famous irish traveller names

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The Picture Show

Daily picture show, documenting the irish travellers: a nomadic culture of yore.

Lauren Rock

Throughout my life I have regularly traveled to my mother's home city of Dublin. During these trips I would regularly see groups of people living in caravans on the sides of the road, and I always wondered who they were and what their lives were like.

I later found out they belonged to a small ethnic minority called "Travellers" — nomads who spend most of their life, literally on the road. While their history has been hard to document — they have no written records — they are thought to have separated from the settled Irish community at least 1,000 years ago.

The Travellers (until recently also called "tinkers" or "gypsies") often live in ad hoc encampments, in direct contrast to "settled" people in Ireland. They are thought to be descended from a group of nomadic craftsman, with the name "tinker" a reference to the sound of a hammer hitting an anvil. (The reference is now considered derogatory.)

In 1965 Dublin-born photographer Alen MacWeeney stumbled across a Travellers' encampment and became fascinated with their way of life. He spent the next six years making photographs and recording their stories and music. Despite shooting the photos in the late '60s, it wasn't until 2007 that he found a publisher for his work.

Bernie Ward, Cherry Orchard Courtesy of Alen MacWeeney hide caption

Bernie Ward, Cherry Orchard

In his book, Irish Travellers: Tinkers No More — which also comes with a CD of Traveller music recordings — MacWeeny shows us a gritty, intimate portrait of the people he eventually came to call friends. He compares the Travellers to the migrant farmers of the American Depression: "poor, white, and dispossessed."

"Theirs was a bigger way of life than mine, with its daily struggle for survival, compared to my struggle to find images symbolic and representative of that life," he said in his book.

MacWeeney got his start at age 20 as an assistant for Richard Avedon in Paris and has since made a career as a portrait and fashion photographer. But his images of the Travellers reveal a raw and intimate side to his work.

"Traveller families have always been very close-knit, held together in a tight unspoken knot, with lifelong bonds and sometimes varying a lifelong set of troubles," he said.

Today, however, the Traveller lifestyle has changed dramatically from even a few decades ago. Many have embraced modern culture and become "settled," no longer living apart from the mainstream. There is even a reality TV show, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding , which showcases Traveller girls and their theatrical, over-the-top weddings.

But MacWeeney believes that the Travellers are "reluctant as settled and envy the other life of travelling." His book stands as a document of an era, and a way of life that is slowly fading into the past.

• PHOTOGRAPHY

Life With the Irish Travellers Reveals a Bygone World

One photographer spent four years gaining unprecedented access to this close-knit community.

When Birte Kaufmann first encountered Irish Travellers, she was on a trip with friends in the Irish countryside and saw a girl and her little brother running toward a roadside camp. The caravans and horses reminded Kaufmannn, who is German, of the Romany camps she had seen elsewhere in Europe, but the people looked intriguingly different.

Who were they, she wondered, and how could she delve deeper into their culture?

"People said, You'll never get an insight into that community—forget about it," Kaufmann recalls of sharing with Irish friends her burgeoning plans to photograph the close-knit Travellers.

An ethnic minority in Ireland , the Travellers have lived on the margins of mainstream Irish society for centuries. Efforts have been made to incorporate the nomadic group into mainstream culture by settling them into government housing and enforcing school attendance. But even living among "settled people," they face ongoing discrimination.

Kaufmann describes theirs as a parallel world, where deeply-rooted gender roles and an itinerant lifestyle have kept them apart from the broader Irish community even as their freedom to roam has become increasingly curtailed.

To gain access to the community, Kaufmann first attempted to engage through human rights groups that work with them—to no avail. So she decided to do it "the hard way," she says. She had heard about a “halting site”—walled areas on the outskirts of large towns that contain houses as well as spaces for caravan parking—and on her next trip to Ireland, she simply showed up.

She was met by barking dogs, one of which bit her. A young woman approached, speaking English with an accent so thick that Kaufmann had trouble comprehending. Undeterred, she decided to lay her cards on the table. "I was really honest. I told [her] I was coming from Germany , where we don't have our own traveling community, [that] I knew who they were and was interested in how [they live]," Kaufmann recalls.

The young woman "was totally surprised, but finally they invited me for a cup of tea. I was sitting in a caravan with her grandfather. I asked them if I could come back and stay with them." Kaufmann says they chortled, as if to say, Yeah, right.

When she next returned from Germany, it was with a camper van of her own, so that she could stay alongside the extended family clan that would become the focus of her project. "I knew it was a high risk," she says, “but I gave them some pictures I had taken in the caravan of the grandfather. And they said, 'Ok. Now you're here. We have the images. One cup of tea. Now go. We are busy.'"

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As a photographer, and especially as a woman, Kaufmann was something of a novelty given the strictly defined gender roles of the Traveller community—men tend to the horses and livestock, women to home and family. Girls marry young and only with the blessing of their parents. Men don’t typically speak to women in public.

She slowly gained their trust to the point that one of the family members—a young mother who took a particular shine to her and was perhaps even amused at her struggle to understand what they were saying—began teaching her Gammon, their unwritten language.

"She tried to teach me words to say if the guys are being rude," she says. "And then the father started telling me what I should say. [They] tried to make me feel more comfortable." Her knowledge of words selectively and seldom shared with outsiders demonstrated to other Travellers that one of their own had trusted her enough to share.

And in turn, understanding how they communicate with each other helped her get past the sense of feeling unwelcome and deepened her appreciation of their differences. "At first [the talk] sounds really rough," she says. "Then there was this point at which I realized it was their language. They don't really call anyone by name. It's 'the woman over there,' 'the man over there,' 'the child,'" she explains. "It's not personal, [but] at first it sounds very rude.”

Kaufmann made multiple visits to the family over the course of four years, eventually living with them. The men gradually accepted her and allowed her to photograph them hunting and trading horses at a fair. She was able to blend into the background and photograph them as an unobtrusive observer of their everyday lives—lives, she says, that are filled with a lot of idle time. As Ireland becomes less agrarian, the Travellers’ traditional work as horse traders, farm laborers, tinsmiths, and entertainers has become more scarce.

"The older generations can't read or write," Kaufmann says, "but they have their own intelligence. On the one hand life was so sad and boring because everything their lives were stemming from wasn't there anymore. On the other hand there was this freedom—they live their lives in their own way."

And then, she says, she found herself taking no photographs at all. "One of the boys who really didn't like to be photographed said, 'Do you know what's really strange with Birte now? She's here and she's not really photographing anymore.'"

And that's when she knew her project was done.

Birte Kaufmann's project on the Travellers is now available as a book . You may also see more of Birte Kaufmann's photographs on her website .

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Travellers and family history

By Fiona Fitzsimons

Above: Tea time at a Traveller encampment c. 1954. Through an interdisciplinary study of medical genetics, family history and surnames, it should be possible to recover Traveller history in the century and a half before large-scale settlement in the 1950s. (NLI)

From the point of view of this writer, probably the most interesting research finding was the correlation between distinct ethnic groups and cultural practises—whether Gammon- or Cant-speakers, or members of the Rathkeale group. Once you begin to tease out the implications, it raises even more questions. We are left with the puzzle of how to begin to describe who Irish Travellers are, when before 1950 there is a lack of documentary evidence. Family history can step into the breach. It’s a robust methodology in which every fact or statement is corroborated by comparing one document against another, to prove a connection or relationship.

Better on-line access to the records means that we can trace almost every Irish family back to the 1820s. Researchers should start with the ‘catch-all’ sources that include Irish people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds: parish registers; the census; petty sessions courts; newspapers; and civil records—births, marriages and deaths are now searchable by father’s occupation/mother’s maiden name/or place of birth, on Findmypast.

