an Leastair (Fletcher); English "dyer". |
| Little | numerous: mainly Ulster. Ir. Beag, a cognomen meaning small; Ó Beig (SGA); Ó Beagáin, in Munster. The common English name Little may apply in some cases here. |
| Littlewood | rare: Down-Belfast etc. From many English place-names, also some Scots ones. |
| Litton | rare: Dublin. English, 15 cent. Identified with Dublin. |
| Locke | Quite numerous: scattered. English, 16 cent. Also anglicisation of Ó Lochlainn. SI. |
| Lockwood | Very rare: Dublin etc. English. "enclosed wood". DBS. |
| Lodge | Quite numerous: Waterford etc. English, "hut, cottage" from W Yorkshire. DOS. |
| Loftus | numerous: all areas, especially Connacht. Ir. Ó Lachtnáin. This English name has been in Ireland since 16 cent, but it is mainly an anglicisation, particularly in the west of the country. See also Loughnane. SI. |
| Lomas | Very rare: Belfast. English, from a place in Lancashire. |
| Long | Very numerous: Munster and South East, also widespread in Ulster. Ir.(1) Ó Longaigh (Cork), (2) Ó Longáin, originally of Mayo, then mainly an ecclesastical family of Munster, (3) Ó Lúing,(Kerry), (4) de Long (Anglo-Norman). The Longs of Ulster may well be of English origin. MIF. |
| Longridge | fairly rare: Belfast etc. English toponymic. |
| Longstaffe | Very rare: Belfast etc. English. DBS. |
| Lord | Quite numerous: Dublin, E Ulster, Midlands. English, of nick-name type. This name occasionally stands for Ó Tiarnaigh (Tierney). |
| Lott | rare: Wicklow. English; Reaney thinks it comes from pet form of womens' names, e.g. Emelot, Charlotte. |
| Lotty | rare: Cork. English, see Lott. |
| Louthe | fairly rare: Louth-Dublin-Wicklow. English, 14 cent. Perhaps a toponymic from Louth in Leinster and later from Louth in Lincolnshire. SI. |
| Love | numerous: Ulster generally, Galway, Leitrim, Cork etc. Probably an anglicisation of Mac Craith and perhaps Ó Gadhra. Mac Ionmhain is a recent gaelicisation. However, many of the are no doubt of English descent, having come in 17 cent. SI. |
| Lowe | numerous: all areas: Ir. Mac Lughadha (from old name Lughaidh). Mod. Mac Lú. But generally an English name, of various derivations. DOS. |
| Lowndes | fairly rare: Dublin and scattered. English, "groves, woods". From Cheshire. DOS. |
| Lucas | numerous: Ulster, Dublin & scattered. Ir. Mac Lúcáis. English, from 14 cent onwards. |
| Luce | rare: Down, Dublin. English, from first name Lucia. A noted scholarly family of Dublin. |
| Lucey | numerous: Munster, mainly Cork. Ir. Ó Luasaigh, according to Woulfe, a corruption of Mac Cluasaigh (big ears!). The Lucys of Ulster are of English origin. |
| Ludlow | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Cork etc. English as early as 14 cent but usually 17 cent in Midlands. It derives from Ludlow in Shropshire. SI. |
| Luke | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. Scottish & English. SS & DBS. |
| Lumsden | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. Scottish & English. |
| Lundy | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim, Dublin etc. Probably from Norman "de la Lounde", 13 cent. The name has been in Ireland since then. However, in Ulster it must be of later English origin. MIF. |
| Lupton | fairly rare: Derry etc; Dublin, Cork etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Lutton | fairly numerous: Antrim-Down etc. English, "pool-farm". From any of a number of places. DBS. |
| Lyall | fairly numerous: E Ulster, Derry, Donegal etc. Ir. Ó Laoighill (SGG), however the name is generally of Scottish origin (17 cent) and was spelled de Lisle in 13 cent, so it was clearly Norman then. MacLysaght says that it occurred amongst the Huguenots who settled in Belfast in 18 cent. Lyall is also an English diminutive of Lyon. SI & SS. |
| Lynam | numerous: all areas, mainly Midlands. Ir. Ó Laigheanáin, Laighean, Leinster. An ecclesiastical family of Wexford and Carlow. A case of trying to pass as English Lynham which has also been in Leinster since 14 cent. MIF. |
| Lynd | rare: Ulster. English, "dweller at lime tree". DBS. |
| Lyndon | rare: Dublin and scattered. English, "lime tree hill". DOS. |
| Lyng | Quite numerous: Wexford-Waterford-Kilkenny etc. Ir. Ó Fhloinn. A synonym of Flynn. An English family, of this name, settled in Tipperary in 17 cent, so may have contributed to the present population. See also Lynn. |
| Lynott | Quite numerous: Mayo-Donegal-Derry. Ir. Lionóid. Seemingly English, of nickname type. |
| Lyttleton | Very rare: Tipperary. English toponymic, usually as Littleton there, but standing for the native Ó Beagáin in most cases. SI & DOS. |
| MacAtarsney | fairly rare: Armagh etc. Ir. Mac an tSasanaigh, "son of the Englishman". SI. |
| MacBratney | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. Ir. Mac Breatnaigh (son of Welshman). To be distinguished from Breatnach which is simply Welsh, in English, Walsh. |
| MacCall | numerous: Ulster, especially East; Dublin & S Leinster. Ir. Mac Cathmhaoil (battle-chief). Originally a sept of Cineál Eoghain (Tyrone), there are many synonyms in English: Campbell, Mac Cowhill, Howell etc. |
| MacCatasney | Very rare: Lurgan (Armagh). Ir. Mac an t-Sasanaigh (son of the Englishman). See also Mac Atasney. |
| MacEvaddy | rare: Galway-Mayo etc. Ir. Mac an Mhadaidh, madadh, a dog. Not as uncomplimentary as appears in English. |
| Macey | Very rare: Waterford. English, dimin. of Matthew. See also Massey. |
| Machin | Very rare: Belfast area. English, from Norman-French "mason". |
| MacShortall | Very rare: Dublin. Ir. Mac Seartail: a gaelicisation of the English name, which appeared in Ireland 13 cent and was prominent in Kilkenny. Now, it is usually without the "Mac" prefix. |
| MacTasney | Very rare: Belfast area. Ir. Mac an t-Sasanaigh (son of the Englishman). See also Mac Atarsney. |
| Maddens | Very numerous: all areas, especially Connacht & Munster. Ir. Ó Madáin, Ó Maidín, perhaps from madadh, a dog. They were an important sept of Uí Maine (Galway). A similar English name exists and may account for some in Ulster and Leinster. See also Madigan. IF. |
| Maddison | Very rare: Belfast. English : "son of Matthew". |
| Madeley | rare: Down etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Madill | Quite numerous: Antrim-Down etc. English : from O.F. madle, male. DBS. |
| Mahood | fairly numerous: Antrim-Down-Derry etc. Ir. Mac Uid, originally Ó h-Uid, bards to the O'Neills. See also Hood. A similar English name exists. MIF. |
| Maiden | Very rare: Dublin. English, nick-name, perhaps for an effeminate man. |
| Maitland | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. Scottish & English, from mautalent, ill-mannered. |
| Major | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Tyrone etc. English, 17 cent in Ulster. Derived from Norman- French mauger, from Teutonic "council-spear". DOS. |
| Malins | rare: Dublin etc. English, dimin. of Mary. See also Mallen. |
| Mallory | Very rare: Belfast. English, derived from French malheuré, unlucky. DBS. |
| Malpas | Very rare: Down. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Malt | Very rare: Down. English, woman's name, Maud (Matilda). DBS. |
| Maltby | Very rare: Tyrone etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Maltman | rare: Belfast area etc. English, a maltster. DBS. |
| Manders | rare: Dublin etc. English, "huts, stables". DOS. |
| Manley | numerous: Dublin, Cork, Belfast etc. English generally but in Cork, Ir. Ó Máinle (SI). An Sloinnteoir Gaeilge gives Ó Maonaile. See also Munnelly. |
| Mann | fairly numerous: mainly in Ulster, with some in Limerick and Midlands. Woulfe gives Ir. Ó Macháin, but it seems that the Ulster people came from Scotland, deriving from first name Magnus, so they may properly be Mac Mánuis. See also Main. Further this name may be English and was so recorded in mediaeval times. SI. |
| Manners | rare: Dublin. English. |
| Manning | numerous: all areas, especially Cork. Ir. Ó Mainnín. A sept of Galway, but more usual as Mannion, q.v. Some Mannings are of English origin. SGG & IF. |
| Mansell | fairly rare: Ulster etc. Ir. Móinséil. Scottish, perhaps from Norman-French le Manceau, but also English, settled in Kilkenny in mediaeval times and later connected with Limerick. SGG & SS. |
| Mansergh | Very rare: Tipperary etc. English toponymic from Cumbria, in Tipperary 17 cent. See also as Manzor. |
| Mansfield | fairly numerous: Cork & South East. Ir. de Móinbhíol, usually a corruption of Anglo-Norman de Mandeville, known in Ireland since 13 cent. However, the English Mansfield would apply in some cases. SGG. |
| Mantle | rare: Dublin etc. English, nick-name type. |
| Manton | Quite numerous: Kilkenny-Tipperary, Galway-Roscommon. Ir. Ó Mantáin, a first name from mantach, gap-toothed, inarticulate. The English toponymic, Manton, may also figure. |
| Marchant | fairly are: Dublin, Kerry, Belfast etc. English, "a trader". DBS. |
| Margarton | rare: Dublin. English, perhaps "Margery's village". |
| Margey | rare: Derry etc. ? English, abbreviation of Margery. |
| Mark | fairly rare: Belfast-Antrim etc. Ir. Mac Marcuis, and English from first name Mark. Also an abbreviation of Markey, q.v. |
| Markham | Quite numerous: Clare-Limerick etc. Ir. Ó Marcacháin, dimin. of marcach, rider. A sept of Thomond (Clare), disguised as an English toponymic. SI & SGG. |
| Marks | numerous: E Ulster etc. Ir. Mac Marcaigh. But usually of English origin; it may occasionally be an abbreviation of Markey. SI. |
| Markwell | rare: Down etc. English, "boundary well". |
| Marlborough | fairly rare: Galway-Clare etc. Ir. Ó Maoilbhearaigh (devotee of St Barry). Apparently another remarkable use of an English toponymic. See Mulberry. SI. |
| Marley | fairly numerous: Down-Armagh-Louth. Ir. Ó Mearthaile (SGA) This name is on its original territory. The English name Marlay was important in Longford 18 cent. SI. |
| Marlowe | Quite numerous: Tyrone etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Marnell | Quite numerous: Kilkenny etc. An English name associated with Kilkenny City since 16 cent. MacLysaght derives it from Warner. SI. |
| Marner | rare: Down etc. English, "mariner". |
| Marr | rare: Down-Antrim, Dublin. This name may be of English or Scottish origin. SS & DOS. |
| Marrion | rare: Antrim etc. English, diminutive of Mary. |
| Marriott | rare: Down-Antrim. English, diminutive of Mary. |
| Marrs | Quite numerous: Antrim etc. Probably an English toponymic. |
| Marsden | Quite numerous: Antrim-Down, Limerick etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Marsh | fairly numerous: Dublin, Clare-Limerick, Down etc. Ir. de Moiréis. English 17 cent. A noted ecclesiastical family of the Church of Ireland. SI. |
| Marson | Very rare: Belfast. English, "place by the marsh". DOS. |
| Martin | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. Ir. Mac Máirtín, Ó Máirtín, Mac Giolla Máirtín. The first name Martan was popular in early times due to devotion to St Martin of Tours, so it is partly indigenous. It also derived from English and Scottish settlers. IF. |
| Mason | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. Ir. Másún. English occupational name usually of recent introduction in Ireland. SI. |
| Massey | numerous: Ulster, Dublin etc. English, long associated with Limerick. |
| Masters | fairly rare: Ulster etc. An English name but may stand for Mac Master, q.v. |
| Masterson | numerous: Ulster, Connacht, N Midlands, South East. Ir. Mac an Mháighistir (son of the master). This name represents (1) a sept of Breifne, related to the Maguires. (2) Scottish immigrants in N E Ulster. (3) 16 cent English immigrants in Wexford. See also Mac Master. MIF. |
| Matchett | fairly numerous: Armagh-Down etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Mathers | numerous: E Ulster, N Midlands. English, 17 cent. Means "reaper". SI & DBS. |
| Mathewson | rare: Antrim etc. English or Scottish. See Matthewson. |
| Matthews | numerous: E Ulster, Louth etc. Generally of English origin but it has been used for Mac Mahon in Oriel. |
| Matthewson | rare: Down etc. English. The biblical name Matthew (gift of God) was popularised by the Normans in England and has produced many synonymous surnames. DBS. |
| Maude | rare: scattered. English, from dimin. of first name Matilda. In Kilkenny 17 cent. |
| Maule | rare: Belfast area. (1) Scottish, Normans who arrived there 12 cent. (2) English, from diminutive of first name Mary. SS & DBS. |
| Maybury | Quite numerous:Dublin, Cork etc. English, 18 cent. SI. |
| Maycock | rare: Dublin. English : dim. of Matthew. DOS.: |
| Maye | numerous: in three northern provinces, especially Connacht, S Midlands & South East. While the name May is both English and Scottish, a substantial proportion of the present population must be indigenous: Ir. Ó Miadhaigh, miadhach, honourable. Originally a sept of W Meath, which appears also as Mee. This name extended into Scotland, where they were associated with the Mac Donalds in Kintyre. MIF & SS. |
| Mayers | fairly rare: Fermanagh etc. A name of Scottish or English origin; it may mean: an official (Scots) or, a physician (English). |
| Mayhew | Very rare: Down etc. English version of Matthew. |
| Mayland | Very rare: Dublin etc. English, "at the island". DOS. |
| Maynard | rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English. DOS. |
