Last names meaning

Discover more about your Last names meaning which gives you a sense of identity and helps to answer the question how do i find my family and where are they from.

The commentary below gives a small random selection of names . It is estimated there are over 3,500 surnames in Ireland so many large databases have grown to cater for them . One such website where you can go to find out more is Ancestry.co.uk which offers a search facility. 

Search Ancestry.co.uk records now!

Here are a random selection of some popular Irish surnames here and a little about there last names meaning.

 (source of information included the 1890 Matheson Report on surnames in Ireland)


Brennan

One of Ireland's most frequent surnames Brennan derives from one of three Irish personal names: Ó Braonáin, from braon, probably meaning "sorrow," and Mac Branáin and Ó Branáin, both from bran, meaning "raven."

Brown or Browne

Brown is generally a descriptive surname referring to the color of the individual's complexion, color of hair, or garments.

Campbell

"Crooked or wry mouth," often used to describe a man whose mouth inclined a little on one side. 

Another possible derivation of the Campbell surname comes from Mac Cathmhaoil, meaning "son of the battle chieftain."

Doherty

From the word "dochartach" meaning 'obstructive.' 

Johnson

Johnson is an English patronymic name meaning "son of John (gift of God).

Martin

Martin is a patronymic surname taken from the ancient Latin given name Martinus, derived from Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war.

Moore

Moore is a common surname with several possible origins:

One who lived at or near a moor or marshy bog

From the Old French, meaning son of Moor, a dark-complexioned man

From "Mor," great, chief, mighty, proud

Derived from the given name "Maurus," meaning "dark skinned."

Murray

1- A name given to a man from the region in Scotland, called Moray, which means "by the sea."

2- Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Muireadhaigh."

Smith

Derived from the Anglo-Saxon "smitan," to smite or strike, Smith and its derivations are an occupational name for a man who works with metal (smith or blacksmith), one of the earliest jobs for which specialist skills were required.

Thompson

Thompson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of the man known as Thom, Thomp, Thompkin, or other diminutive form of Thomas (twin)."






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