Even when we are familiar with sources that don’t require much interpretation, finding Irish Travellers requires some lateral thinking. The 1901 and 1911 censuses record Travellers but not as an ethnic group, nor by their language of Shelta or its dialects. In the census we find Travellers living on the side of the road; these are clearly identifiable. Less visible are those Travellers recorded as boarders and lodgers, named as proprietors of houses and smallholdings, as soldiers in army barracks, patients in hospitals or inmates in workhouses and prisons. In some instances we can use specific occupations to define a cohort: tin-smithing is a traditional occupation, for example. In 1901 we find 13,200 tin-smiths/tin-men/tinkers, etc.

Where we are searching for a known family name, we can cross-reference against an occupation to deduce whether we have the correct family—Berry/horse-dealers, Gammell/pedlars—but many traditional occupations (seasonal labourer or farmer) can obscure Traveller origins where there is no other corroborative evidence. We find three generations of the extended McDonagh family in the townland of Knockarasser, Co. Galway. Are they country people, settled Travellers or a Traveller family in temporary accommodation over winter? To overcome these problems, research should be Traveller-led and should include a dedicated surname project.

The gold-standard research project to document Irish Travellers would be an interdisciplinary study of medical genetics, family history and surnames. We might then recover Traveller history in the century and a half before large-scale settlement from the 1950s.

Fiona Fitzsimons is a director of Eneclann, a Trinity campus company, and of findmypast Ireland.

Personal Histories

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Welcome to Meath Travellers Workshops

1953 names by locality, traveller surnames by locality, 1953 schools questionnaire.

This research was made possible by a generous grant from the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Volume I: MUNSTER/LEINSTER

Co.Cork (14 entries, 1 of which names no families) 1. Kilbrittan (list compiled at ICA meeting, Kilbrittan Guild, March 1953) Surname “Winter Quarters”

O’Driscoll Skibbereen

Sheridan, Ryan Limerick, also give specific camp locations in

Bantry, Bandon and Dunmanway

Purcell (?)

O’Callaghan and Foley Bandon

(NOTE that some families are mentioned in tandem, as closely associated).

2. Baile na Caisleán

(others illegible)

3. Skibbereen

4. [none named]

5. Dunhallow, Knocknagree

Houligan [sic!]

7. Liscarroll

9. Knockraha

10. Gleann na Phreacháin (GnP)

Butler and with the latter [sic] a section of the So-hos [sic]. Both of these hail from Tipperary.”

11. Barra Mór (BM)

Driscoll Both “confined to Co. Cork” and particularly

McCarthy East and Mid Cork

Hogan In Cork City. Visiting from Limerick. also found in W. Waterford (= bordering with Co. Cork)

12. Rathcormac

Driscoll Most numerous. E & Mid-Cork

Leary Cork City

Hogan Tallow, W Waterford

13. Castletownroche

(Writer originally from Ennis Co. Clare)

All 3 intermarried/related, mostly “settled” around this locality. Also Sheridan

(Note: “comparatively recently” a man named Jenkins married into the Gradys.)

Re: Ennis (from memory)

Ward from Co. Galway, tinsmiths

Casey from SE Clare/Limerick, tinsmiths

Sheridan originally from Westmeath. Biggest group. Horse doctors

Second hand information from named informants:

Ward, Sheridan Tuam, Co.Galway

Coffee, Harrington, McCarthy, Ford Killarney

14. Millstreet

Sheridan (wife née Hegarty)

Cork summary

Total 20 names. O’Driscoll and Sheridan are in joint first place at 8 mentions each; McCarthy in second place with five; Coffey and O’Brien get three each; 4 other names ( Butler, Flynn, Hogan and Quilligan) are each mentioned twice and the remaining 12 names are all one-offs.

Co.Kerry (9 entries, 1 of which names no families)

1. Corca Duibhne

Coffey “local” respondent also “knows of” Sheridans “hailing from” Limerick – presumably occasional visitors.

2. Corca Duibhne again

Coffey “dream tincéirí” (literally, “a crowd of tinkers” – occupational description)

Sheridan deal in horses

O’Brien and Flynn Tralee is “headquarters” for these 2 families

Coffey Dingle peninsula

Sheridan base = Abbeyfeale Co. Limerick. An“offshoot” make Tralee their HQ. Sheridans’ Glen just outside Castleisland attests Kerry presence ( Sheridan = exclusively Traveller name in Kerry).

Coffey and O’Brien

Carthy Shows up in an anecdote from years past

5. Kilorglin

6. Kenmare No permanent presence. No surnames given.

7. Rathmore

O’Driscoll aka Brien’s O’Driscoll

8. Killarney

9. Scartaglin

O’Brien and Sheridan both Limerick, come to Kerry for fairs

Kerry summary

Total 8 surnames. Coffey – mentioned by every informant who names even one family for the county – is dominant, withSheridan and O’Brien joint second with four mentions each. The remaining 5 surnames are all one-offs.

Co.Limerick (3 entries)

1. Newcastle

O’Brien, Coffee West Limerick, North Cork, Newmarket

Sheridan Rathkeale = HQ

McDonagh Visit from Galway & Mayo

Quilligan, Reilly, Hourigan, Carty, Gammel Croom is their “domain”

Flynn No venue

Donoghue No venue

Casey No venue

Sheridan No venue

O’Brien Mostly West Limerick, North Kerry

Faulkner Clare. Also frequent Limerick and Kerry

Doherty, Harty East Limerick

McCarthy Insists 2 quite separate families by this name

Whelan “a shady lot” backed by anecdote from “50 years ago, just”

Sullivan Coconut Shy at Fairs

Só-hó A branch of the Donoghues. “have long frequented this district.”

Sheridan Rathkeale

Donoghue, Ward, Driscoll pass through

Gammel family lives at Bruff

FROM MEMORY: NAVAN 50 YEARS EARLIER (turn of century; 76 year old informant moved from Navan to Limerick 50 years ago):

Walsh Mrs Walsh was née Kane

Limerick summary

Total 21 surnames, Sheridan the only one mentioned by all three informants. Donoghue, Gammell, and O’Brien are mentioned twice, as is (Mc) Cart(h)y – with one informant insisting that there are two distinct families bearing this name. The remaining 16 surnames are all one-offs.

Note that, while two of the three link the Sheridans to Rathkeale, no list was submitted from that town.

The informant who describes the Só-hós as a branch of the Donoghues mentions the Donoghues separately.

Co.Clare (8 entries)

1. Ennistymon

Carthy, Casey, Sherlock, Molloy Local and seem to have originated locally

Ward Galway

Faulkiner [sic]

Sheridan horsedealers

Sherlock natives of Ennistymon [see above Ennistymon agrees!]

McDonagh have recently begin to intermarry, are gaining ground

3. Cartloe, Bunratty

Sheridan “of Rathkeale”

4. Cape Caitlin, Bunratty

Delaney Frequent the area. “really family traders”

Carthy, Casey, Faulkner/Fortner [sic] Kilrush

McDonagh Galway, but frequent Clare

No resident Traveller families

McInenerney

Lawrence From Connaught. wife née Caughlan “who belonged to a tribe of itinerant tinkers”

Faulkner “the Faulkners of Kilrush”

6. Kilmacduane

Carthy, Casey, Cash “Clonmel is regarded as the home of all three”

7. Kildisart

Carty, Casey, Fortner (sic) Local

8. Cuil Min, Ennis

Cathasaigh [= Casey]

Ó Dubhshláine [= Delaney]

Faulkner [in English in original]

Clare analysis

Total 16 surnames. Casey, mentioned in all 8 entries, is in first place, with Cart(h)y (7 out of 8) a close second. Faulkner (with variant forms Faulkiner and Fortner) is mentioned 5 times. Delaney, McDonagh, Sheridan and Sherlock get two mentions each and the remaining 9 names are all one-offs. Note that several families are claimed as “local”.