| Maynes | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim etc. English, Cottle gives a number of derivations for this name. MacLysaght says it stands for Mac Mánuis in Fermanagh, however, it is rare there, being more numerous in Tyrone. SI & DOS. |
| Maze | fairly rare: Antrim etc. English: Reaney attributes to "May" a young girl or a form of Matthew. |
| Meadows | rare: Belfast: Derry. English, locative. |
| Meares | Quite numerous: Mayo, Athlone, Down etc. Ir. Ó Midhir (Mír). Perhaps from meidhir meaning mirth. An English name also exists and is probably represented here. See also Meers & Myers. |
| Medcalf | rare: Dublin etc. English, "meat-calf" - a fat man. See Metcalf. |
| Medlicott | Very rare: Belfast. English, "middle cottage". A name from Shropshire. DOS. |
| Meeke | fairly numerous: English, 17 cent in Ireland. A name dating from 12 cent and meaning "humble". DBS. |
| Mees | rare: Belfast area etc. ? English toponymic. |
| Mellors | Rare: Ulster. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Mellotte | Rare: Belfast, Dublin. Probably English but see also Millet & Mylotte. |
| Mellows | rare: N Co.Dublin etc. Ir. Mac Maol Íosa (SGA). "servant of Jesus". MacLysaght is disposed to regard it as an English toponymic. MIF. |
| Mells | Very rare: Belfast. Ir. Mac Maol Íosa. There is a Scottish name Mellis of this derivation. there is also the possiblity of the English Mells (Mills). SS & DOS. |
| Menzies | rare: Dublin, Down. Scottish, equivalent to English Manners. Pronounced "Mingis". |
| Mercer | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin. English, from French, mercier, merchant. In Ireland since mediaeval times. SI. |
| Merrall | Very rare: Belfast. English, allegedly from feminine first name Muirgheal, which means "sea-bright", - Celtic via Brittany. DBS. |
| Merrett | rare: Belfast, Cork etc. English. DBS. |
| Merrick | Quite numerous: Mayo-Galway, Kildare, Down etc. The Connacht Merricks are of Welsh origin, A(p) Meuric (Maurice) and gaelicised Mac Mibhric 13 cent. Others are English but ultimately of the same derivation, and one of whom, according to Cottle, gave his name to America! MIF & DOS. |
| Merriman | fairly numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Waterford etc. Generally of English origin - Brian Merriman's use of Mac Giolla Meidhre was in jest. Marmion has been a synonym in Leinster. See also Merry.MIF. |
| Merry | Quite numerous: scattered. Ir. Ó Mearadhaigh, mear, lively. A sept of Waterford and S Tipperary. The name has been used, inexplicably, for Houlihan. It is, of course, also a fairly common English name of straightforward meaning. MIF & DBS. |
| Merton | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. |
| Mervyn | fairly rare: Belfast. English, from first name "famous friend". DOS. |
| Metcalfe | fairly numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster. English, 17 cent. Originating in Yorks and meaning, possibly, "meat-calf" or fat man. DOS. |
| Mewha | rare: Antrim. English. Reaney refers to it briefly as from Meavy, Devon. DBS. |
| Meyers | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast, Kerry-Clare etc. Various origins: English, French and German, but in the west it is native Ó Meidhir. See Meers & Myers. |
| Middleton | fairly numerous: Ulster, Sligo, Midlands. A common English toponymic, present in Ireland since mediaeval times. SI. |
| Midgley | Very rare: Down etc. English, from a place in Yorkshire. |
| Milburne | Very rare: Down, Fermanagh. English toponymic. |
| Milby | Very rare: Down. Probably English toponymic. |
| Mildenhall | Very rare: Belfast. English, from place in Suffolk. |
| Miles | Quite numerous: Down etc. Scattered in south. English, derived from first name Milo or Miles, meaning "soldier". See also Myles and Moyles. |
| Milford | fairly rare: Down-Antrim. English toponymic. |
| Millar | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English occupational name. SI. |
| Millard | fairly rare: Cork, Wexford. English, "keeper of mill". DBS. |
| Milletts | rare: Wexford-Kilkenny etc. English, from miles, a soldier. Present in Kilkenny 14 cent. See also Mellott and Mylotte. |
| Millington | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English toponymic, long associated with Dublin. |
| Mills | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster & Midlands. Ir. an Mhuilinn, (of the mill). the name is generally of English origin. SI. |
| Milton | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork etc. English, from various place-names: "middle farm". |
| Minchin | fairly rare: Laois-Carlow etc. English, from Middle English, "a nun". 17 cent in Ireland. SI. |
| Minford | Quite numerous: Belfast-Antrim. Apparently an English place-name. |
| Minshall | rare: Belfast etc. English place-name in Cheshire. |
| Mintern | rare: Cork etc. English place-name in Dorset. |
| Mitchell | Very numerous: all areas, most in Ulster, least in Munster. Ir. Mistéil. An English name from first name Michael. Also current in Scotland. 17 cent in Ireland. IF. |
| Mitton | Quite numerous: Fermanagh, Wexford, Dublin. English toponymic. |
| Moates | rare: Belfast area. English, "dweller at the castle". DBS. |
| Mogerley | rare: Dublin. Presumably an English toponymic. The temptation to gaelicise it Magairle must be resisted! |
| Moneypenny | rare: Down etc. English, nick-name "many a penny", a rich man. DOS. |
| Monks | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. Generally English but standing for Ó Manacháin and Mac an Mhanaigh in some cases. SI. |
| Moody | numerous: Ulster generally, Midlands. English, meaning "bold, proud" and recorded in Ireland 13 cent. Prominent in Ulster 17 cent. Gaelicised Ó Muadaigh which is purely phonetic. SI. |
| Moorcraft | fairly rare: Armagh etc. English toponymic "croft in a moor or fen". |
| Moore | Very numerous: all areas. Ir. Ó Mordha (stately). THe leading sept of Laois, usually referred to as O'More. The name is also English and this is the origin of some at least of present-day Moores. IF. |
| Moorhead | numerous: E Ulster, Longford-W Meath etc. English, from place in N England. In Ulster, a variant of Scottish Muirhead. |
| Moorhouse | fairly rare: Wexford etc. English name from Yorkshire. DOS. |
| Moreland | numerous: Belfast area, Dublin. English toponymic but see also Murland. |
| Moreton | rare: Midlands etc. English, see Morton. |
| Morley | fairly numerous: Mayo, Cork, Midlands etc. Ir. (1) Ó Murthaile (Cork); (2) Ó Murghaile (Mayo), "sea-valour". This name is also English, of course. SI. |
| Morphew | Very rare: Belfast. English nick-name, "ill-omened". |
| Morris | Very numerous: all areas, especially South East, Midlands, Connacht. Ir. Ó Muiris (ASC), Ó Muirghis (SGG). The name is English and Scottish from first name Maurice "like a Moor". Normans, first appearing as de Marisco, they became one of the "Tribes of Galway". The name may also stand for Ó Muirgheasa, usually Morrissy. It is quite common in Ulster with a strong Scottish element. IF. |
| Morrison | Very numerous: all areas,but mainly E Ulster. Ir. Mac Muiris. Scottish and English generally. Muiris is the usual gaelicisation of first name Maurice, and was adopted by as a patronymic by the Prendergasts of Mayo. IF. |
| Morrow | Very numerous: mainly Ulster. English toponymic generally; it may stand for Mac Morrow in W Ulster & Connacht. |
| Mort | Very rare: Antrim. English, nick-name "stumpy". DOS. |
| Mortimer | Quite numerous: widespread, especially Mayo-Galway, Waterford, Laois. The English name appeared here in 14 cent but most Mortimers are Mac/Ó Muircheartaigh, see Murtagh. Men with first name Murt, often write it Mortimer. See Moriarty. |
| Morton | numerous: Generally Ulster and Dublin. English, 13 cent. "moor farm". Evidently17 cent in Ulster. |
| Moseley | rare: Cork, Dublin etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Moses | rare: Tyrone etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Mosse | fairly numerous: Tyrone-Donegal etc. Ir. Ó Maolmóna, "bog lord". Moss is N English for bog and itself a toponymic, no doubt represented in Ireland. SI. |
| Mothersill | Very rare: Dublin. English, possibly a toponymic. DBS. |
| Motherway | Quite numerous: Cork etc. English, gaelicised Modartha. Associated with E Cork. SI. |
| Mottram | rare: Antrim-Down. English, from place in Cheshire. |
| Moulds | rare: Belfast area, Wexford. English, from first name Maud. DBS. |
| Moules | rare: Dublin etc. English, "mule". An obstinate character? DBS. |
| Moulton | fairly rare: South East etc. English, from various place-names. DOS. |
| Mouncey | rare: Belfast area. Scottish & English, from a French place-name, Monceaux. |
| Mount | Quite numerous: Down etc. English, "dweller by the hill". DBS. |
| Mountaine | fairly rare: Dublin, Waterford. Ir. Ó Mantáin, mantach, gap-toothed. See Manton. The corresponding English name is probably Mounton, a place-name. DOS. |
| Mountford | rare: Belfast area. English, variant of Montfort, a French place-name. |
| Mowbray | fairly rare: Belfast, Derry etc. English, associated with Lincolnshire. |
| Moxen | Very rare: Antrim etc. English, from Mogg (Margaret). |
| Moy | fairly rare: Donegal, Dublin. Ir. Ó Muighe. MacLysaght remarks that there was also an English name, Moy, in Ulster 17 cent. SI. |
| Moynes | rare: Donegal-Derry, Down etc. Ir. Ó Muín (SGA). Also as Mines. A similar English name exists, derived from French moine, a monk. May be represented here. |
| Mudd | rare: Belfast area. English, derivation not clear. Current in England. |
| Muddiman | rare: Dublin. English, epithet name meaning "brave man". DBS. |
| Mullen | Very numerous: all areas, remarkably even distribution. Mullen is predominent in the North, Mullins in the South. Ir. Ó Maoláin. Septs existed in Galway and Derry. It must be noted that an English name Mullins also exists and is surely present. |
| Murland | rare: Down etc. Ir. Ó/Mac Murghaláin (sea-valour). Woulfe thinks it may be Scottish; there is also the English name Moreland, q.v.,in the same area. |
| Musgrave | Quite numerous:Belfast-Antrim, Dublin etc. English from Cumbria, 17 cent in Ulster. SI. |
| Muskett | Very rare: Belfast area. English: Cottle gives "male sparrow-hawk" - perhaps a hawking enthusiast. The connection with fire-arms also suggests itself. |
| Mussen | fairly rare: English. DOS. |
| Mutch | rare: Belfast area. English, variant of Much, "big". |
| Myers | numerous: Cork-Kerry, Monaghan-Louth, Belfast area. Ir. Ó Meidhir, meidhir, mirth. Now written Ó Mír. Originally of Clare but cognate with O'Meara, q.v. The English name Myers may be involved in the case of those in Ulster and eastern areas. SI & SGG. |
| Myerscough | rare: Tipperary etc. English toponymic from Lancashire. DOS. |
| Mythen | Quite numerous: Wexford, Cork etc. English, 17 cent. From place-name in English Midlands. See also Mitton. DBS. |
| Naismith | rare: Dublin. English, "knife-smith". DOS. |
| Napier | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim, Meath etc. English, 17 cent. From French napier, keeper of table linen |
| Narroway | Very rare: Belfast. English, from place in Devon. |
| Nash | numerous: all areas, especially Munster. Ir. de Nais, Ághas (Kerry). A common English name "atten ash", long gaelicised in Munster. See Ashe. |
| Nason | fairly rare: Cork etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Naylor | Quite numerous: Dublin, Down etc. English, 17 cent. "nail-maker". SI. |
| Neale | fairly rare: Belfast area, Midlands etc. Ir. Mac Néill. According to Reaney, this name Niall, started in Ireland and did a tour of Europe before becoming a regular English name. It is also Scottish in the form Mac Neill. |
| Needham | Quite numerous: Mayo-Galway etc. Ir. Ó Niadh. See Nee. The English name has no connection with these. MIF. |
| Neilson | Quite numerous: Meath-Cavan-Louth etc. Ir. Mac Neighill. Derived from Norse first name Njall which is from Irish Niall. Popular English first name Nigel is cognate. So this name is basically the same as Neill & Mac Neill, q.v. |
| Nelson | Very numerous: Ulster, especially N Down. Ir. Mac Neighill. The well-known English name is present here; ironically, it derives ultimately from Irish Niall which is discussed under Neal and Neilson. DBS & DOS. |
| Nesbitt | numerous: E Ulster etc. English toponymic. |
| Nethercott | fairly rare: Fermanagh-Tyrone etc. English, a West-country toponymic. DOS. |
| Nethery | rare: Tyrone. Evidently an English toponymic. |
| Nettleship | Very rare: Lisburn (Antrim). English, from Yorkshire. |
| Neville | numerous: Limerick-Cork, Clare-Kerry, South East, Armagh etc. Ir. Ó Niadh (champion), in Munster. Those of east and north are probably of English origin, deriving from French place-name Neuville. |
| Newberry | Quite numerous: Belfast-Down-Antrim. A toponymic from the English Midlands. |
| Newbold | Very rare: Antrim. English toponymic "new building". DOS. |
| Newcomben | rare: Dublin, Mayo, N Antrim. English nick-name "new arrival". In Mayo, it is said to be an anglicisation of Ó Niadh - see Needham. |
| Newe | rare: Tipperary-Wexford. English, from Gloucester. DOS. |
| Newell | numerous: Belfast-Down-Antrim, Galway etc. Ir. Ó Tnúthghail (longing-valour). Formerly a sept of Kildare, now usually as Knowles. In Ulster, where they are most numerous, it is likely to be of English origin. |
