Irish Gaelic Names

The map shows the origin of Irish Gaelic Names from the 16th Century

Top 10 List of Irish Gaelic Family Names
The following list of the top ten Irish Gaelic family Names found in Ireland today including the Irish Gaelic translation of the surname:

• Walsh (Breathnach)

• O'Brien (Ó Briain)

• O'Connor (Ó Conchobhair)

• Byrne (Ó Broin)

• O'Reilly (Ó Raghailligh)

• Murphy (Ó Murchadha)

• Kelly (Ó Ceallaigh)

• O'Sullivan (Ó Súilleabháin)

• Kinsella (Ó Cinnseallaigh)

• O'Neill (Ó Néill)

Irish Gaelic Family Names- Prefixes
Irish Gaelic Names commonly have a prefix, the following are the most common prefixes for Irish Gaelic Names:

• Mór - Big

• Óg  - Young

• O - Grandson

• Mac - Son

• Fitz - Son

Top 10 List of Female Irish Gaelic Names
The following list of the top ten Female Gaelic Names found in Ireland today including the pronunciation of the name:

• Caoimhe (Kee-Vah)

• Aoife (Ee-Fa)

• Ava (Arr-va)

• Aising (Ash-Ling)

• Saoirse (Seer-Sha)

• Niamh (Ne-eve)

• Roisin (Rosh-een)

• Clodagh (Cloo-Dah)

• Aine (Ann-Ya)

• Ciara (Keer-ra)

Top 10 List of Irish Gaelic Boy Names
The following list of the top ten Irish Gaelic boy names found in Ireland today including the pronunciation of the name:

• Oisin (Osh-een)

• Cian (Kee-an)

• Daragh (Da-ra)

• Daithi (Doth-ee)

• Odhran (Or-ann)

• Ruairi (Roar-ree)

• Eoin (Owe-ann)

• Tadhg (Tai-G)

• Fionn (Finn)

• Ciaran (Keer-ann)

Irish Gaelic Names - Girls Naming Convention
Traditionally the following protocol was used to name female members of the family but more often nowadays, the name is used as a middle name instead of a first name:

• The First born daughter is named after the maternal grandmother (mother’s mother)
  

• The Second daughter is named after the paternal grandmother (father’s mother)
  

• The Third daughter is named after the mother
  

• The Fourth daughter is named after her mother’s oldest sister (Aunt)
  

• Subsequent children can be named as the parent pleases!

Irish Gaelic Names - Boys Naming Convention
Traditionally the following protocol was used to name male members of the family but more often nowadays, the name is used as a middle name instead of a first name:

• The First born son is named after the paternal grandfather (father's father)
  

• The Second son is named after the maternal grandfather (mother's father)
  

• The Third son is named after the father
  

• The Fourth son is named after her father's oldest brother (Uncle)
  

• Subsequent male children can be named as the parent pleases!

Irish Gaelic Names- Names of Provinces
The island of Ireland is comprises four provinces or cúigí as they are known in Gaelic. The Gaelic name for province is cúige which translates to one-fifth! Originally Ireland was in fact made up of five provinces. The county of Meath was in fact a province of its own as it was the seat of the High King of Ireland. Meath is now part of Leinster and has been split into the counties of Meath and Westmeath.

• Connaught - The name means "the descendants of Conn".
  The Gaelic name for Connaught is Cúige Chonnacht

• Irish Gaelic family names that originate from Connaught include: O'Kirwan, MacJordan, O'Malley, O'Reilly, O'Rourke, O'Hart, O'Hara, O'Madden and O'Kelly
  

Flag of the Irish Province of Connaught

• Munster - The name means "Land of Mumha"
  The Gaelic name for Munster is Mhumhain or Cúige Mumhan

• Irish Gaelic family names that originate from Munster include: O'Keefe, O'Callaghan, O'Donoughue, MacCarthy, Muskerry, Fitzgerald, O'Mulryan and Brennan
  
  

Flag of the Irish Province of Munster

• Leinster - The name means "Land of the Laighin"
  The Gaelic name for Leinster is Laighin or Cúige Laighean

• Irish Gaelic family names that originate from Leinster include: O'More, O'Tooles, O'Kennedy, O'Carrol, O'Conor, Butlers, Walshes and Dillons
  

Flag of the Irish Province of Leinster

• Ulster - The name means "land of the Ulaidh"
  The Gaelic name for Ulster is Ulaidh or Cúige Uladh

• Irish Gaelic family names that originate from Ulster include: O'Boyle, MacSweeney, O'Donnell, O'Dogherty, MacDonnells, O'Neill, MacMahon, O'Cahan
  

Flag of the Irish Province of Ulster