Co.Tipperary (8 entries)

1. Kilnamanagh

McCarthy “changed by local [sic] people to Carty”; intermarries with Donoghue

Donoghue intermarries with McCarthy/Carty

Carty “several Carty families of uncertain relationship” [note, again, insistence that this surname is internally subdivided]

Carty The only Traveller family in the district

Soho Used locally as generic synonym for “tinker”

Carty Always fight with the Reillys

Reilly Always fight with the Cartys

McInerney Former local king [of Travellers]

Ó Tuathaigh [Twohey] “an tsloinne is flúisí orthu” (= the most common surname among them]

MacCarthy “the tinkers of Cashel, Fethard and Killenaule are all MacCarthys”

VISITING FAMILIES

Delaney Carrick on Suir

Cawley Roscrea

Donoghue Galway

O’Connor Wexford

Reilly Carrick on Suir

McCarthy “ Cashel City is known as the headquarters of the McCarthy tinkers. There are many families of them here.”

O’Brien, O’Reilly, Delaney Cawley Visiting

8. Gabailín, Cill Fiacla

Carty “Thirty to forty years ago the principal groups [plural!] of tinkers that frequented the district were the Cartys, of which there were two or three different families.”

Reilly Currently common. “There are two groups of Reillys.”

Donoghue Currently common

Sheridan, Delaney, Doyle, McInerney Less frequent visitors

Cawley From Roscommon

Tipperary analysis

Total 13 surnames. (Mc) Carthy, mentioned in seven of the eight Tipperary entries, is most widespread in this county. Delaney is in second place with five mentions; Reilly gets four; Donoghue and Cawley three each, Connors, McInerney and O’Brien two each. The remaining five are one-offs. They include Ó Tuathaigh [Twohey], mentioned exclusively in Nenagh but identified as the biggest family there.

Several entries note that the surname “(Mc)Cart(h)y” is borne by several quite different families, and one says the same for Reilly. The Carthys are linked with both the Donoghues and the Reillys.

While the (Mc)Cart(h)ys are strongly associated with specific places in the county, other families are identified as visitors, including from other counties.

Co.Waterford

(Two entries, only one of which lists surnames. It is in Irish, and semi-legible)

1. Cill Gobnait

Dúlaidigh ? (Daly)

hÓgúnoug? (Hogan)

2. Grange Park

No names given

Co.Kildare (3 entries)

1. Kilcullen

Cash, Ward “visit this area”

2. Allen(wood)

3. Monasterevin (note: this entry is misfiled between Meath and Laois sections)

Kildare analysis

Ten surnames mentioned: Cash and Delaney twice each, the remainder one-offs.

Co.Wicklow (3 entries)

1. Tinahealy(informant born 1872, aged 81 in 1953)

Malone “settled in this country 70 years ago”

Cash, Donovan, Murphy

2. [Location in Wicklow unclear]

3. [Location in Wicklow unclear]

Cash, Connors, Brien

Wicklow Analysis

The three entries mention a total of 6 names, all of them one-offs except Cash, noted by all three.

Co.Wexford (3 entries)

O’Connors, O’Brien, Berry

2. [Location in Wexford unclear]

Brien, Cash, Connors, Kelly, Berry, Scott

3. Baile Fada

Wexford analysis

Berry, (O’) Brien and (O’) Connor(s) are listed by all three entries, and Cash by two. Two of the remaining three “one off” surnames (Kelly and Scott) are not mentioned by any other contributor to the 1953 survey.

*********************

Co.Meath (3 entries)

Teelin Ballymadun

Donovan Ballymadun

Dolan Milltown

Joyce Curraha and Kilmoon

This informant knew McDonaghs in Leitrim, ca. 1912.

Murray “best known tinker family”

Stokes Tinkers. Mullagh Co. Cavan is their base.

This informant gives the following definitions:

tramps are walking people who beg for alms tinkers travel on carts gypsies travel in caravans

p 383 tells the story of the Murphys: the father was a livestock dealer. Both sons learnt tinsmithing, the three traveled and worked together. Have bought a cottage but not yet moved in. No mention of the mother, wives, or anybody’s age.

p 384 contrasts tinkers who “seldom cause trouble” with “non-tinker tribes” – not named!! – “who are a constant danger to property.”

Meath analysis

Eight surnames, with a ninth, McDonagh, mentioned as occurring in a different county decades earlier (but not, at the time, in Meath). The (O’)Donovans and Joyces are mentioned twice each. The Murray surname, however common in Kells at the time, was very localised, being mentioned in only one other entry (from neighbouring Cavan).

Co.Laois (1 entry, exact location unclear)

O’Reilly Rathangan

McInerney/Kinearney

Hutchinson “specialise in chimney sweeping”

Co.Carlow (1 entry, exact location unclear)

Co.Westmeath (5 entries)

[Location in Westmeath unclear; describes “areas in which these families operate” as “Meath, Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Cavan and up towards the North” without subdividing]

Keena [sic]*

* another Westmeath entry also lists “Keena”, so this is probably not a misprint for “Keenan”, a surname not mentioned even once in the 1953 data

2. Rathconrath

Nevins Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon

Joyce Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon

(“fierce battles” fought between Nevinses and Joyces at Umma 2 years ago)

Gavan, Powers Longford Mayo Sligo

3. Rathcoon

Gavin Mullingar

Keena [sic] Mullingar

Rhatigan Mullingar

Stokes Grandard

Hanafin Grandard

Powers Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule, Athlone

Donohue Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule, Athlone

Leary Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule, Athlone

Casey Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule, Athlone

Casey “from the south”

Joyce one of the 3 “best known clans” “West of the Shannon”. are “said to have come off a wrecked ship”

McDonagh one of the 3 “best known clans” “West of the Shannon”

Ward one of the 3 “best known clans” “West of the Shannon”

Hanafin from Kerry

Power from Waterford. one married a Ward and settled at Strokestown Co. Roscommon; the Powers there descend from him.

O’Leary Limerick chimneysweeps. intermarry with O’Donoghues

O’Donoghue chimneysweeps, intermarry with O’Learys. “about 4 generations back” came from Killoe Co. Longford – evicted. gives details re founding father William.

The following are all local to the Longford-Westmeath-Offaly-Roscommon area, with Ballinasloe their Western limit:

Gavin “sometimes”

Rhatigan “sometimes”

QUOTE: “They are locally called ‘tinkers’. If they have a good number of waggons or caravans, they are ‘gipsies’. Tramps, travellers [sic], beggars always refer to single individuals. We speak of ‘ a beggarman’, ‘beggar-woman’, ‘travelling-man’, ‘tramp-man’, but always ‘the tinkers’.” [In other words, ethnic Travellers are seen as collective, while dropouts are seen as individuals.]

5. Kilbeggan

Rhattigan most common

Westmeath analysis

Only one of the five entries for the County Westmeath confines itself to that county. The remainder treat the midlands as a single region within which named Traveller families (some “from” other areas, e.g. the West) “operate”. Of the 26 surnames noted, Gavin/Gavan is the only one listed in all five entries, with Joyce, Power(s), Rhattigan and Ward each mentioned four times, Nevins three, and a further seven surnames (Keena – and not, nota bene, Keenan – Casey, Donohue, Hanafin, Leary, McDonagh and Stokes) with two mentions each The remaining 13 names, including some unusual ones like King and West, are one-offs .