| Newenham | rare: Cork etc. English, 17 cent. Always associated with Cork. |
| Newitt | rare: Belfast area. An English name. |
| Newland | Very rare: Antrim. English topomymic. DOS. |
| Newman | numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Cork, Ulster etc. Ir. Nuaman. English, 13 cent. SI. |
| Newport | rare: Armagh. English, from many place-names. |
| Newsome | fairly rare: Wicklow etc. English toponymic. A Quaker family of note was associated with Cork. SI. |
| Newton | Quite numerous: Derry, Belfast, Galway etc. Ir. Ó Nútáin (SGA). Gaelicisation of English toponymic, from many places in that country. |
| Niall | rare: Dublin. First name Niall when used as a surname would become Néill in Irish, usually prefixed by Mac or Ó. In English, the nominative form would be Neal. |
| Niblock | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim-Derry. Probably English nick-name. In Antrim 17 cent. |
| Nicholas | fairly rare: Derry-Tyrone etc. English, from popular first name of Greek origin, spelled Nikolaos and meaning "victory people". DBS. |
| Nicholson | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster, South East, Galway-Roscommon etc. Ir. Mac Niocaill. This name may be Scottish or English. DOS. |
| Nightingale | rare: Belfast area etc. English nick-name, "sweet singer". DOS. |
| Nix | fairly rare: Limerick-Clare. Ir. Mac Niocais, from Nicholas. A patronymic adopted by the Woulfes in Limerick and formerly used as a synonym for Woulfe. It is also an English name but hardly applicable in this case. SI. |
| Nixon | numerous: Ulster generally, especially Fermanagh, Tyrone. English, in Fermanagh 17 cent. The name is present in all areas - U.S. President Nixon's ancestors came from Laois. |
| Noade | rare: Down etc. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Noel | rare: Belfast, Dublin, Cork. English and French from French first name Noël (Christmas) |
| Norberg | rare: Cork. A rare English name. |
| Nordell | rare: Dublin. Rare English name. |
| Norman | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Cork etc. English, "Northman, Viking". In Ulster 17 cent. |
| Northe | Quite numerous: Ulster, Midlands, Galway. Ir. Ultach (Ulsterman), an agnomen used by the Donlevys who moved south and later changed to North. However, the name may also be of English origin. SGG. |
| Northridge | rare: Cork, Fermanagh etc. English, 18 cent. SI. |
| Norton | numerous: Dublin, Ulster, Louth, Kildare. Ir. Ó Neachtain (see Naughton). It is also an English name, which may account for many of the. |
| Norwell | Very rare: Derry. English, from place in Nottinghamshire. DOS. |
| Norwood | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Notley | rare: Leitrim etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Nott | rare: Cork. English, "bald, cropped". DOS. |
| Nuttall | Very rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Nutter | Very rare: Derry. English, occupational, "writer, secretary". DBS. |
| O'Clery | Very rare: Belfast area. Curious as English translation added to Irish surname. |
| O'Dell | rare: Clare-Limerick etc. English, originally Odell, a topomynic. Connected with Limerick since 17 cent. Remarkable reversal of usual trend. DOS. |
| Oakes | Quite numerous: Down-Antrim, Tyrone-Derry, Louth-Meath etc. Ir. Mac Darach, an abbreviation of Mac Dubhdarach (dark man of the oak). See also Darragh. It must be noted that an English name also exists and may well be present in some areas. SI. |
| Odgers | rare: Armagh. English, from Teutonic first name "wealth-spear". DOS. |
| Odlum | Quite numerous: Laois-Offaly etc. English, 17 cent. Apparently a variant of Adlam, Teutonic first name "noble protector". DBS. |
| Ogden | rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic from oak dene (valley). |
| Ogle | fairly numerous: Down etc. English, 17 cent, from place in Northumbria. |
| Oldcroft | rare: Fermanagh. Apparently an English toponymic. |
| Olden | fairly rare: Cork etc. English, see Haldane. |
| Oldham | rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Olliffe | rare: Dublin. English, from Norse Olaf. |
| Onions | Very rare: Meath etc. Ir. Ó h-Uamhnacháin, see Honohan. Also an English name in Shropshire. DOS. |
| Orchard | rare: Belfast, Down. English, from place-name; also a Scottish synonym for Urquhart. |
| Orme | rare: Dublin etc. English, from Norse first name Ormr, serpent. DOS & DBS. |
| Ormsby | Quite numerous: Mayo etc. English, 16 cent in Mayo. Ir. Armas. SI & SGG. |
| Orpen | rare: scattered. English, 17 cent in Kerry. A noted artistic family. |
| Orwin | Very rare: Belfast area. English, from Anglo-Saxon first name "boar-friend". See Erwin. |
| Osborne | numerous: scattered but mainly S Leinster. English, 16 cent. A first name meaning "god-bear" or "warrior". DBS. |
| Osmond | Very rare: Belfast. English, "god-protector". DOS. |
| Oswald | rare: Belfast area, Down. Ir. Ó h-Eodhasa. A bardic family attached to the Maguires of Fermanagh. They adopted the names Oswell & Oswald, as well as the more usual Hussey and Hosey. This name is also English and may apply in some cases. SGG. |
| Otridge | Very rare: Cork. English, "dawn-powerful". DOS. |
| Ott | rare: scattered. English, from first name Otto. |
| Otterson | rare: Tyrone etc. English ? |
| Ougton | Very rare: Meath etc. English, usually Oughton. |
| Ould | Very rare: Midlands. English, "old". |
| Oulton | Very rare: Dublin etc. English. |
| Ovens | rare: Derry-Fermanagh etc. English, "at the furnace". DOS. |
| Overend | Quite numerous: Derry, Armagh etc. English, "upper end" (of village). DBS. |
| Overton | rare: E Ulster. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Owers | Very rare: Cork. English, from a place-name. DBS. |
| Oxley | rare: W Meath etc. English toponymic. "field for oxen". DOS. |
| Oxtoby | Very rare: Cookstown (Tyrone). A rare English name, evidently toponymic. |
| Oxx | Very rare: Kildare. English, perhaps "oaks". |
| Packer | Very rare: Dublin etc. English, "wool-packer". |
| Packham | rare: Dublin, Cork, Fermanagh etc. English toponymic. |
| Pagan | rare: Down etc. Scottish & English, a name brought by the Normans, meaning "rustic". It occurs more commonly as Payne, q.v. |
| Page | fairly numerous: mainly Dublin; Belfast etc. English, from French: boy, attendant. |
| Pagett | rare: Fermanagh, South East etc. English, diminutive of Page. |
| Paine | rare: Dublin, Ulster. English or Scottish. A name derived from Latin paganus (rustic) via French. See Payne. |
| Pakenham | rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. An English family who became established in W Meath in 16 cent. They have been distinguished during 19 and 20 cents. IF. |
| Pallin | rare: Belfast. English, 17 cent. |
| Pankhurst | Very rare: Belfast etc. English, variant of Pentecost. DBS. |
| Pannell | Very rare: Belfast area. English, dimin. of Payne, q.v. |
| Pantridge | rare: Belfast area. English. |
| Pardy | fairly rare: scattered. English, from Old French Par Dieu, by God. |
| Parfrey | rare: Cork City. English, variant of Palfrey, "saddle-horse". DBS. |
| Parker | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English & Scottish, "park-keeper". Known in Ireland since the Norman Invasion. Ir. Páircéir. SI. |
| Parkes | numerous: N Down-N Armagh, N Munster. English, 17 cent in Ulster. Resident or working in a park - an enclosure for pleasure purposes. DOS. |
| Parkin | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English. See Parkinson. |
| Parnell | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. A distinguished family, made famous by Charles Stewart Parnell. IF. |
| Parr | Quite numerous: Armagh-N Down, Cavan etc. English, dimin. of Peter. |
| Parslow | rare: Galway. English, from Gloucestershire. DOS. |
| Parsons | numerous: all areas, especially N Down, Galway-Mayo. Ir. Mac an Phearsúin (son of the parson). The distinguished family of Birr (Offaly) and, doubtless many others, were of English origin. IF. |
| Partridge | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English, from the bird. In Ireland, 17 cent. SI. |
| Pasley | rare: Dublin etc. English, probably toponymic. |
| Passmore | rare: Belfast area, Dublin. English from French passe mer, cross the sea. |
| Patchell | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, perhaps dimin. of Patch (Easter). DBS. |
| Patton | Very numerous: Ulster, Connacht. Ir. Ó Peatáin (Connacht). They were a branch of Cinéal Eoghain in Donegal but many Pattons in Ulster are of Scottish or English origin. MIF. |
| Paul | numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster, Dublin. The name is both English and Scottish as well as a synonym of Mac Fall: Ir. Mac Phóil. SI. |
| Pauley | fairly rare: Befast area etc. English, dimin. of Paul. |
| Pavis | rare: Belfast. English. |
| Paye | Very rare: Cork-Kerry. English. A name associated with Kilkenny from early times. SI. |
| Payne | numerous: all areas, especially Dublin, N Down, Derry. Ir. Paghan. English, 14 cent onwards. From Latin paganus, countryman, rustic; the French is Payen. DOS. |
| Paynter | rare: Armagh etc. English occupational, "painter". |
| Peake | Quite numerous: Down etc. Ir. Mac Péice. The name is generally English, "hill". See also Mac Peake. |
| Pearce | fairly numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. Ir. Mac Piarais. English, 13 cent onwards. The name is more usual as Pierce, q.v. |
| Peard | rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English, 17 cent in Cork. SI. |
| Peare | fairly rare: Wexford etc. English, an equal, companion. DBS. |
| Pearle | rare: E Clare, Belfast etc. English, "relating to pearls". |
| Pearson | numerous: Ulster, Midlands etc. Ir. Mac Piarais. English, 17 cent. Son of Piers, (Peter). DBS. |
| Pearts | rare: Dublin etc. English, 18 cent. Possibly variant of Perrott, q.v. |
| Peate | rare: Dublin etc. English & Scottish, dimin. of Peter; perhaps "pet" in some cases. |
| Pedlow | Quite numerous: N Armagh etc. An English name of French origin, pied de loup, wolf's foot. SI. |
| Peel | Quite numerous: Belfast-Down-Antrim etc. English, from peel, a fortified house in N England. |
| Peers | rare: Dublin. English, from Piers (Peter). |
| Peggs | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, dimin. of Margaret. |
| Pelly | rare: Dublin. English, from French, "bald". |
| Pemberton | rare: Dublin. English toponymic (Lancs). |
| Penney | fairly numerous: Ulster, Dublin, Cork, Limerick. English & Scottish nick-name. Known in Ireland 13 cent; later widespread. SI. |
| Penrose | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, 17 cent, from place in Cornwall. There was a prominent Quaker family in Wicklow. |
| Pepper | fairly numerous: Down-Louth, Wexford etc. Usually a synonym of Peppard, but the English name Pepper also exists. MIF. |
| Percival | Quite numerous: Ulster, Leinster, Mayo. English of French origin; more recently in Ireland. DBS. |
| Percy | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Antrim, S Midlands. English name of Norman origin. |
| Perkes | Down etc. English, dimin. of Piers (Peter). |
| Perkins | Quite numerous: Dublin, Leinster etc. English, a double diminutive of Piers or Peter. |
| Perrott | Quite numerous: W Cork, Belfast etc. Ir. Pearóid. English, 16 cent. Yet another diminutive of Piers, the mediaeval form of Peter. |
| Perry | numerous: all areas, mainly Dublin, Belfast, Down-Antrim. Ir. de Poire (SGA). English, 17 cent. Probably related to "pear-tree". DBS. |
| Persse | rare: Midlands etc. English, 17 cent. A form of Pearse, q.v. |
| Peters | fairly numerous: Kilkenny-Tipperary-Cork, Down etc. Ir. Mac Pheadair. English or Welsh, and associated with Cornwall. |
| Pettit | Quite numerous: English, from French petit, little. In Ireland since Middle Ages. |
| Peyton | Quite numerous: Galway-Mayo-Sligo etc. Ir. Ó Peatáin (dimin. of Patrick). A Donegal sept who were moved to Mayo in 17 cent. Elsewhere, the name may be English. MIF. |
| Phair | mod.nos: scattered. Ir. Mac Fhinn, finn, fair. This name may also be English, "fair, handsome". SGA, DBS. |
| Pheasey | rare: Waterford. English from Fr. envoisié, playful. See also Vesey. DBS. |
| Phibbs | fairly rare: Wicklow-Kildare etc. Ir. Mac Phib. English, dimin. of Phillip. |
| Philpott | fairly numerous: Down-Antrim etc. English, dimin. of Phillip. |
| Picard | rare: Dublin and Ulster. French and English, native of Picardy. |
| Pickens | Quite numerous: Belfast, Antrim etc. Scottish and English. |
| Pickerill | rare: Wicklow etc. English. DBS. |
| Pickering | Quite numerous: Derry-Antrim, Dublin etc. English, "people of the hill-edge". |
| Pickett | fairly rare: Dublin, Derry etc. English. |
| Picton | rare: Belfast etc. English place-name. |
| Pidgeon | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Galway. Ir. Mac Uiginn. Described by MacLysaght as a corruption of Mac Guigan; however, the English nick-name probably applies in most cases. SI & ASG. |
| Pierpoint | rare: Belfast area etc. English, from French pierre-pont, stone bridge. |
| Pierson | rare: Belfast area etc. English, son of Piers (Peter). See Pearson. |
| Piggott | numerous: all areas, especially Munster. Ir. Piogóid. English derived from French pic (woodpecker) plus diminutive ot. Picot is extant in France. Dauzat. |
| Pike | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast area. English, 14 cent. Nick-name derived from the weapon or the fish. The Scandinavian Pik refers to a tall thin man. |
| Pilkington | Quite numerous:Dublin, Midlands, Limerick-Clare, Sligo. A 15 cent English toponymic from Lancashire. |
| Pillion | rare: Athkone area. 18 cent. Probably English occupational. |
| Pim | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, 17 cent. A noted Quaker family. DBS. |
| Pink | rare: Belfast area. English, "a chaffinch". |
| Piper | fairly rare: Tramore (Waterford), Down etc. English occupational name. Also Pepper. |
| Pitcher | rare: Dublin etc. English, user of pitch or variant of Pickard. |
| Pitman | rare: Down. English, "living in hollow" or a miner. |
| Pitts | Quite numerous: scattered. English, "dweller by the hollow". A W England name. |
| Place | rare: Dublin etc. English, "market place". |
| Plante | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, South East. English "gardener". In Ireland 17 cent. |
| Platt | Quite numerous; Derry etc. English, plot or patch. DOS. |
| Playfair | rare: Belfast area. Scottish or English nick-name. |
| Playford | Very rare: Belfast. English, place in Suffolk. |
| Plews | rare: Derry. English, "at the ploughland". DOS. |
| Plowman | rare: Dublin etc. English, occupational. DBS. |
| Plummer | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, occupational. In Ireland 17 cent. |
| Pollard | numerous: Dublin, South East etc. Ir. Polard. English, 14 cent. See Castlepollard in W Meath. SI. |
| Pomeroy | fairly rare: Down, Dublin, Cork etc. English, 17 cent. From French pommeraie apple orchard. The town in Tyrone seems to have come from the surname. |
| Pomphrett | rare: E Cork. English from Latin ponte fracto, (at) broken bridge. DOS. |
| Ponsonby | fairly rare: Donegal, Tipperary, E Cork. English, 17 cent. From a place in Cumbria; The family was associated with Kilkenny. SI. |
| Poole | numerous: N Down-Belfast, Dublin-South East etc. English, from residence by pool. |
| Poots | fairly numerous: mainly Dromore (Down). English, 17 cent. |
| Pope | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, Belfast. English, probably a nick-name. 16 & 17 cents. |
| Porte | rare: Antrim-Derry. English, variant of Porter. |
| Porter | Very numerous: all areas, mainly Ulster. Ir. Póirtéir. English & Scottish, from 13 cent onwards. "The door-keeper". Frequent in Irish records. MIF. |
| Posnett | rare: Down-Armagh. English, abbreviation of Postlethwaite, a Lancs name. DOS. |
| Poston | rare: Derry-Antrim. English "at postern gate". |
| Potter | numerous: Down-Antrim etc; Dublin, Galway etc. English, 13 cent onwards. In Ulster, the name is probably Scottish. MIF. |
| Pottinger | Very rare: Belfast. English, "soup-maker". |
| Poulter | rare: Dublin, Down. English, "poulterer". |
| Poutch | rare: Dublin etc. English, "pouch-maker". |
| Pownall | rare: Dublin. English toponymic from Cheshire. |
| Poynter | Very rare: Sligo etc. English, "one who impounds" (animals). DBS. |
| Poynton | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands. English toponymic. |
| Pratt | fairly numerous: Belfast area, Dublin, Cavan, Laois, Cork. English, 17 cent. Associated with Cork. SI. |
| Preece | rare: Down-Belfast etc. Welsh, ap Rhys (son of Rhys); or from English place-name. See also Rice. DBS. |
| Prentice | fairly numerous: Belfast area, Armagh, Down etc. English, "apprentice"; a nick-name associated with East Anglia. |
| Prescott | fairly rare: Down-Antrim, Dublin. English, 15 cent onwards. "Priest's cottage". |
| Press | Quite numerous: Belfast etc. English, "priest". DOS. |
| Preston | numerous: mainly Ulster and Dublin. English, 13 cent. A notable family associated with Meath. IF. |
| Priest | rare: Dublin, Meath. English, perhaps a nick-name. |
| Priestly | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down, Dublin etc. English toponymic, "priest's wood". |
| Priestman | rare: Dublin. English, "servant of the priest". DBS. |
| Prior | fairly numerous: Belfast, Cavan-Monaghan-Louth, Dublin etc. Ir. Mac an Phríora. The name may be Anglo-Norman in some cases; otherwise later English arrivals. MIF. |
| Proctor | numerous: Belfast area, Dublin, Midlands etc. English, 17 cent. From the Latin procurator and an official in legal and other matters. SI. |
| Proudfoot | fairly rare: Dublin, Meath, Down. English, 13 cent. "one who walks with haughty gait". SI & DBS. |
| Prouse | Very rare: Dublin. English, "valiant". Associated with Devon. DOS. |
| Pulford | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. |
| Pullen | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast, Down etc. English, from Old French poulain, a colt, perhaps a lively person. DBS. |
| Purce | fairly rare: Antrim-Down etc. English. As Purser, q.v. |
| Purdon | rare: Down-Antrim etc. English, 17 cent. The name was associated with Munster.MIF. |
| Purdy | Quite numerous: Down and Ulster generally. English & Scottish, 17 cent in Ulster. Black dismisses the derivation Pour Dieu and favours a toponymic. SI & SS. |
| Purser | rare: Dublin, South East. English, purse-maker and later (15 cent) ship's officer. |
| Purvis | Quite numerous: Magherafelt-Cookstown (Derry-Tyrone) etc. An English occupational name: "purveyor of supplies". DBS. |
| Putt | rare: scattered. English, variant of Pitt, q.v. |
| Pye | rare: scattered in Ulster. English nick-name, "magpie" etc. DOS. |
| Pyle | Very rare: Dublin. English, "dweller by stake or post". DBS. |
| Pyper | fairly numerous: Down-Belfast, Dublin etc. Ir. Píobaire. English occupational name "piper". DBS. |
| Quaile | fairly numerous: Down and Ulster generally; Midlands. Ir. Mac Fhail. MacLysaght says this is a Manx name (son of Paul) but a connection with Mac Hale, i.e. Mac Céile of Connacht is possible. The English name Quaile (the bird) may also be present. See Mac Quaile. MIF. |
| Quinsey | rare: Wexford etc. English, from place-names in France. DBS. |
| Quinton | rare: Dublin and scattered in Ulster. English: MacLysaght says the name has been in Ireland since 14 cent. Derivation: St. Quentin (France) or other place-name. DBS. |
| Radburn | rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Radcliffe | Quite numerous: Down-Belfast etc. English toponymic "red cliff". Associated with Yorkshire. DOS. |
| Radford | Quite numerous: Wexford etc. English, 16 cent. SI. |
| Radley | rare: Cork etc. English toponymic, "red clearing". a place in Berkshire. |
| Rainbow | rare: Kildare. English, from Midlands. Derives from Teutonic first name. DOS. |
| Raine | rare: Belfast. English, multiple derivations. Usually from N E England. DOS. |
| Rainey | numerous: mainly Ulster, especially Antrim. Ir. Ó Raighne, a W Meath name not now in evidence; the present name appears to be English. See Reaney & Rigney. |
| Rainsford | Quite numerous: E Limerick etc. Apparently English, of recent immigration. |
| Raleigh | Quite numerous: Louth-Meath, Limerick. English, 16 cent. In Limerick pronounced "Rawley", q.v. |
| Ralston | rare: Belfast-Down. English toponymic. See also Rolston & Rolleston. |
| Ramsbottom | Quite numerous: Laois etc. English toponymic: a place in Lancashire. |
| Rasdale | rare: Fermanagh etc. Apparently an English toponymic. |
| Ratcliffe | fairly rare: Dublin, Ulster. English toponymic, "red cliff". |
| Rawlings | rare: Derry-Antrim, Dublin. English, from Cumbria. |
| Rawson | rare: Midlands, Belfast etc. English, "son of Rolf". DBS. |
| Ray | Quite numerous: Dublin, Down etc. English, denoting "king" - some confusion with Scottish Rae and Irish Rea, q.v. |
| Raythorn | rare: Dublin. Apparently English. |
| Reade | Quite numerous: Dublin, South East, Belfast etc. English generally but occasionally variant of Mulderrig and Mulready, q.v. See also Reid. |
| Reaney | (1) mod.nos.: Belfast, Armagh etc. English: students of surnames are greatly indebted to P.H. Reaney (died 1967) for his work on British Surnames: a Yorkshire name, pronounced "Rainey". (2) mod.nos.: Galway etc. Ir. Ó Raighne. See Rigney. MIF. |
| Redfern | fairly rare: Belfast, Tipperary etc. English, associated with Lancashire. DOS. |
| Redman | rare: Armagh-Down, Dublin etc. English, probably a toponymic. DOS. |
| Reeves | fairly numerous: Limerick-Clare, South East, Midlands, Belfast. Generally English from 17 cent. In Ulster may be Ir. Ó Rímheadha, a name associated with Down; in this connection, see O'Rawe. |
| Reid | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. Generally English or Scottish, 17 cent in Ulster but the name may stand for Mulderrig and Mulready, q.v. also. |
| Relph | rare: Belfast. English: a Teutonic first name. DOS. |
| Rendall | rare: Belfast etc. English, dimin. of Randolf. |
| Rennicks | Quite numerous: Meath-Louth, Belfast, Armagh etc. English, from Cumbria 16 cent. See Rennix and Renwick. SI. |
| Renshaw | rare: Belfast, Derry etc. English, "raven wood". DBS. |
| Revels | fairly rare: Armagh etc. English, nick-name "revelry", of Derbyshire. |
| Reville | Quite numerous: Wexford-Waterford etc. English, 17 cent in Wexford. Variant of Revels or a French toponymic. Dauzat. |
| Reynolds | Very numerous: N Leinster, Connacht, E Ulster etc. This English name has taken the place of Ir. Mac Raghnaill, which derives from first name Raghnall, of Norse origin. The sept were located in Leitrim and this is still the centre of their distribution. Those in E Ulster may well be of English origin. IF. |
| Rhodes | rare: Belfast, Down, Dublin etc. English, "road" meaning a clearing. The -h- is affectation. DOS. |
| Richards | fairly numerous: Cork, South East, Belfast. English: a Teutonic first name "powerful-brave", popularised by the Normans. |
| Richardson | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English, 17 cent in Ulster. SI. |
| Riches | rare: scattered. English, abbreviation of Richard. |
| Richmond | numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Rickaby | rare: Dublin. English: "Richard's farm". DOS. |
| Rickerby | rare: South East, Belfast. English, from Cumbria. |
| Rickett | rare: Down. English, dimin. of Richard. |
| Riddall | rare: scattered. English toponymic. |
| Riddell | fairly numerous: Ulster generally. English, from French ridel, small hill. DBS. |
| Ridge | Quite numerous: Galway, especially Conamara, etc. Ir. Mac an Iomaire. A case of an English family coming in 17 cent and becoming gaelicised in Galway. MIF. |
| Ridgeway | fairly rare: South East, Cork etc. English, 17 cent in Ulster. Now found more in the south. |
| Rigby | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast. English toponymic. |
| Riggs | rare: Wicklow, W Meath, Tipperary etc. English, "at the ridge". |
| Rimmer | rare: scattered. English: "a rhymer", associated with Lancashire. |
| Ringrose | rare: Limerick etc. English, 17 cent and connected with E Clare. |
| Ringwood | rare: South East. English toponymic. |
| Ritson | rare: Belfast area. English: dimin. of Richard, from Cumbria. |
| Rix | rare: Belfast. English: dimin. of Richard. DOS. |
| Robbins | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, another dimin. of Robert. |
| Roben | rare: Wexford etc. English, from Robert. |
| Roberts | numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster. Ir. Mac Roibeaird. English and Scottish, from first name Robert, introduced by the Normans. See Mac Roberts. |
| Robinson | Very numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster. Ir. Mac Róibín. MacLysaght notes that this English name is of fairly recent occurrence, but the very wide distribution suggests an earlier Irish origin (in some cases) as Cribbin (Ó Coirbín) and Mac Róibín.MIF: |
| Rochford | numerous: Dublin and South East etc. Ir. de Rosfort (SGA). An Anglo-Norman family who became associated with Meath and Kilkenny. The village of Rochfort Bridge celibrates their adherence to the English interest. See Roughneen. SI. |
| Rocke | numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Ulster etc. Ir. Mac Concharraige (rock-hound). It appears that most Rocks are of English origin. The native name relates to Connacht. |
| Roden | fairly rare: Derry, Belfast, Dublin etc. Ir. Ó Rodáin, rod, strong. An English origin is also possible. SI. |
| Rodgers | Very numerous: mainly Ulster, also Munster. Ir. Mac Ruaidhrí. Ruaidhrí was a popular first name in mediaeval times: meaning "red king". The English name Rodgers appeared in 17 cent and has superceded the native one but see Mac Rory. |
| Rodney | rare: Belfast area. English, perhaps a toponymic. |
| Roe | numerous: all areas, especially Midlands, scattered in Ulster. Ir. Ó Ruaidh (red-haired). A sept of E Cork and Waterford, often changed to Ormonde. The name may also be English, though this is more usual as Rowe. See also Mac Enroe. MIF. |
| Roland | rare: Belfast area etc. English, of Norman origin. DOS. |
| Rolleston | rare: Belfast-Down-Armagh. English, 17 cent. See Rolston and Roulston. SI. |
| Rolston | Quite numerous: Armagh etc. English, settled in Armagh early 17 cent. From place name meaning "Rolf's farm". |
| Rooks | rare: Antrim etc. English, nick-name from bird. |
| Roome | rare: Antrim etc. English, from the city of Rome, 16 cent pronunciation. DOS. |
| Roper | Quite numerous: Sligo, Dublin, Belfast etc. English, "rope-maker". |
| Rosborough | Quite numerous: Derry etc. English, 17 cent. See Roxborough. |
| Rose | fairly numerous: Belfast, Down, Cork, Donegal. English, 17 cent in Limerick. |