Co.Longford (2 entries)

1. Ballycloughhan

prevailing names:

Hannaford “a [sic] travelling horse dealer” – an individual, but called a tinker.

Crowley an individual tramp

Brody tells story of local man John Brody who, while stationed elsewhere in Ireland with the Irish army, married a tinker girl. His family disowned him so he moved in with her people and still frequents the area. No indication of his age, how long married, or if they’d any family. This surame does not appear to have become established.

2. [unclear where in Co. Longford]

Hannify [sic] winter in Ballymahon; name twice mentioned, and spelled this way both times.

O’Leary winter in Ballymahon

McDonagh winter in Ballymahon

Joyce winter in [Albtons?] – different place, anyway

Ward travel widely especially to the West. Much rivalry with Nevinses.

Nevins much rivalry with Wards

Longford analysis

Twelve surnames are listed but three of these are attributed to individual non-Traveller men, only one of whom “married in”. Joyce and O’Leary are the only surnames mentioned in both entries. The Wards and Nevinses are associated through mutual rivalry.

Co.Offaly (2 entries, only one of which lists surnames)

1. Coolestown– no names given

2. Clonmacnoise

(This is the sole entry in which the surname ”Green” is listed.)

Volume II: CONNACHT/ULSTER

Co. Galway (8 entries)

1. [location in Co. Galway unclear]

Mongans local group

Ward local group

McDonagh local group

Smith Protestant group

2. [informant resides Moate Co. Westmeath, writing re: in Co. Galway]

3. Driseacheán

Maughan but they are known locally as “Cléirigheas” (Clearys)

4. Ballinasloe

Ward most common

McDonagh sometimes

5. Ballinasloe (again)

Ward most numerous. married in with Cawleys, Maughans. “Wards and Maughans fight”

Donovan less frequent

Lynch less frequent

Birmingham less frequent

6. [location in Co. Galway unclear]

Ward tinkers

Maughan tinkers

Mannion “keep to much smaller areas than tinkers” – typically 15 mile radius of Tuam. no indication of why they’re separate from “tinkers”

Delaney ditto re Mannions

Sheridan Gypsies. visit in summer in connection with local fair or en route to Galway races.

7. Ballymoe

8. [location in Co. Galway unclear]

Cashman or Cash “The Piper” well known in Connemara. Large- scale buyer of donkeys and ponies (up to 80 at a time) to be sold in Leinster – not, therefore, solely a musician, despite the nickname.

Galway analysis

Fourteen surnames noted, with Ward (six mentions), Maughan (four) and McDonaghs (three) the most widespread, and another two (Mongans and Furey) with two mentions each. The remaining nine are one-offs. Note that the Ballymoe respondent lists three names followed by “etc.”, and that the Sheridans are classed as “Gypsies” while the Smiths – identified as Protestants – are not. The Wards are noted as intermarrying with the Cawleys and Maughans, but as fighting only with the latter.

(9 entries, 3 of them unclear, + 2 references in local newspaper, 1952)

1. Louisburgh

Barrett “Taffy” Barrett (who made and sold taffy at fairs) was not properly a tinker at all but the son of landless peasants who married a tinker (her name not given).

Maughan main Mayo name

Sheridan “of late”

Delaney “of late”

Coffey “of late”

2. Ballyhaunis(all named groups present within a 10-mile radius of Ballyhaunis) Ward oldest group and best known locally, for generations.

[Castlebar district court Connaught Telegraph 21 June 1952 covers a Collins arson case – son accused of burning out his own father.]

3. [location in Mayo unclear]

4. Baile Gaelach

5. Mayo/Galway (3 parishes, border area)

Mochan [sic]

Warde [sic]

Collins “sometimes frequent this area”

McDonagh “sometimes frequent this area”

Mochans and Wardes “travel roughly from Galway city, Tuam, Ballinrobe, Rilmaine, Hollymount, Claremorris, nearly an area of 50 miles. They don’t seem to appreciate any other clans. If such come there is an odd row. But as a rule the strangers move off.”

6. Balllinrobe

“These are called tinkers and are regarded as distinct from Gypsies [sic] who are often dealers in horses and make wickerwork articles.” [but no surnames given!]

[Ballinrobe: Connaught Telegraph June 28 1952 re two Cleary brothers from Ballinrobe.]

7. Ballina(99 year old informant – born a decade after the beginning of the Famine!)

[text in Irish but gives Traveller surnames as Béarla, implying that this is the version by which they are known ]

He observes: “Na tincéirí a thigeanns chun an cheannntar seo sí an béarla an teanga amháin a labhruigeann [sic] siad. Níor labhair siad ariamh aon fhocal gaedhilg…” [Translation: “English is the only language that the tinkers that come to this area speak. They never spoke a word of Irish…”]

8. Rossport

Prior to introduction of roads 100 years ago, there were only individual pedlars – tinker families, with draft animals, are relatively ‘new’ in the area.

Maughan “seem to be indigenous to Connaught”

Casey “seem to be indigenous to Connaught”

Neville “of Cork”. Sole family named in a reference to “other minor tribes”.

“They never participate in public amusements such as athletic sports, football, dances etc. They are not, of course, popular with the people, and the aversion is equally reciprocated by them. The latter are not of Irish homogeneity. They are a distinct people following their own exclusive way of life. In this respect they are somewhat on a par with the red Indians of America , with the difference that while the latter are aboriginal, our Irish Tinkers are supposed to be the descendants of an alien tribe. Certainly, whatever their origin or history, our tinkers seem to be a very ancient class in the Irish community.”

“The gypsies are a different race of caravan-dwelling hawkers and fortune-tellers.”

9. [location in Mayo unclear]

Mayo analysis

Total 19 surnames, 14 of which are one-offs. Maughan/Mochan and Collins are in joint lead (7 mentions each) followed by Ward(e) (6), Mongans (5) and McDonagh (4). Lists concluding with “and co.”, references to – but no names of – “Gypsies” seen as distinct from “tinkers”, and so on, are frustrating, indicating that this information is anything but exhaustive.

Co.Sligo (2 entries)

1. Teampall Buidhe

Doyle local

Maughan local; N Mayo, Tineragh Co. Sligo

Moloney local; Sligo & Leitrim

Sweeney local

Stokes local

Ward local; N Sligo, Tineragh, Co. Donegal

Coyle local; N Mayo, Sligo

McDonagh local; Sligo & N Connacht generally

McGinley local; Sligo, Leitrim. Donegal

McGuire local

Cawley local; Roscommon, S Sligo, Tineragh

2. Doireleathan

Sligo analysis

Twelve surnames in all, only three of them (Cawley, McDonagh and

Ward) mentioned in both entries .

Co.Leitrim (2 entries)

Informants in this smallest of counties treat it as part of a larger (northwestern) region.

1. [location in Co. Leitrim unclear]

McDonagh Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon

McCawley [sic] Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon

McGinley recent arrivals

“The first two families move about through Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon. I have not heard of McGnleys until recently.”

2. Coillte Clochair

Ward intermarried, & travel, with McDonaghs

McDonagh intermarried, & travel, with Wards

Crumlish confined to Donegal. “often live in houses for considerable periods – especially around Ballyshannon.”