| Ross | Very numerous: Mainly E Ulster and N Leinster. Ir. Rosach (SGA). Scottish in Ulster, probably English in the south. SI. |
| Rossiter | fairly numerous: Wexford etc. English, from Rochester in Lincolnshire. They came in 1170 and have always been associated with Wexford. Ir. Rosaitear. MIF. |
| Rosson | rare: Belfast area. English, from Rosthern in Cheshire. DBS. |
| Roth | rare: Dublin etc. Ir. Rút. English, 14 cent. One of the "Ten Tribes of Kilkenny". Now more usual as Ruth, q.v. IF. |
| Rothwell | fairly numerous: Wexford etc. English toponymic "spring in a clearing". DOS. |
| Roulston | fairly numerous: mainly Ulster: English, 17 cent in Armagh. SI. |
| Rountree | Quite numerous: Armagh, Meath etc. Ir. Ó Caorthannáin, caorthann, rowan-tree. The name is English but in Ireland 14 cent. It is now a Yorkshire name, usually Rowntree. |
| Rouse | Quite numerous: Sligo, Tyrone, Midlands etc. English, "red-haired". |
| Rowan | numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster, E Midlands. Ir. Ó Ruadháin. This name is generally English (from the tree), but also a synonym of Rohan and Ruane, q.v. |
| Rowden | rare: Dublin etc. English place-name, "rough hill". DOS. |
| Rowe | numerous: all areas, especially Ulster and South East. English in general but with some confusion with Roe, q.v. SI. |
| Rowland | Quite numerous: (1) Mayo: Ó Rothláin, perhaps from Roghallach (Reilly). (2) Portadown (Armagh) etc. English, from first name Roland. See also Rowley. |
| Rowley | fairly numerous: (1) Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim. Ir. Ó Rothláin, a sept of Sligo or Mayo. (2) Down etc. An English name, figuring in the settlement of 17 cent. See Rowland. |
| Rowntree | fairly rare: Armagh-Down-Monaghan. Evidently an English name, it appeared in Oriel (Armagh-Monaghan) in 14 cent. It now occurs as Rowantree, Rountree, Roundtree and in Irish, by translation, Ó Caorthannáin. SI. |
| Rowsome | fairly rare: Wexford, Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. associated with the Quakers. SI. |
| Royce | rare: Wexford etc. English, 17 cent. Cottle describes a complicated derivation under the name Rose, which is analogous. DOS. |
| Roycroft | Quite numerous: Cork, Down etc. English, 17 cent. A place-name "rye field". DBS. |
| Royle | rare: Belfast area etc. English toponymic. |
| Royston | rare: Portumna (Galway) etc. English toponymic. |
| Rubotham | rare: Dublin. English toponymic, "dweller in the rough valley". DBS. |
| Rudd | Quite numerous: Dublin, Derry, Belfast etc. English, 17 cent. A name meaning "red". Formerly connected with Wexford. SI. |
| Ruddle | Quite numerous: Portadown (Armagh), Limerick. (-ell in Ulster; -dle in the south). This English name appeared in 13 cent. Ir. Riodal. SI. |
| Ruddock | fairly numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Cork etc. English nick-name, "redbreast". |
| Ruddy | numerous: Ulster generally, Mayo-Galway. Ir. Ó Rodaigh. Synonym of Roddy, so connected with Leitrim. Those of E Ulster may be of English origin. |
| Rue | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, probably from place-name. |
| Rundle | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, associated with Cornwall. DOS. |
| Rusher | Very rare: Antrim. English, "cutter of rushes". |
| Russell | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. Ir. Ruiséil. Scottish and English but introduced by the Normans: French roussel, red-haired. Although recorded at the Invasion, most Russells came in 16 and 17 cents. IF. |
| Rust | rare: Dundalk (Louth) etc. English, perhaps nick-name. |
| Ruston | rare: Bangor (Down). English toponymic, relating to E Anglia. DOS. |
| Ruth | Quite numerous: South East, Belfast area etc. Ir. Rút. An English name always associated with Kilkenny; see Rothe. SI & IF. |
| Rutland | rare: Dublin. English place-name. |
| Rutter | rare: Belfast, Dublin. English, player on rote (musical instrument). DBS. |
| Ruttledge | numerous: Fermanagh-Tyrone and Ulster generally; Dublin, Sligo and scattered in south. English in Ulster 17 cent. In Connacht it stands for Mulderrig, q.v. SI. |
| Ruxton | rare: Cork, Cavan etc. Probably an English toponymic from place in Hampshire. |
| Ryder | numerous: Galway-Mayo, scattered elsewhere. Ir. Ó Marcaigh & Ó Marcacháin (both meaning "horseman"). The latter has become Markham in Clare. In Ulster, the English Markham probably applies.MIF. |
| Ryles | Quite numerous: Kerry etc. Ir. Ó Raghaill, derivation not clear. Appearing as Rahill, Rehill, Reihill and Ryall - the latter is also English, which may account for those around Belfast. |
| Saddler | Quite numerous: Limerick, Belfast etc. Ir. Saidléir. English, occupational, in Ireland from 16 & 17 cent. Multiple spellings |
| Sailes | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Sainsbury | rare: Dublin etc. English, for Saintbury (Gloucestershire). DBS. |
| Salisbury | rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, probably from Salesbury in Lancs. DOS. |
| Salley | Quite numerous: Tyrone, Wicklow etc. Ir. Mac Sailligh, Mac Salaigh. A name from Oriel (Armagh-Monaghan). It may also be of English origin, from place-names. SGG & DOS. |
| Salmon | numerous: all areas, especially Mayo-Galway, Down. Ir. Ó Bradáin, bradán, a salmon. East of the Shannon, it is likely to be English. See also Sammon. MIF. |
| Salt | rare: Belfast etc. English, as Salter. |
| Salters | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Cork, South East. English, "salt-maker". |
| Sammon | fairly numerous: Mayo and adjacent areas, Midlands, Derry etc. Ir. Ó Bradáin (in Connacht). In Midlands and east, it is English derived from biblical Solomon. |
| Sampson | Quite numerous: Belfast, Limerick, Derry etc. Ir. Samsún. From a Welsh saint or the biblical character. English, 14 cent. Prominent in Limerick 17 cent. SI. |
| Sanders | fairly rare: Antrim, Cork, Limerick etc. Scottish and English: an abbreviation of Alexander. See Saunders. |
| Sandford | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast etc. English toponymic. |
| Sands | numerous: mainly Ulster, also Dublin, Louth, South East. English, 17 & 18 cents. It has been associated with Kerry, Roscommon & Armagh. Also as Sandes & Sandys. MIF. |
| Sandys | rare: Galway etc. See Sands. These names are English toponymics. |
| Sangster | rare: Belfast area. English, "singer". |
| Sankey | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Santry | Quite numerous: Cork. Ir. de Seantrabh. From the place-name near Dublin, alternativly, English, "sanctuary" - one who sought same. SI, DBS. |
| Saunders | numerous: all areas, especially Dublin, Belfast, South East. The southern English version of Sanders, q.v. |
| Sawyers | rare: Tyrone, Dublin, South East. English, occupational. DOS. |
| Sayers | fairly numerous: Tyrone-Down, Kerry etc. Ir. Saoghar. An English name, associated with W Kerry, but more plentiful in Ulster. The name Sears (Mac Saoghair) may also be involved in Kerry. SI & SGG. |
| Scaife | rare: Dublin etc. English, "awkward, awry". DOS. |
| Scales | Quite numerous: Clare, Belfast etc. Anglo-Norman, 14 cent when they appeared in Limerick. Later English immigration in Ulster. The name means "huts" in Old English. |
| Scarborough | rare: Belfast. English toponymic. |
| Scarff | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, "cormorant". DOS. |
| Scarlett | Quite numerous: Portadown (Armagh) etc. English, nick-name from clothes etc. |
| Scates | rare: Belfast, Down. English, "swift". DOS. |
| Scholes | rare: scattered in Ulster. English, variant of Scales, q.v. |
| Scoley | rare: Armagh. Probably English toponymic. |
| Scollard | fairly rare: Kerry-Limerick etc. English, 16 cent, associated with Kerry. SI. |
| Scraggs | rare: Dublin etc. English, "lean, rugged". |
| Scriven | rare: Cork etc. English, occupational. DOS. |
| Seagrave | rare: Dublin etc. English, 14 cent. Ir. de Saográbh. SI. |
| Seales | Quite numerous: Laois-Kilkenny-Tipperary, Dublin, Galway etc. English toponymic. SI. |
| Sealy | fairly rare: Dublin & scattered. Ir. Ó Sealbhaigh (see Shalloo) but generally English derived from Old English saelig, fortunate (now ironically, silly). See Seely. DBS. |
| Seaman | rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English occupational and associated with E Anglia. DOS. |
| Seavers | fairly rare: Dublin etc. Ir. Saomhar. English, 17 cent in Ulster, now quite rare there. |
| Seaye | rare: Belfast, Down. Apparently English, a name fom Somerset. DOS. |
| Sedgwick | rare: Antrim, Belfast, Dublin. English toponymic from Cumbria. |
| Seeds | fairly rare: E Ulster. English. DBS. |
| Sefton | Quite numerous: Derry-Antrim-Down. English, from Lancashire. |
| Selby | rare: Belfast. English, "willow farm". |
| Sellars | rare: Dublin etc. English, "storeman". |
| Senior | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast, Midlands. English, meaning "lord" or "older". DOS. |
| Sergeant | Quite numerous: Portadown-Lurgan (Armagh) etc. English occupational name recorded since mediaeval times. Derived from Latin serviens, serving. SI. |
| Service | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English or Scottish, meaning either "service" or "ale-seller". |
| Sewell | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Midlands etc. Ir. Ó Súiligh (sharp-eyed). This name is generally of English origin and appears in early records. The Irish name is rare. SI. |
| Sexton | numerous: all areas, especially Cork-Limerick-Clare. Ir. Ó Seasnáin. A Clare family associated with Limerick City. They were also in Cavan-Monaghan. Most are of indigenous stock though the name is thoroughly English, i.e. "sacristan". SI. |
| Seymour | fairly numerous: Belfast area, N Tipperary, Cork etc. English, 17 cent. Derived from French place-name St Maur. SI & DOS. |
| Shackleton | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 18 cent. A notable Quaker family from Yorkshire. |
| Shadlow | rare: Dublin. English, "boundary-hill". |
| Shankey | fairly rare: Meath-Monaghan etc. Apparently English, variant of Shanks. |
| Shanks | numerous: Belfast area, Down etc. English and Scottish, 17 cent in Ulster. It is of course a nick-name "legs", extra long ones, no doubt. DOS. |
| Sharpe | numerous: Belfast, E Ulster, Dublin, E Leinster. Ir. Ó Géaráin. The Irish name pertains to Donegal; most Sharpes are of English origin. SI. |
| Sharples | rare: Belfast area etc. English toponymic from Lancashire. |
| Sharvin | Quite numerous: Down etc. Ir. Ó Searbháin, from searbh, sour, bitter. This name has been associated with Roscommon but there may have been another group in the Ards Peninsula. There is also the English name Sherwin, q.v. |
| Shaw | Very numerous: all areas, especially E Ulster and Midlands. Scots Gaelic Sídeach ? (wolf). The Lowland Scots and English name Shaw refers to a "copse, thicket". Both would be represented in Ulster where they came in 17 cent. SI & IF. |
| Shearer | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. English occupational name. See also Sherman. |
| Sheldon | rare: E Ulster. English toponymic from E Midlands. In Ireland 17 cent. |
| Shelley | fairly numerous: Tipperary-Laois-Carlow etc. See Shalvey. The English name seems not to apply here. |
| Sheppard | numerous: Ulster, Dublin, Midlands, South East. English, 13 cent in Dublin, in Ulster 17 cent. SI. |
| Sherlock | numerous: all areas, especially Midlands, Sligo. Ir. Scurlóg. English, 13 cent in Ireland, and meaning "fair-haired". The Old English was scir loc (bright lock). These people settled in the Midlands and became hibernicised. MIF. |
| Sherman | Quite numerous: Midlands, Armagh etc. Ir. Searman. English occupational, 17 cent. See Shearer: related to sheep-shearing. SI. |
| Sherrard | Quite numerous: Derry, Cork etc. English, 17 cent. Noted as "prentice boys" at the seige of Derry of 1689. MIF. |
| Sherriff | rare: Midlands, E Ulster. English occupational: shire-reeve. A title pre-dating the Norman Conquest in England. DBS. |
| Sherwin | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Midlands. Ir. Ó Searbháin, searbh, bitter. They were a sept of Roscommon but most Sherwins seem to be of English origin. The derivation "cut the wind", i.e. a fast runner, is imaginative from this quarter. DOS. |
| Sherwood | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, South East. English, "shire-wood". In Ireland 17 cent. |
| Shillington | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. |
| Shimmons | rare: Belfast area. Possibly Manx Mac Shimmin (son of Simon). An English name also exists and may be present. DBS. |
| Shipp | rare: Belfast area. English, for a sailor. DOS. |
| Shipsey | rare: Waterford etc. MacLysaght records it in W Cork early 18 cent. It appears to be an English toponymic. SI. |
| Shirley | Quite numerous: Midlands, N Ulster etc. English toponymic, "bright wood". DOS. |
| Shore | fairly rare: South East etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Short | numerous: all areas, especially Belfast, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow. Ir. Mac an Gheairr (short man). Usually English in origin. See also Shortt. |
| Shorten | fairly numerous: Cork-Limerick etc. Ir. Seartáin. An English name long enough in Ireland to be gaelicised. Associated with Cork. SI. |