Stokes Roscommon

“The Ward and McDonagh clan [sic singular] have intermarried and to a great extent travel together. They travel large areas of Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan, Sligo and Mayo.” [= the whole northwest quarter of the island]

: “Strange to say I do not know of any tinker who can speak Irish fluently.”

notes that Traveller presence in the locality predates the first road (1846) because an old thorn tree at their camping spot on the pre-road route is known as “beggars’ bush”.

Counties Leitrim and Sligo

This single entry covers two counties

McDonagh Galway; horse trading

Maughan (Mohan) West. intermarried with McDonaghs. tinsmiths.

Ward Donegal. wire workers. intermarried with Mulrooneys.

MacMurrough ragmen. also known as the Casógs, Old Coats

Caulderbanks

Delaney Wexford. musicians (pipers)

Mulrooney intermarried with Wards

Doherty [not listed but mentioned in passing]

All come and go through the northwest.

All are more differentiated by TRADES than by geography.

“Most of the older McDonaghs Wards and Dohertys can and do speak Irish among themselves or when so addressed.” It would be interesting to know more about the informant, especially his own familiarity with Irish, as only one other entry makes such a claim and so many others (including the very next entry) specifically note Travellers’ inability to speak this language.

Co.Roscommon (1 entry)

Ballihadreen

Ward principal local group

McDonagh less frequent but fairly common

Sweeney less frequent but fairly common

“No local tinker knows Irish.”

Nine entries, one of them unspecified

[I have noted which are Gaeltacht areas now (2007) and so certainly were in the mid 1950s]

Notes that the surnames O’Rourke, Gallagher and Boyle all suggest dispossession at the time of the Plantation.

2. [location in Donegal unclear]

This is the wordlist collected from Mrs. Stokes née Mongans, from Roscommon, passing through Donegal. The respondent notes: “The Stokes family had little of tinkers’ traditions etc. beyond the list of words enclosed.”

The respondent also lists, without locating,

Moloney horse-trading

Doherty horse-trading

Delaney horse-trading

Doran music, esp. piping

3. Baile na Finne Gaeltacht

[all surnames given as Gaeilge]

4. Creeslough

McGinley sole local Traveller family

5. Templedouglas

6. Glencolmcille (Gaeltacht, but surnames given as Béarla)

O’Doherty current

O’Rourke current

McConnell in the past

Travel all South West Donegal from the Rosses to Ballyshannon.

Doherty largest group, with several branches.

Donegal only

Quinn Donegal only

McGinley Donegal only, esp W Donegal/Gaeltacht

McDonagh “ Connaught visitors” “rather too numerous for one surname” (suspects that McDonagh is a generic term for Connacht Travellers – though whether self-ascribed not indicated.

“I heard tinkers using Irish in the Donegal Gaeltacht.”

8. Ballintra

No names given. Says few Traveller families locally; “nothing to poach”!

McMahon surname of last family to visit the area

Donegal analysis

Twenty-one different surnames are given, with McGinley and (O’) Doherty most frequently cited (five times) and Mc(G)Rory and O’Rourke twice each. The remainder are all once-offs.

Co. Monaghan

(four entries, one of which covers a broad border area)

1. Castleblaney

Both very well known in this district. Generally travel counties Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath, and Westmeath.

2. Scairb na gCaorach (Emyvale)

Cawley pass through

Power pass through

Curran pass through

Emyvale is on the direct Dublin-N Irl route. Informant says many Travellers pass through, but only these 3 families are named.

3. Clones, re Cavan/Monaghan/Fermanagh border

Cawley intermarried with Cooneys, Dohertys

Cooney intermarried with Cawleys

[Dohertys not mentioned except as intermarrying with Cawleys]

Informant spoke with 70-year-old Mr. Cawley, a native of Cavan/ Monaghan who has rarely travelled outside this area and then solely to Northern Ireland .

4. Iniskeen

McCann local group

Doyle local group

Monaghan analysis

Ten surnames are noted; only one of them, Cawley, is repeated, and one entry links this family with the Cooneys and Dohertys.

Co.Cavan (three entries)

1. [location in Co. Cavan unclear]

McCeann [sic] “gipsies”. Cavan, Longford, Westmeath & Leitrim. “well-to-do”

Informant differentiates between “gipsies” and “tinkers” but doesn’t explain how. The McCeanns [sic] are the sole family named, and they are identified as Gypsy.

2. Ballyconnell

(five surnames, ALL of them unique to this respondent!)

3. [location in Co. Cavan unclear]

Cavan analysis

Of the seven surnames noted only one, McC(e)ann, is mentioned in two entries.

NORTHERN IRELAND

(nine entries, three of which give no surnames)

Although I have put all the Northern Ireland material together, it is in fact dispersed among the rest of the Ulster material, as shown by the page numbers.

1. recorded in Belfast

McDonagh Ellen McDonagh, a 36-year-old from Sligo, gives “Traveller” as her occupation. McDonagh is the sole surname noted in this entry.

2. Ballycastle, N Antrim

(Respondent resident in Glynn Co. Armagh)

Hunter “One group which I know [!] has several branches under the surname Hunter.” (No other entry notes this surname.)

3. Ballymena Co. Antrim

No surnames given

4. Hiltown Co. Down

MacMahon sole family named

5. Counties Down, Donegal, Leitrim

(Respondent lives in Co. Down)

O’Connor Co. Down

Ward Co. Down

Crumlish/Crumledge ` Co. Donegal

6. North Armagh, part of Tyrone

Are not frequented by Ts

7. Ardstraw Co. Tyrone

Very occasionally pass through; no information given

8. Various parishes in Co. Tyrone, all informants are farmers of 70+

McDonagh local

Stokes regarded as being “the most wicked of any of the tinker tribes”

Dowd “The Dowds were also a feared tribe. It used to be said to quarrelsome children, ‘You’re as bad as the Dowds.’”

“Approximating to the tinker clans were the McGuigans and the Sharkeys. I have recorded information about these people in collections, family names etc.” – but he doesn’t explain how they “approximate”!

9. South Fermanagh

Mangans [sic]

White Protestant

Price Protestant

Kesh Protestant

Locke Protestant

Steward [sic, d] Protestant

These families were identified as Protestant by a “gipsie” who also said they can talk all night in their own language; note that the sample vocabulary given is Irish Traveller, not Romani.

(By implication, those families not identified as Protestant are Catholic.)

Northern Irelandan alysis

There is so little information for Northern Ireland that I have put it together – and even this is imprecise, as two of the nine entries cover more than one county, including one in Connacht, albeit bordering Ulster .

Twenty-four surnames are noted; all but five of them are one-offs, and only McDonagh and Ward get as many as three mentions (Crumlish, Mahon and Stokes get two each).

The Irish Travellers

By Frank O’Shea.

In Ireland today there are about 30 000 people referred to as Travellers. Just over two years ago, the Irish parliament recognised Travellers as a distinct ethnic group within the Irish population. This was a hugely significant decision for Irish people who always regarded ourselves as homogeneous. It was also of course significant for the Travellers, because it went a long way to restoring their self esteem and pride in their heritage. Interestingly, the decision does not create new rights and has no implications for public expenditure.

So who are these people we call Travellers? They used to live mostly in caravans or mobile homes in which they travelled all over the country or into England. They have Irish surnames – Ward, Connors, Carty, O’Brien, Cash, Coffey, Furey, MacDonagh, Mohan. In recent times, some have moved into the settled community; the town of Rathkeale in Co Limerick, population about 2000, has about 45% Travellers.