| Shortt | numerous: Ulster, Midands etc. Ir. Mac an Gheairr (Ghirr). The Irish name is associated with Armagh. However, it seems likely that many Shortts are of English origin. See also Mac Girr and Short. |
| Shuter | rare: Tyrone etc. English, a good archer. DOS. |
| Sibbery | rare: Dublin, Sligo etc. English toponymic. SI. |
| Sibley | rare: Dublin, Down. English, from first name Sybil. DOS. |
| Sides | rare: Dublin, Fermanagh etc. English locative name. SI. |
| Sillcock | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English, from Sil, dimin. of Silvester plus diminutive particle "coc". DBS. |
| Silles | fairly rare: Wexford-Waterford, Kerry. English, dimin. of Silvester. |
| Simcox | rare: Cork, Limerick. English, dimin. of Simon. |
| Simmons | fairly numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English, from first name Simon. |
| Simpson | Very numerous: Mainly Ulster, also Waterford, Offaly etc. Ir. Mac Shim. The name may be English or Scottish. It was found in Ulster in 17 cent. |
| Singer | rare: Derry etc. English occupational. |
| Singleton | fairly numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Cork etc. Ir. Ó Siondaile, a gaelicisation in Cork of the English toponymic, which generally appeared in 17 cent. SI. |
| Sisson | rare: Dublin. English, dimin. of Cecelia. DOS. |
| Skates | fairly rare: Belfast area etc. English, meaning "fast". DBS. |
| Skeffington | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Dublin etc. An English toponymic in Ireland since 1534. |
| Skelton | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, Wexford etc. Ir. de Scealtún. English, 15 cent. Long associated with Laois. SI. |
| Skillington | rare: Cork. Apparently an English toponymic, though no origin has been found. |
| Skinner | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Dublin, Cork. Ir. Scinéir. English and Scottish, and, as Cottle remarks: "part of the great tanning industry". |
| Slater | fairly numerous: Ulster generally, South East etc. English and Scottish, 17 cent. See Sleator. |
| Sleator | Quite numerous: Belfast, Armagh, Monaghan, Midlands. An English occupational name from the North Midlands. DOS. |
| Sleith | fairly rare: E Ulster. English toponymic. DBS. |
| Slinger | rare: Belfast area. English, soldiers or workers with slings. |
| Slye | fairly rare: Dublin, Wexford etc. English, "expert, devious". DBS. |
| Smallman | rare: E Ulster. English, person of tenant status. DBS. |
| Smalls | numerous: E Ulster, Galway etc. Ir. Ó Beig (Galway); Ó Caoilte (Ulster). This name is also a current English one, no doubt relevent in Ulster. See Quilty. |
| Smallwoods | Quite numerous: Derry, Belfast etc. Ir. Mac Conchoillín. An English toponymic also exists and may apply in some areas. SGG, SGA & DOS. |
| Smart | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English nickname, "brisk, prompt. |
| Smeaton | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English & Scottish toponymic. DOS. |
| Smee | rare: Dublin, Tipperary. English, "smooth, suave". |
| Smithwick | rare: Kilkenny-Tipperary etc. Ir. Smidic. English, 17 cent. MIF. |
| Smurfit | Very rare: Dublin. English, from Smorthwaite "small clearing". DOS. |
| Smythe | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster and Midlands. Ir. Mac Gabhann, Mac an Ghabhann (son of the smith). The Irish name was widespread and generally changed to Smith/Smyth. Branches in Clare and Tipperary were traditional historians. Many are also of Scottish or English origin in Ulster. See also Mac Gowan. SGG & IF. |
| Sneddon | rare: Down. Apparently an English toponymic. |
| Snell | rare: Midlands etc. English, "bold, brisk". DOS. |
| Snow | Quite numerous: Dublin, Fermanagh and scattered. Ir. a' t-Sneachta. It is generally an English name from 17 cent. SI. |
| Snowden | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Monaghan etc. English toponymic "snow hill", from the North of England. |
| Soden | Quite numerous: Cavan etc. English, 17 cent. Reaney derives it from Soldan, i.e. Sultan, a nick-name from a mediaeval play. MIF. |
| Somers | numerous: all areas, especially South East. Ir. Ó Somacháin (Connacht); and Mag Shamhráin (Ulster). The name is usually of English origin in Leinster.MIF. |
| Somerset | rare: Belfast area. English toponymic. DOS |
| Sommerville | numerous: mainly E Ulster; the family was also associated with Cork. It is English, probably derived from a French place-name. See Summerville. SI. |
| South | rare: Limerick City, Ulster. Ir. Sabhat. Of English origin, "one from the south". |
| Southern | fairly rare: Kildare, Wicklow etc. English, 14 cent in Meath. SI. |
| Southwell | rare: Belfast, Dublin etc. English toponymic. |
| Spackman | rare: Belfast. English, "spokesman". DOS. |
| Spaight | rare: Limerick-Clare-Tipperary etc. English, 17 cent. A nick-name "wood-pecker". |
| Spalding | rare: scattered. English toponymic. |
| Sparks | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English, nick-name, "bright, lively". |
| Sparrow | fairly rare: Belfast, Wicklow-Kildare, Tipperary. An English name in Wexford since the 17 cent. SI. |
| Spearman | rare: Tipperary, Antrim etc. English, occupational. Abbreviated to Speers, q.v. |
| Speers | numerous: Ulster generally. English, 18 cent. May signify "spearman" or "watchman", i.e. "spyer". Also as Speirs and Spiers. SI. |
| Spendlove | rare: Dublin. English nick-name. |
| Spicer | fairly rare: Dublin and scattered. English, "dealer in spices". |
| Spiller | rare: Dublin, Cork. English, "waster". DOS. |
| Spittle | rare: Tipperary etc. Ir. Spidéal (hospice). Scottish and English, perhaps attendant at a hospital. SS. |
| Sprague | rare: Belfast area. English, variant of Spark, q.v. |
| Spratt | numerous: Belfast, Down, Dublin, Waterford. English, 17 cent in Ulster. |
| Spring | Quite numerous: Kerry, Clare, Kildare etc. An English family who came to Kerry in the end of 16 cent. They have been prominent there since. MIF. |
| Squires | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, "attendant to a knight". DBS. |
| Stacey | Quite numerous: South East, Belfast, Antrim. English, a diminutive of Eustace. DOS. |
| Stack | numerous: all areas, mainly Munster with strongest concentraton in N Kerry. Ir. Staic. An English name in Kerry since 13 cent. They became gaelicised and were prominent in the Resistance. IF. |
| Stagg | rare: Dublin and scattered. English, apparently a nick-name. |
| Staines | rare: Dublin. English toponymic. |
| Stalker | rare: Belfast. English occupational name. |
| Stallard | rare: Dublin, E Ulster. English, "sturdy, brave". DBS. |
| Stanbridge | rare: Dublin. English, "stone bridge". DOS. |
| Stanfield | fairly numerous: Belfast area etc. English toponymic. |
| Stanford | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Dublin. Ir. de Stanfort. English, 16 cent. |
| Stanley | numerous: all areas: especially South East and E Ulster. Ir. de Stainléigh. English, 13 cent; then associated with Meath. SI. |
| Stark | rare: Belfast area etc. English and Scottish, "firm, tough". DOS. |
| Starkey | fairly rare: Dublin, Down etc. English, 14 cent in Dublin. Derivation as Stark. |
| Starr | Quite numerous: Nenagh (Tipperary and Ulster generally. English 17 cent. A nick-name. |
| Statham | rare: Kilkenny etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Stead | fairly rare: Belfast etc. English, "stead", a place. |
| Steadman | rare: Dublin, Wicklow, Belfast. English, "farm-man", but see Steed. |
| Stears | rare: Dublin etc. English, "oxen" - perhaps a cow-herd. |
| Steede | fairly rare: Belfast area. English, "steed", a horse or, occupational. |
| Steen | Quite numerous: E Ulster and general. Ir. Ó Stíbhin. English or Scottish, 17 cent in Ulster. It is an abbreviation of Stephen or from a place-name "stone". |
| Stephens | numerous: all areas, especially Sligo-Mayo-Roscommon-Galway. Ir. Mac Stiofáin, a patronymic adopted by some Norman families or, Mac Giolla Stiofáin, a native name connected with Laois. Also the name of later English immigrants. MIF. |
| Sterling | fairly numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Down etc. Scottish or English, "starling" or place-name Stirling. |
| Sterne | rare: Belfast area. English, "severe". |
| Stock | rare: Belfast area etc. English, "stump of tree". A general locative name analogous with Stokes, q.v. |
| Stockard | rare: Belfast area. English, "keeper of stock". |
| Stockdale | Quite numerous: Belfast area. English, "tree-stump valley". |
| Stockwell | rare: scattered. English, "tree-stump spring". |
| Stoddart | rare: Belfast etc. English, "keeper of a stud". |
| Stokes | numerous: all areas, especially Dublin, Belfast, South East, Limerick. Ir. Stóc. An English locative name, it is in Ireland since 14 cent. The family is notable for contributions to science and literature in 19 cent. IF. |
| Stones | numerous: Belfast, Derry, Midlands, South East, Cork. An English locative name, it has been substituted, in some cases, for Clocharty and Muckley, q.v. |
| Stoney | rare: Meath, Galway etc. English, 17 cent. SI. |
| Storey | numerous: Belfast area, N Antrim, Tyrone, Dublin, South East. English, from Old Norse first name Stori. In Ireland 17 cent and associated with Tyrone. SI. |
| Stott | rare: Belfast, Dublin, Cork. English, "a bullock". Perhaps a nick-name. DBS. |
| Stout | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, Belfast. English, "bold, determined". Associated with Youghal. |
| Stowe | rare: Dublin. English locative name, "assembly place". DOS. |
| Stranaghan | fairly rare: Down-Antrim. Ir. Ó Sranacháin, srann, snoring, humming. It might be noted that anglicisation turns "sr" of Gaelic into "str" in English. |
| Strange | mod nos.: Belfast, Antrim, Tipperary. English, "newcomer, foreigner". DOS. |
| Stratford | rare: Belfast area etc. English toponymic. |
| Stratton | Quite numerous: Belfast, Down etc. English locative, "place on a Roman road". DOS. |
| Strawbridge | fairly rare: Derry etc. English locative, "market-place bridge". |
| Street | rare: Derry, Cork etc. English locative, "Roman road". |
| Streight | rare: Belfast area. English epithet name, "straight". |
| Stretton | rare: scattered. Common English place-name and variant of Stratton, q.v. |
| Strickland | rare: Dublin, Derry, Down etc. English toponymic from Cumbria. |
| Stringer | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English occupational, "bow-string maker". DOS. |
| Stritch | Quite numerous: Clare-Limerick-Cork etc. Ir. Straoits. An English name analogous to Street; in Ireland 14 cent, they were prominent in the affairs of Limerick City. MIF. |
| Strong | fairly numerous: Ulster, Laois-Offaly etc. English epithet, in Ulster 17 cent. |
| Strutt | rare: Dublin etc. Probably an English nick-name. |
| Stubbings | rare: Dublin, Limerick. English, "place of tree-stumps". DOS. |
| Stubbs | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Cork etc. English, perhaps "short stature". DBS. |
| Studdert | rare: scattered. English, in Clare 17 cent. |
| Sturdy | rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, "brave". DOS. |
| Styles | Quite numerous: Dublin & scattered. English, "dweller by stile or steep slope". DBS. |
| Sudlow | rare: Down. English, probably "south hill". |
| Summers | rare: Belfast & scattered. Ir. Ó Somacháin, somach, soft, innocent person. There is also an English name, meaning "pack-horse man". See also Somers. |
| Sumner | rare: Belfast. English, "summoner". DBS. |
| Sunderland | Quite numerous: South East etc. English toponymic, 18 cent in Wexford and confused with Sutherland, q.v. |
| Surgenor | fairly numerous: Antrim etc. English, "surgeon". 17 cent in Ulster. |
| Suttle | rare: Dublin etc. English, place-name or nick-name, "sly". |
| Swaine | fairly numerous: Ulster, South East etc. English, from Norse sveinn, a boy or servant. In Leinster since 13 cent. SI. |
| Swann | numerous: Ulster & Leinster. English, "swan" etc. DOS. |
| Swanton | Quite numerous: mainly Cork. An English toponymic, in Cork 17 cent and prominent with the Wild Geese in France. MIF. |
| Sweet | rare: Belfast etc. English, from Somerset. DBS. |
| Sweetlove | rare: Belfast. English, apparently a nick-name. DBS. |
| Sweetnam | Quite numerous: mainly Cork. An English toponymic from Cheshire. |
| Swift | fairly numerous: Fermanagh and scattered. English, 17 cent. It may stand for Ó Fuada in Connacht - see Foody. MIF. |
| Swinburne | fairly rare; Monaghan etc. English, "pig brook". |
| Swindells | Quite numerous: Fermanagh, Belfast etc. English, perhaps from swingle, an implement for treating flax. |
| Swinerton | rare: scattered in Ulster. English toponymic in Staffs. |
| Sykes | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Wexford etc. English locative name from Yorkshire. |
| Synge | rare: Dublin. English, 17 cent. A noted ecclesiastical family. MIF. |
| Taft | rare: Cork. English locative name. DBS. |
| Taite | Quite numerous: Cork etc. An English name in Ulster 17 cent. Originally a nick-name meaning "jolly, cheerful". DBS. |
| Tallant | rare: Kilkenny etc. Ir. Talant. English, 16 cent in Carlow. See Tallon. |
| Tancred | rare: Dublin etc. English, from first name of Teutonic origin. Also giving the name Tankard, q.v. |
| Tandon | rare: Tyrone, Down. Probably an English place-name. |