That the Travellers are a distinct ethnic sub-group within Ireland has been recognised as a result of recent research. To summarise that research:

• The Travellers are not part of the Indo-European Romani groups found in Europe and the Americas.
• The Travellers are genetically Irish
• There are subgroups within them
• There is a suggestion of strong origins from the midland counties
• It used to be thought that the Travellers owed their origins to the Irish Famine or to the Huguenots who came to Ireland from persecution in France and were able to buy out small farms, but the new studies suggest that they go back much farther, as much as 1000 years.
• The most reliable evidence shows that this distinctiveness from the local Irish population goes back between eight and 14 generations. Taking 11 generations as a reasonable median, this has given a possible origin as following the Cromwellian era.
• Another set of researches has shown that a particular allele (a variation of a gene) is found in 100% of Travellers, but in only 89% of the settled Irish population. This may be due to the long tradition of intermarriage within the community, but could also be interpreted as a sign of a possible ‘Abraham’ of all Travellers.

There is a unique Traveller language, variously known as Cant or Shelta or Gammon. This is quite distinct and has echoes in their spoken English. It contains words from Italian and Latin but its vocabulary is mainly Irish, sometimes in a clever anagram. For instance in Gammon the word for whiskey is scaihaab = scai + haab = anagramatically isca baha = phonetically uisce beatha, the Irish for whiskey. Likewise, the Shelta word for door is sarod, which is the Irish word doras backwards. For the Irish Travellers, Shelta or Gammon is usually regarded as a kind of code used deliberately to maintain privacy from settled people.

As well as their own language, travellers have a kind of semaphore for communication. For example, the rags which they leave attached to bushes when they move from a particular halting-place are significant. Red and white rags indicate that it was a good place; black or dark-coloured cloths tell of sickness or trouble with locals. In their folklore, as in that of many gypsies, the colour red has an important part to play as a protection against the Evil Eye.

In the middle of the last century Bryan MacMahon, the Listowel playwright and novelist, became friendly with the Travellers, learning their language and moving easily among them. He has written extensively about them, both as fact and in fiction.

One paper which MacMahon wrote for the American Museum of Natural History attracted great attention. He received dozens of requests for transcripts of the article and for further information. Most of these requests were from university research schools, but some were from organisations with military or secret service connections. Intrigued by this, MacMahon enquired why his work should create such interest. He was told that in modelling the behaviour of people in a post-holocaust situation, useful guides were provided by marginal tribes like the Lapps, the Inuit or the Irish Travellers. All have survived harsh social and climatic treatment and have learnt to adapt to the most inhospitable of conditions. 

There can be great poverty among Travellers, especially those who move into the big urban areas. In campsites on the fringe of Dublin, conditions are primitive and unhygienic. Yet most caravans have a television and many have a satellite dish.

I now refer to my understanding of the Travellers from my growing up in Ireland. In the first place, we called them tinkers, a term that was not used pejoratively: this was a time when, if your kettle or cooking pot had a hole in it, you did not throw it out, you had it mended and if you were lucky, the tinkers were in the locality and they did it perfectly. They were tinsmiths and if we called them tinkers, we were not aware of any offence. It is possible also that the word is a version of tinklers, people who do lots of small jobs.

They would come to our part of Kerry for patterns and fairs or simply on a wide tour which covered our area at about the same time each year. Sometimes the children would come to school for a few weeks and we were always told to treat them with respect and kindness. There were occasional all-in fights between families but never with locals. Farmers might get angry about piebald horses grazing in their fields, while their wives became more alert in counting their chickens but in general there was a Christian tolerance for these people, ‘God’s gentry.’ 

Sometimes they would sell holy pictures or little statues and we would buy one or two. They were then and still are, strongly Catholic in their beliefs and practices. They had a strong moral code: teenage sex was a particular concern and it was common for girls to marry at 16-17 and men 18 or 19. They did not marry outside their own people, and marriages between first or second cousins were not unusual. 

When they were in the area, their women might come to our back door and ask my mother for a jug of milk or a cup of sugar, which would be given without hesitation. Sigerson Clifford, the Cahirciveen poet writes fondly of them. Many of the poems in his Ballads of a Bogman are devoted to them and to stories about them, always told with respect and great affection.

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75 Gypsy Names for Baby

Stefanie Miller

What are gypsies? The word " gypsy " comes from the Middle English word "gypcian." This is derived from Greek for Egyptian. It is believed that the Romani gypsies in the Middle Ages were actually Egyptian . Something you may not know that there are two types of gypsies, so not just the Romanies. *Please note that the word gypsy may be viewed as pejorative to some due to its connotations of illegality.

More: 75 Fairy Names for Your Magical Little One

The Romani people are probably who you are most familiar with. They are nomads who have migrated from Central Asia to Europe and in the 19th century, even the Americas. You won't typically see them identify themselves as one ethnicity as they are very diverse people who speak many different languages.

The other type of gypsies is the Irish Travellers. They aren't related to the Romani people, even though they are sometimes grouped into the same gypsy category. These nomads are primarily English and Irish and primarily live in Ireland. These nomadic people are very religious as well, identifying as Catholic.

Why Choose a Gypsy Name?

The first thing you will notice is that this group of names is very diverse and includes Irish and Romani options, allowing you more gypsy names to choose from. Each name’s meaning is typically something special to their culture or religion and can be a great choice for someone who is adventurous or has ties to gypsies in their ancestry. Either way, these baby names are beautiful and many are very unique, giving your little adventurer a name of their own.

Gypsy Baby Boy Names

• Alafair - Old Norse, means "elf warrior"
• Alfonso - Old German, means "noble and ready"
• Bartley - Hebrew, means "furrow"
• Credi - Italian, means "just"
• Danior - English, means "born with teeth"
• Django - Romani for "I awake"
• Duke - Latin for "leader" or Celtic, meaning "leader of the seas"
• Ephraim - Hebrew, means "fruitful"
• Fenix - Greek for "dark red"
• Gallius - Latin, means "from Gaul" and is a derivative of the Greek name Gallus
• Goliath - Hebrew, means "exile"
• Hanzi - Romani for "God is gracious"
• Israel - Hebrew, means "wrestle with God"
• Iza - Hebrew, means "God is abundance"
• Kashi - Sanskrit for "shining"
• Kaven  - Irish for "handsome"
• Lash  - Old English for someone who worked as a doctor
• Leander  - Greek, means "lion man"
• Llewellyn  - Welsh, means "like a lion"
• Marik - Polish for "warlike"
• Manfri - An alternative spelling for Manfre, which is the short form of the German name Manfred and means "man of peace"
• Menowin - Romany German name, means "strength" and "friend"
• Moses - Hebrew, means "drawn from the water"
• Nehemiah - Hebrew, means "God's compassion"
• Neptune - Latin for the Roman God of the sea
• Patrick - Comes from St. Patrick, Latin for "nobleman"
• Patrin - Romani for "leaf trail"
• Pyramus - Ancient Greek for "fire" or "blaze"
• Rom - Another name for male gypsies
• Silvanus - Latin for "woods"
• Uriah - Hebrew, means "God is light"
• Vano - Romany version of Ivan that means "God is gracious"
• Windsor - Old English, means "from the friend's hill"
• Wisdom - English, means "common sense"

Gypsy Baby Girl Names

• Britannia - English, an anglicized version of "Bretagne" which is a section of France
• Charity - Latin, means "loving and benevolent"
• Clementina - Latin, means "giving mercy" and also the feminine version of Clemens
• Drina - English, means "defender of mankind"
• Esmeralda - Spanish for "emerald"
• Ethelinda - German, means "noble serpent"
• Florence - Latin, means "blooming flower"
• Gillie - Latin for "bright promise"
• Gypsy - An English word used for nomads that came from northern India or the Romany region
• Hester - Persian or Dutch for "star"
• Kezia - Hebrew for cinnamon
• Lavinia - Latin for "purity"
• Leonora - Several meanings including English for "torch" and Greek for "light"
• Mahala - Arabic for "powerful" or Hebrew for "tenderness"
• Malina - Greek for "gentle one" or Native American for "soothing"
• Margaret - Has the same meaning in multiple languages; Persian, Scottish, Gaelic, and German for "pearl"
• Mercy - Middle English for "merciful"
• Miri - Hindi for "wonderful"
• Nan - English for "gracious"
• Naomie - Variation of the popular name Naomi, means "pleasantness" in Hebrew
• Pamela - Greek for "honey"
• Patience - English name that was popular among Romani gypsies
• Penelope - Greek for "bobbin-weaver"
• Queenie - English for "queen"
• Rena - Hebrew for "peace"
• Rhoda - Greek for "a rose"
• Roma - Italian, means "from Rome"
• Sabina - Hindi for a musical instrument
• Selina - Greek for "moon"
• Shelta - Language spoken by Irish travellers
• Theodosia - Greek for "gift of God"
• Trinity - Latin, means "the holy three"
• Vadoma - Feminine for of Vadim, Romani for "to know"
• Zina - Several meanings including Greek for "of Zeus" and Latin for "colorful flowers"

Gender Neutral Gypsy Names

• Amberline - Arabic for "jewel"
• Bohemia - Comes from "Bohemian" which is the term that was used for the Romany people who came to France
• Freedom - English for "liberty"
• Leviathan - Israeli for "coiled"
• Liberty - English for "freedom"
• Ocean - Greek for "sea"
• Vai - German for "mighty ruler"

Looking for more baby names and inspiration? Check out our Baby Name Center .

Considering one of these names? Pin it to save it for later:

About Stefanie

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Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

• Researching Irish Traveller Ancestors
• Message Board

An Lucht Siúil  ( Traveling Folk  lit. the Walking People) or Travellers can refer to a variety of people who lived life on the road.

Irish Travellers aka Mincéir aka Pavee are a distinct Irish ethnic group with their own customs, language and traditions. Many live in the UK for all or part of the year. They are a recognised ethnic minority group.

Tracing your Irish Traveller family history can be extra challenging due to the lack of written records. However, there are clues you can look out for that can point to Irish Traveller ancestry, and a number of resources to help you discover more.

This resource is a work in progress; please feel free to add recommendations and suggestions to this thread.

Irish Traveller Ancestry Resources

Here is a list of useful resources to help you trace your Irish Traveller or Mincéir ancestors:

Traveller Heritage.ie

https://www.paveepoint.ie/ PaveePoint.ie

The Romany & Traveller Family History Society

Travellers Times

RomaHeritage.co.uk  | GypsyWagons.co.uk | Gypsy Genealogy

Special Collections:  Liverpool  | Leeds  | Reading  | Surrey  |  Sussex 

Population structure & History of Irish travellers

Irish Travellers are a separate cultural group that started migrating to Britain in the early 19th century and can be traced back to 12th century Ireland.  

Gene study reveals Irish Travellers' ancestry Genetic research found that Irish Travellers are of Irish origin and have significant genetic makeup compared to their settled community. An estimated 40,000 Travellers (less than 1% of the population) are living in Ireland today. Although sometimes called gypsies, they have no genetic relation to Romani . 

Celtic Travellers DNA Project

The Celtic Travellers DNA project is for descendants and members and of Irish Travellers , Highland Scottish Travellers, Lowland Scottish Travellers, Fairground Travellers and other Non-Romani travelling families. However, Roma or mixed Traveller heritage are also welcome to join.

Census & BMD Records

Clues that can suggest Traveller ancestry include:

Occupations: tinker, tinman, tinsmith, whitesmith, dealer, pedlar, horse dealer, basket maker,  peg maker , knife grinder/ sharpener, hawker , musician , and sometimes labourer.

Place of Birth : All the children in the family being born in different places is also a big clue. 

Residence : Unusual residences such as "tent on common"

Irish Gypsies and Irish Travellers are distinct ethnic groups often referred to in parish registers as 'Pavees' or 'Minceir'. 

IrelandXO Message Board

IrelandXO Traveller Timelines

• Traveling Folk in the 1930s

Traveller Buildings & Places

• St Nicholas of Myra, Francis St, DUBLIN
• Long Mile Road WALKINSTOWN

Irish Traveller Photo Collections

UCD Digital Collection

Common Irish Traveller Family Names

Berry, Brown,  Cash , Carmody, Carthy, Casey, Cassidy,  Cawley , Clark, Collins,  Connors , Conroy, Corcoran, Cunningham, 

Delaney,  Doherty ,  Donoghue/  O’Donoghue,  Donovan , Doran,  Dunne , Flynn, Gallagher, Green,

Hanafin/ Hannifin , Hand, Hanley, Hanrahan, Harper, Hennessey,  Joyce , Keating, Keenan, Kerrigan, Kiely, Lawrence, Lee, Lynch,

Maguire, Malone, Maloney,  Maughan , Mongan, Moorehouse

McCarthy , MacDonald,  McDonagh , MacDonnell, MacAleer, McCann, McDonnell, McGinley, McInerney, MacLoughlin, McRea

Nevin, Nolan, O’Donnell,  O’Reilly /   Reilly, Power, Purcell, Price, Quinn,  Stokes , Sweeney,  Ward , Wall, Windrum.

​ Famous Irish Traveller Ancestors 

• Sean Connery
• Margaret Barry

IrelandXO_DM

Message board replies.

Very good resources.

Visit Castlebar

Interesting information, thanks. I also love to travel, and sometimes different situations happen during the flight. Recently there was a flight delay  It's good that I was familiar with information and was able to receive compensation for flight delays or cancellations.

Interesting information, thanks. I also love to travel, and sometimes different situations happen during the flight. Recently there was a flight delay https://www.travelwiseway.com/section-flight-compensation/article-aerol… It's good that I was familiar with information and was able to receive compensation for flight delays or cancellations.

28 Famous Irish People That You Should Know

Categories Culture and Food

Are you looking for famous Irish people in history? 

Beyond St. Patrick , Guinness brewery founder Arthur Guinness, author James Joyce , and musicians Bono and Enya, there are many noteworthy personalities, both past and present, to consider while thinking of prominent Irish people.

Numerous artists, inventors, lawyers, statesmen, and even controversial sports people have been born and raised on the Emerald Isle . They have all shaped the country’s history and represented Ireland on the global stage in various ways.

Things you'll find in this article

1. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell – Astrophysicist 

2. john tyndall – scientist who discovered infrared radiation, 3. ernest walton – nobel prize-winning scientist, 4. micheal collins – revolutionary leader, 5. éamon de valera – revolutionary and 3rd president of ireland, 6. constance markievicz – revolutionary hero, 7. daniel o’connell – the liberator / emancipator, 8. mary robinson – ireland’s first female president, 9. w.b. yeats (1865 – 1939), 10. oscar wilde (1845 – 1900), 11. jonathan swift (1667 – 1745), 12. c.s. lewis (1898 – 1963), 13. liam neeson, 14. pierce brosnan, 15. michael fassbender, 16. graham norton – tv host and comedian, 17. maureen o’hara, 18. saoirse ronan , 19. ruth negga, 20. boyzone, 21. the corrs, 22. the cranberries, 23. kodaline, 24. conor mcgregor – controversial fighter, 25. katie taylor – inspiring female boxer, 26. grace o’malley – ireland’s pirate queen, 27. st patrick – patron saint of ireland, 28. ernest shackleton – explorer.