| Tandy | English, in Meath 14 cent. Pet name for Andrew. The name does not appear in current telephone directories, but has been previously recorded. |
| Tang | rare: E Ulster. English locative name; also Chinese, 20 cent. |
| Tanham | fairly rare: Dublin. Probably an English place-name. |
| Tapley | rare: Dublin. Probably an English toponymic. |
| Taplin | rare: Antrim, Dublin etc. English, dimin. of O.E. first name Tapp. |
| Tarleton | rare: Laois-Offaly etc. English, from Liverpool about 1600. Settled in Offaly. |
| Tarrant | Quite numerous: Kerry-Cork etc. Ir. Ó Toráin, tor, a tower and by extension, a lord. The name is English (a toponymic); the extent that it has replaced Ó Toráin is not clear as the latter is associated with Derry where it is anglicised Torrens, q.v. |
| Tate | numerous: Mainly E Ulster & Dublin. English, in Ulster 17 cent. A North of England name. See also Tait. DOS. |
| Tattan | rare: Kerry-Limerick, Dublin. English, "Tate's farm". |
| Teape | rare: Cork etc. English, from first name Tapp; see Tapley. |
| Tease | rare: Donegal. English occupational, (teasing cloth). |
| Tector | rare: Wexford. English, "plasterer". |
| Tedders | rare: Meath-Cavan etc. English, occupational (spreading hay etc.) |
| Tedford | Quite numerous: Armagh-Belfast, Limerick. Probably an English toponymic. |
| Tees | scattered in Ulster. English, "at the stream". |
| Teggart | Quite numerous: Down-Armagh etc. A variant of Mac Entaggart; an English name also exists, though unlikely here. |
| Teggin | Very rare: Dublin. English, perhaps related to tegg, a young sheep. |
| Telford | numerous: E Ulster, Midlands. Scottish & English, properly telfer, "cut-iron", an artificier. In Ulster 17 cent. DOS. |
| Tempest | Very rare: Belfast. English, in Ulster 17 cent. |
| Tennyson | Quite numerous: Armagh-Down-Tyrone etc. English, from first name Dennis. DOS. |
| Tew | Very rare: Newtownards (Down). English, 16 cent in Waterford. A toponymic, "meeting-place". DOS. |
| Thompson | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster, Dublin, South East. One of the most numerous non-indigenous names, usually of English origin. |
| Thornberry | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin. English toponymic. |
| Thornes | Quite numerous: Dublin, Louth, Belfast etc. English, probably from place-name. |
| Thornhill | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork etc. English, 17 cent in Cork. From various places. |
| Thornton | numerous: all areas, especially Connacht, Derry, S Ulster, N Midlands. This is a portmanteau English name for: Ó Draighneáin, Mac Sceacháin, Ó Toráin. The connection is: draighean, blackthorn; sceach, whitethorn; tor, a bush. MacLysaght remarks that some Thorntons in Limerick were 16 cent planters. See Drennan, Skehan. |
| Thorpe | Quite numerous: Derry, Dublin, South East etc. English, meaning "farm" or "village". |
| Threadgold | rare: Dublin. English, "embroiderer". DOS. |
| Thurley | rare: Down. English toponymic from Bedford. DOS. |
| Thurlow | rare: Dublin. English toponymic from E Anglia. |
| Thursby | rare: Antrim etc. English, "Thor's farm" in Cumbria. |
| Tibbs | rare: Belfast. English, dimin. of first name Theobald. DBS. |
| Tiffney | rare: Portadown (Armagh). English, from Latin Theofania (manifestation of God). A first name given to children born on the feast of the Epiphany. DBS. |
| Tilley | rare: Dublin etc. Ir. Ó Taithligh (see Tally). But it may be an English name in Dublin. |
| Tilson | Quite numerous: Lisburn (Armagh), Cavan-Longford, Waterford etc. English, from old first name Till. DOS. |
| Timbs | rare: Sligo, Dublin. English, from old first name Timm. |
| Timpson | rare: Dublin, Kildare etc. English, "Timm's son". |
| Tinsley | Quite numerous: N Down etc. English toponymic from Lancashire. Ir. ? Ó Cinnsealaigh. |
| Tipper | rare: Dublin, Wicklow. Originally English, the name has been in Kildare since 1300 and associated with native scholarship. SI. |
| Titterington | Quite numerous: Belfast area etc. Apparently an English toponymic. |
| Toft | rare: Dublin etc. English locative name relating to a croft or homestead. DBS. |
| Tolland | rare: Belfast. English toponymic from Somerset or variant of Toland, q.v. |
| Tomkins | Quite numerous: mainly South East. English, dimin.of Thomas. |
| Tomlinson | fairly rare: E Ulster, Dublin etc. See Tomlin. From English Midlands. DOS. |
| Tone | rare: Dublin etc. English, 16 cent. |
| Tonge | Quite numerous: Dublin. English, 17 cent in Wexford. MIF. |
| Topham | rare: Dublin. English toponymic, Yorkshire. |
| Topley | fairly rare: Tandragee (Armagh) etc. English locative name, "clearing for rams". |
| Torbitt | fairly rare: Belfast, Antrim. English. Reaney discusses this name under Turbitt. |
| Torrens | numerous: Ulster generally. Ir. Ó Toráin. Some of these may be of English origin but the native name is connected with Derry. MacLysaght remarks that tracing origins in this case poses particular difficulties. MIF. |
| Totten | numerous: Belfast and E Ulster etc. Probably an English toponymic. |
| Tottenham | rare: scattered. English, 17 cent in Wexford. SI. |
| Towell | Quite numerous: Belfast-Antrim, Dublin-Meath. Ir. Ó Tuathail, i.e. synonym of O'Toole, q.v. Also, possibly, the English names Towle and Towell, both current there. DOS. |
| Towers | fairly rare: Dublin, Ulster. English, locative. DOS. |
| Towney | Quite numerous; Belfast, Down, Derry, Dublin. An English name from Lancs 16 cent. SI. |
| Townsend | fairly numerous: South East, Ulster generally. An English family associated with W Cork since 17 cent. See Castletownshend. SI. |
| Townsley | Quite numerous: Belfast etc. English toponymic. |
| Toye | fairly rare: Derry etc. Ir. Ó Toghdha (see Towey). There is the possiblity of an English origin in some cases. |
| Trappe | fairly rare: Midlands, Monaghan etc. English occupational name. DOS. |
| Travers | numerous: Ulster, Sligo-Roscommon, South East etc. Ir. Ó Treabhair (skilful), in Connacht; otherwise an English occupational name "toll-gate keeper". SI. |
| Trew | rare: Belfast. English locative name, "tree". |
| Trinder | rare: Cork etc. Probably an English occupational name. |
| Trotter | Quite numerous: Ulster generally, Manorhamilton (Leitrim) etc. An English name from Northumbria: occupational, "messenger". |
| Trueman | Quite numerous: Down-Tyrone etc. An English name from Cheshire. |
| Truesdale | Quite numerous: Down-Armagh etc. Apparently an English topomymic. |
| Tubman | fairly rare: Fermanagh etc. English occupational, "cooper". |
| Tuck | rare: Dublin and scattered. An English name of Scandinavian origin; not to be confused with Tucker. DOS. |
| Tucker | fairly numerous: Dublin, Munster, Down etc. English, a fuller (of cloth). It may also stand for Ó Tuathchair in some cases. See Tougher. SI. |
| Tuff | rare: Antrim. Possibly English, "hillock". |
| Tufts | rare: Down etc. English locative name. DOS. |
| Tunstead | rare: Dublin etc. English, "farm-stead". |
| Turkington | numerous: Ulster, mainly East. An English toponymic associated with Armagh, in the 17 cent. SI. |
| Turney | rare: Down etc. English, from French place-name; so of Norman origin. |
| Turpin | fairly rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English, said to derive from Norse Thor-Finn. DBS. |
| Turtle | numerous: N Antrim etc. English, probably corruption of Norse Thorketill, which was current amongst the Normans. DBS. |
| Turton | rare: Antrim-Derry etc. English, "Thor's farm". |
| Turvey | rare: Antrim etc. English toponymic, "turf island". |
| Tuthill | fairly rare: Dublin and scattered. English, appearing at the Cromwellian settlement. |
| Tuttle | rare: Clare-Limerick etc. English, 17 cent. Synonyous with Tuthill. |
| Tutty | Quite numerous: Kildare-Wicklow etc. English, 17 cent. Perhaps Ó Tuathaigh in some cases. |
| Twamley | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. MacLysaght says it is an English toponymic, in Wicklow in the 18 cent. SI. |
| Twigge | rare: Tyrone-Antrim etc. Probably English, "twig, shoot"; although it may stand for Ir. Ó Cuaig. See Quigg. |
| Twinem | Quite numerous: Armagh etc. Probably English, Twinham "between streams". DOS. |
| Twiss | rare: Kerry etc. English, 17 cent in Kerry. A locative relating to the fork of two streams; compare Ir. gabhal. |
| Twyford | rare: Dublin, Belfast. English toponymic, "double ford". DOS. |
| Tyers | rare: scattered. English occupational name from the Midlands represented by one family in Ireland who are notable for services to Irish culture. |
| Tyler | fairly rare: South East etc. English occupational name. |
| Tyndall | Quite numerous: Dublin, Kildare-Wicklow, Belfast etc. English, "vale of Tyne". |
| Tyson | rare: Dublin etc. English, a nick-name "fire-brand". From Cumbria. DOS. |
| Underwood | fairly rare: Wexford etc. English toponymic. |
| Uniacke | rare: Cork etc. Ir. Doinngeard. An English name in Cork 14 cent. They were particulary associated with Youghal and were connected with the name Garde. MIF. |
| Unwin | rare: Belfast. English nick-name, "enemy". DOS. |
| Upton | Quite numerous: Limerick etc. English toponymic; associated with Cork from 17 cent. |
| Uzell | rare: Dublin. English, of Norman origin from Old French oisel, bird. DBS. |
| Valentine | fairly numerous: Down, Fermanagh, Midlands etc. Ir. Vailintín. English, 18 cent, from first name Valentine, a Roman martyr. Associated with S Leinster. |
| Vallance | rare: Belfast area. English, from place-name in France. DBS. |
| Vance | numerous: Ulster generally etc. English, 17 cent. A locative name: "marsh". DBS. |
| Vanston | rare: Dublin etc. English. |
| Vaugh | rare: Belfast-Down. Ir. Mac a' Bheatha (see Mac Veagh). A name associated withLeitrim. It could also be an English name for which see Waugh. |
| Vavasour | rare: Dublin. English, "feudal tenant next a baron". DBS. |
| Venables | rare: Dublin etc. English, from place-name in France. |
| Vickers | Quite numerous: Wicklow, Dublin, Belfast etc. English, from the clerical office and probably signifying the vicar's servant, or even his son. DBS. |
| Vickery | fairly rare: Cork. English, a form of Vickers from Devon. In Cork 17 cent. |
| Villiers | rare: Armagh, Cork etc. English from French place-name. Associated with Limerick. |
| Vincent | Quite numerous: Belfast, Dublin etc. English, in Limerick 17 cent. |
| Vize | rare: Belfast area. English, "dweller by the boundary". Formerly in Limerick. |
| Vogan | fairly rare: Belfast-Portadown etc. Scottish (perhaps from English place-name). See also Wogan. |
| Vokes | fairly rare: Belfast area and scattered in south. English, variant of "folk", people. |
| Voss | Very rare: Cork. English, variant of Foss, locative, a ditch, bank. From Devon. DOS. |
| Vowles | Very rare: Down etc. English, variant of Fowles (bird). From Somerset. DOS. |
| Waddington | rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic from Yorks-Lancs. |
| Wadsworth | fairly rare: Belfast area. "Wade's home". An English toponymic from Yorkshire. |
| Wafer | Quite numerous: Wexford etc. An English name (maker of Eucharistic wafers) in Ireland 13 cent. Associated with Wexford 16 cent. MIF. |
| Wagstaff | rare: Wexford etc. English, "brandish weapon". DOS. |
| Wainwright | rare: Belfast area etc. English occupational name, "wagon-maker". |
| Wakefield | rare: Cork etc. English, "field for festival". DOS. |
| Wales | rare: Ballymoney (Antrim). English name meaning "foreign". The Welsh, for instance! |
| Walker | Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. English occupational, in cloth processing. |
| Walkington | rare: Belfast-Antrim. English toponymic. |
| Waller | Quite numerous: Louth-Meath, Limerick-Tipperary-Kerry. English, in Limerick 17 cent. SI. |
| Walley | fairly rare: Cork etc. English, from place-name in Lancashire. |
| Walpole | Quite numerous: Dromahair (Leitrim), Limerick and scattered. An English toponymic from Norfolk; in Ireland 18 cent. |
| Walters | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Dublin, South East, Limerick City. English from Norman first name. See also Mac Walter. |
| Walton | Quite numerous: E Ulster, Kilkenny etc. An English toponymic present in Ireland 13 cent. Notable in the person of E T S Walton, pioneer nuclear scientist and Nobel prizeman. |
| Wann | rare: Dublin. English epithet name, "pale". |
| Wansborough | rare: Dublin. Apparently an English toponymic. |
| Warburton | rare: Belfast area etc. English toponymic. This name was assumed by an Ó Mongáin of Tyrone, who subsequently became a bishop of the Church of Ireland. The family were associated with Offaly. MIF. |
| Wardell | rare: scattered. English toponymic, "vale of Wear". DOS. |
| Warden | Quite numerous: E Ulster. English occupational name, "guard". |
| Wardlow | fairly rare: Belfast, Dublin etc. English toponymic, "look-out hill". |
| Wardrop | rare: Dublin etc. English occupational, "wardrobe". |
| Ware | fairly rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English, 16 cent. Sir James Ware (1594-1666), the antiquarian, was born in Dublin. Also as Weir. MIF. |
| Warfield | rare: Dublin etc. English toponymic from Berkshire. |
| Warke | fairly numerous: Derry-N Antrim etc. English, from place in Northumbria. Associated with Derry and Donegal since 17 cent. |
| Warmington | rare: Belfast area, Armagh, Fermanagh. English, from various place-names. |
| Warner | fairly numerous: Munster, Galway, scattered in Ulster. An English name appearing in Cork in 17 cent. SI. |
| Warr | Very rare: Down. English, from the French de la Guerre, (Norman werre). Presumably a military man. Whence also the U.S. state of Delaware. |
| Warren | numerous: E Ulster, South East, Cork etc. Ir. Bharain generally but Ó Murnáin in S W Munster. Derivation of English name may be de la Varenne (French place-name). |
| Warrington | fairly rare: Fermanagh etc. English toponymic. |
| Warwick | fairly numerous: E Ulster. English toponymic. |
| Watchorn | Quite numerous: South East, especially Wexford. English locative, "guard-house". DOS. |
| Waterhouse | rare: Dublin etc. English locative, "house by the water". |
| Waterman | rare: Cork, Belfast. English, from Kent. DOS. |
| Waters | numerous: all areas, especially Midlands & Connacht. An English name appearing in 17 cent; but it also stands for a number of indigenous names: Ó Tuairisc, Ó Fuaruisce Ó h-Uarghuis, Mac Con Uisce. See also Coldwell. MIF & SGG. |
| Waterson | rare: Belfast area. A Scottish name, apparently toponymic. Also English, Walter's son. SS & DBS. |
| Waterworth | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Armagh etc. English, "water enclosure". |
| Watkins | fairly numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Derry etc. English, 17 cent. Dimin. of Walter. |
| Watson | Very numerous: all areas, particularly E Ulster, Derry. English, "Walter's son". The name is also Scottish and can stand for Mac Bhaididh, otherwise Mac Whattie. SI & SS. |
| Watton | Quite numerous: E Derry-N Antrim. English, from a number of place-names. DOS. |
| Way | rare: scattered. English locative, "road". DOS. |
| Weafer | Quite numerous: Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, "weaver". |
| Weatherall | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Armagh etc. English place-name from wether, a male sheep and halh, a nook or river-meadow. DOS. |
| Weatherhead | rare: Larne (Antrim) etc. English, "herder of wethers". |
| Weaver | rare: Derry, Down etc. English occupational name, mainly Midlands. |
| Webb | numerous: all areas, mainly Ulster. English occupational "weaver". Also as Weafer and Webster, q.v. |
| Weber | rare: Dublin, Cork etc. This is the German equivalent of Webber, also meaning "weaver". However, it may be a variant of the the English in some cases. |
| Wedlock | rare: Antrim etc. This name is unconnected with marriage! It is an English locative probably meaning "wide stream". DOS. |
| Weekes | Quite numerous: Antrim, Belfast etc in north; E Limerick, Wexford etc. in south. This English name is derived from wick, a home or hamlet (very like Irish baile) and it is associated with Devon. DOS. |
| Weldon | numerous: Dublin, Cork, Antrim, Midlands, Waterford etc. English who settled in Louth and Meath 14 cent. In 17 cent further settlers came to Midlands. Also as Veldon and Belton. Ir. de Béalatún and Ó Mhaoldúin (in Fermanagh). MIF & SGA. |
| Weller | rare: Belfast area. English, "dweller by the spring". |
| Wells | fairly numerous: E Ulster etc. An English name which is locative and toponymic; it has occurred in Ireland since 13 cent but the Ulster numbers indicate 17 cent settlemant. |
| Welsby | rare: Down etc. Probably an English toponymic. |
| Wensley | rare: Derry etc. English locative or toponymic. |
| West | numerous: Fermanagh and Ulster generally; scattered in south. An English nick-name. |
| Westby | rare: Sligo etc. English, "western farm". Places in Lancs etc. |
| Westlake | rare: Leinster,Down. English "west of lake". Occurs in Devon. |
| Westropp | Very rare: Limerick etc. An English toponymic associated with Limerick since 17 cent. Thomas J Westropp (1860-1922) was a noted antiquarian. IF. |
| Wetherall | rare: Belfast area, Dublin etc. English locative "nook for wethers". From Yorkshire. |
| Whalley | Quite numerous: Fermanagh, Belfast, scattered in south. English toponymic, "clearing by hill" and a place in Lancashire. DOS. |
| Wharton | Down, Limerick-Kerry etc. Ir. Ó h-Arrachtáin, arrachtach, mighty. The Irish name pertains to Munster. Otherwise an English toponymic. |
| Whateley | rare: Louth-Meath. English, from Wiltshire. |
| Wheatley | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Antrim, Midlands etc. English toponymic. DOS. |
| Wheeler | Quite numerous: Laois-Tipperary-Limerick-Kerry etc. An English occupational name, in Ireland 17 cent in Kilkenny and Laois. |
| Whiston | rare: Dublin, Belfast. The name is current in London - evidently an English toponymic. |
| Whitaker | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, Belfast. English, "white acre". In Drogheda 1305 and subsequently in Meath and Louth. See Whittaker. MIF. |
| Whitcroft | rare: E Ulster. An English locative name "wheat croft" from Devon. |
| White | Very numerous: all areas, E Ulster, Leinster, Limerick etc. Ir. de Faoite. An English nick-name, "fair" analogous to Irish bán, which it sometimes replaces. In Ireland 13 cent, they appear on Limerick Corporation in 1213. See also Whyte. IF. |
| Whitehead | Quite numerous: Down, South East etc. English nick-name. |
| Whitehouse | rare: Antrim, Cork etc. English locative name. |
| Whiteman | rare: Ulster generally. English, "fair man". |
| Whiteside | numerous: E Ulster, Derry, Fermanagh, Dublin etc. English, 17 cent. |
| Whitfield | rare: Dublin etc. English, from many place-names. |
| Whitley | Quite numerous: Belfast, Fermanagh-Cavan, Cork etc. An English toponymic associated with Fermanagh. |
| Whitmore | rare: Wexford-Carlow etc. English place-name "white moor". 17 cent in Wexford. |
| Whitney | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands etc. English toponymic known in Leinster 14 cent. The gaelicisation is de Fuitnigh. SI. |
| Whitson | rare: Dublin. English "son of White" |
| Whitten | fairly numerous: Belfast, Down-Armagh, Wexford etc. English toponymic, in Dublin 16 cent, later in Armagh. SI. |
| Whittendale | rare: Fermanagh. Presumably an English toponymic. |
| Whitters | rare: Derry, Down etc. Probably an English occupational name. |
| Whittle | Quite numerous: Waterford, Armagh-Down etc. An English toponymic in Waterford since mid-17 cent. SI. |
| Whitty | fairly numerous: South East, Louth etc. English, possibly witega, a wise man, prophet. A notable name in Wexford and adjacent areas since 14 cent. Ir. Mac Faoitigh. MIF. |
| Wickens | rare: Bangor (Down). English locative; See Wickham. |
| Wickham | fairly numerous: Wexford, Laois, Kilkenny etc. English from various place-names; in Ireland 14 cent. Latterly associated with Wexford. |
| Widdess | rare: Dublin etc. English, from either "widow" or "woodhouse". DBS. |
| Widger | fairly rare: South East etc. English, from Teutonic first name. DBS. |
| Wiggins | Quite numerous: Armagh, Fermanagh, Meath etc. English, from Breton first name. |
| Wightman | Quite numerous: Down etc. English nick-name, "strong man"; a similar name occurred in Scotland at an early date. DBS & SS. |
| Wilcock | Quite numerous: Dublin, Cork, Down etc. English, first name Wilcoc, dimin. of William. DOS. |
| Wilde | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Wexford. English, "dweller by wilderness". Noted in Limerick 13 cent. Later, a family from Durham settled in Mayo, 18 cent, whence Sir William Wilde and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). IF |
| Wilders | rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English nick-name, "wild animal". |
| Wiley | Quite numerous: Dublin, Mitchelstown (Cork), scattered in Ulster. English, from place-names; in Ulster 17 cent. A toponymic. See also Wylie. |
| Wilkes | fairly rare: Dublin etc. English, dimin. of William. |
| Wilkins | Quite numerous: scattered in Ulster, Dublin, Cork. The name may be Scottish or English but in any case, a diminutive of William. |
| Willoughby | Quite numerous: scattered in Ulster, Dublin, South East etc. English toponymic: "farm by the willows" from frequent place-names. Fairly common in England. |
| Wilmott | Quite numerous: scattered in Ulster, Limerick etc. English, dimin. of William. The name has been associated with Kerry since 1614. SI. |
| Wilson | Very numerous: predominently Ulster, also Dublin, Midlands & South East. Scottish & English, the most numerous such name in Ireland. Derived, of course, from William. It was a "principal name" in Antrim in 1659. Usually gaelicised Mac Liam. |
| Wilton | Quite numerous: Derry-Antrim, Cavan, Louth etc. An English locative name. |
| Wiltshire | rare: Dublin etc. Presumably from that English county. |
| Winchester | rare: Belfast etc in Ulster; W Cork. English, from the city in Hampshire, once a Roman camp. DOS. |
| Winders | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, "winder of yarn etc". |
| Windle | rare: W Limerick. English, "wind hill". In Limerick 17 cent. SI. |
| Windrum | rare: fairly rare: Belfast, Monaghan etc. English, "wind-shelter". DOS. |
| Windsor | rare: Midlands etc. English, from various places in S England. |
| Wingfield | rare: Waterford and scattered. English, "pasture ground". It is associated with Derby. DOS. |
| Winslow | rare: Fermanagh etc. English toponymic from Buckinghamshire. |
| Winstanley | rare: Belfast area, Dublin. English toponymic from Lancashire. |
| Winston | Quite numerous: Dublin, Roscommon-Galway. English, 16 cent in Waterford and later in Roscommon. SI. |
| Winters | numerous: Down-Armagh-Tyrone-Monaghan etc. In Tyrone, it may stand for an Gheimhridh, geimhreadh, winter. Further south, it is probably an English nick-name. DOS. |
| Winton | rare: Derry, Armagh. English toponymic. |
| Wisdom | rare: Dublin, Belfast. An English nick-name, but MacLysaght notes that it has been used for Ó Céile, for which see Kealy. |
| Wiseman | Quite numerous: Cork, Antrim, Meath etc. English, in Cork 16 cent. |
| Witherow | fairly rare: Derry-donegal etc. Seemingly English topnymic. |
| Withers | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Cork. English, "dweller by the willows". DBS. |
| Wixted | Quite numerous: Limerick-Tipperary-Clare etc. English, 17 cent in Tipperary. SI. |
| Wolfe | fairly numerous: mainly Cork and Dublin, also E Ulster. Ir. de Bhulbh. A common name in Teutonic countries and of obvious derivation. The usual English and American spelling. See also Woulfe. |
| Wolsey | fairly rare: Belfast area etc. English, from A.S. first name "wolf-victory". DBS. |
| Woodburn | E Ulster, Cavan, Wexford etc. English locative, "stream in wood". |
| Woodcock | Quite numerous: Antrim, Dublin, Kilkenny. English nick-name. In Kilkenny 17 cent. SI. |
| Woodfull | rare: Dublin. English, "wood fowl". |
| Woodgates | rare: Kilkenny etc. English locative name. |
| Woodhouse | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands, scattered in Ulster. Various English place-names. |
| Woodrofe | rare: Kilkenny-Tipperary. English: woodruff is a sweet-smelling plant - whence a pleasant nick-name. DOS. |
| Woods | Very numerous: all areas, mainly Ulster. The name is English but it may stand for: Mac Giolla Choille, Mac Conchoille, Ó Caoilte, Ó Cuill, Mac Uilliméid. The first two belong to Ulster, the third and fourth to Munster and the last to the Midlands. However a substantial number of Woods are of English origin. SI. |
| Woodward | Quite numerous: E Ulster etc. English, "forester". |
| Woolington | rare: Wicklow etc. Probably English toponymic. |
| Woolley | fairly rare: Galway-Mayo, scattered in Ulster. Ir. ? Ó Fuallaigh, Ó h-Uallaigh. Not to be confused with Whooley of W Cork, q.v. An English name also exists and may be present in Ulster. |
| Woolworth | rare: Dublin etc. English, "wood homestead". |
| Wooton | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast. English, from various place-names. DOS. |
| Workman | fairly numerous: Antrim etc. English, "builder". DOS. |
| Worral | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast etc. English, place-name in W Yorkshire. |
| Worth | rare: Belfast. English locative "enclosure". |
| Worthington | Quite numerous: Antrim etc. English toponymic from various place-names. |
| Worthley | fairly rare: Down-Armagh. English, "field with vegetables". |
| Wray | numerous: Derry-Tyrone and Ulster generally. English settlers from Yorkshire in 16 cent; a locative name, it may stand, in some cases, for Rea, q.v. |
| Wrenn | Quite numerous: Kerry-Limerick-Cork etc. Ir. Ó Rinn, from reann, a spear. Mainly a Cork family known there as Ring, q.v. There was an English family of the name in N Kerry. |
| Wyatt | fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast. English first name synonymous with Guy. |
| Wycherley | rare: Cork. English locative based on "wick" = hamlet. |
| Wylie | numerous: mainly Ulster, also Dublin, Midlands. English, 17 cent in Ulster. |
| Yates | fairly rare: Dublin, N Antrim, Down etc. An English name analogous to Gates; in Ireland in 17 cent. See also Yeats. Ir. de Gheata. SGA. |
| Yelverton | rare: Limerick. An English toponymic, perhaps "elder-ford place". DOS. |
| Yeomans | rare: Dublin etc. English occupational name : a small free-holder, a servant. |
| Yorke | Quite numerous: Belfast, Antrim, Midlands, Cork etc. An English name in Ulster but an anglicisation of Mac Conchearca in W Midlands etc. Derivation "hound of Cearc", a place-name. SGG. |
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