Here are some of the most fascinating and famous Irish people , as well as what they were known for.

Famous Irish People in Science

While growing up in Belfast, Bell’s father worked at the Armagh Observatory as an architect. Her fascination with astronomy was sparked as a child by her time spent there.

Because of the encouragement of the observatory’s staff, she decided to pursue a degree in physics.

As an astrophysicist, Jocelyn Bell Burnell made history when she discovered the first radio pulsars. In the wake of the finding, numerous more scientific advances were made, including the production of a map to direct extraterrestrials to Earth.

John Tyndall conducted experiments that are still relevant to our understanding of the physical and chemical worlds as far back as 150 years ago.

The results of several of his tests became his most significant contribution to the area of magnetism.

Today, infrared radiation, which was previously referred to as radiant heat, is more well understood.

When Walton was a Cambridge scholar working with Sir John Cockcroft, they were given the challenge of splitting an atom’s nucleus using accelerated protons, a task that had never been done before.

The Cockcroft-Walton Circuit, which could deliver a massive charge of 7000 kilovolts, was the result of their collaboration.

They made their breakthrough on April 14, 1932, when they used this gadget to break apart the nucleus of a lithium atom.

Famous Irish People in Politics

Originally from Clonakilty, County Cork , Michael Collins is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Irish history.

Following the Easter Rising of 1916, Michael Collins climbed through the ranks of the Irish Republican Army to become Director of Intelligence, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Provisional Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, among other designations.

In August 1922, he was slain during the Irish Civil War, and his legacy and sacrifice are still remembered and honored to this day.

Éamon de Valera is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in modern Irish history. In the course of Ireland’s struggle for independence, his long history as a revolutionary and statesman directed the country’s politics.

In part because of his dual American-Irish citizenship, De Valera was spared by the British during the Easter Rising of 1916.

After his release from prison in 1917, he was elected president of Sinn Féin, an Irish political party. When Éamon de Valera became Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland in 1937.

In 1939, he declared Ireland to be neutral in the Second World War. Taoiseach De Valera served two more terms (1951-54 and 1957-59). He eventually became the third president of the Republic of Ireland in 1959 and served until his retirement in 1973.

London-born Constance Markievicz was raised in Sligo by wealthy Anglo-Irish parents. She became a revolutionary heroine during the insurrection of 1916.

The Irish Citizen Army took notice of her, and she soon became one of its most significant members.

She took part in the Irish Civil War and the Battle of St. Stephen’s Green in 1916 as a Republican.

She was just the second woman in Europe to hold a cabinet ministerial role when she was appointed Minister for Labour in Ireland’s first government.

Daniel O’Connell was born in County Kerry in 1775 and grew up with a deep cultural affinity. He became a lawyer and advocated for Catholic liberation by legal and nonviolent measures.

In his pursuit, he gained the backing of the Catholic Church and the people, propelling him into political leadership.

In 1829, the ruling British Protestants relaxed their restrictive rules that discriminated against Catholics.

O’Connell went on to become the first Catholic to hold a seat in the House of Commons in modern times. He also re-established the Irish Parliament, but he died before his campaign could make any substantial progress.

As the seventh president (1990 – 1997) of the Republic of Ireland, Mary Theresa Wilford Robinson was the first woman to hold this role.

While in government, she was well praised for her efforts to modernize Ireland and reinvigorate the political process.

Robinson stepped down during her final year in office to devote herself to human rights work with the United Nations. Mary was a powerful woman who tirelessly fought for human rights around the world.

Famous Irish Authors

Notable Works : (poems) an ode to his favorite place in Sligo called ‘Lake Isle of Innisfree’ and the romantic ‘He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven’.

William Butler Yeats was a gifted poet and one of the most famous figures in the late-nineteenth-century Irish literary resurgence. He was also one of the founders of the Abbey, Ireland’s most prominent theatre, and the first Irishman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.

He became a Senator in the independent Irish government after becoming a regular commentator on Irish politics.

Most of his poetry was inspired by his public service job, his childhood travels to County Sligo, and his failed love life. He proposed to Maud Gonne, the love of his life, four times over several years, but she declined each time.

Notable Works : The Importance of Being Ernest, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854, and his legacy is still felt throughout the city. The house where he was born is now the academic center of Trinity College Dublin , where he studied.

In Dublin, there are also various museums dedicated to Oscar Wilde. While Wilde is most known for his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, he is also a fantastic playwright.

The Importance of Being Earnest is one of his most well-known plays. Later, he moved to London, where his plays were well-received.

Because of the harsh rules of the time, Oscar Wilde was imprisoned and exiled. He was accused of being in a same-sex relationship, which was illegal at the time.

READ MORE: Interesting Facts About Oscar Wilde

Birth Place : Dublin, Ireland

Notable Works : Gulliver’s Travels

Jonathan Swift was a satirical writer, poet, and, strangely enough, cleric who served as Dean of Dublin’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral during his lifetime. He was a prolific writer who completed several novels, essays, poems, and political papers.

He was born in Dublin to a family with multiple literary connections.

His journey, like Oscar Wilde’s, ends in misery, as he lost his ability to talk and became mentally disturbed following a probable stroke at the age of 75.

Following his death, the vast fortune he left behind was used to establish a psychiatric institution.

Birth Place : Belfast, Northern Ireland

Notable Works : The Chronicles of Narnia (a series of 7 books), The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves Clive Staples

Lewis is frequently wrongly recognized as a British novelist. However, he was born and raised in Belfast before going to England at the age of eleven to attend boarding school.

He grew up surrounded by books and was a very imaginative boy, so it’s no surprise that he went on to write one of the best children’s books ever written.

When his childhood pet dog, Jacksie, died, he refused to go by any other name but Jack, a nickname he’d had since he was a boy.

He maintained a strong sense of his Irish identity throughout his life, frequently searching out Irish locals when he lived in Britain. He even spent his honeymoon in Crawfordsburn, Northern Ireland.

To know more about the famous irish authors, click here.  

READ MORE: Interesting Facts About C.S. Lewis

Famous Irish Actors and Comedian In Hollywood

Liam Neeson’s first ambition was to be a teacher. But thanks to a pretty unforgettable event on his first day as a practice teacher, he was pushed to turn to drama.

Now with the teaching ambition gone, Neeson became a stage actor in Belfast and, later on, Broadway.

His rise to fame, however, took place in 1992, when American film director Steven Spielberg offered the Irish stage actor the role of Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List.  And the rest, they say, is history. Liam Neeson would star in the massively successful action film Taken in 2008.

Born in Ballymena in the County Antrim of Northern Ireland on June 7th, 1952, Liam Neeson is famous all over the world.

He has been nominated for several acting awards and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.

READ MORE:  15 Interesting Facts About Liam Neeson

Pierce Brosnan is best known in his role as James Bond in the Bond film series, starring in four films from mid-1990s until early 2000s. He also player the character in multiple video games.

Born in May 16, 1953 in Drogheda, County Louth , Ireland, Brosnan is not only a renowned actor; he is also a film producer, an environmental activist, and an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland since 2001.

Brosnan was an artist before he became an actor. After leaving school, he pursued a career in art and worked as an illustrator.

Today he sells his paintings to raise money for charitable causes.

READ MORE:  14 Interesting Facts About Pierce Brosnan

Michael Fassbender was born to a German father and an Irish mother on April 2, 1977. He was born in Heidelberg, then in West Germany, but moved to Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland, at age two.

His mother, a native of Larne, County Antrim, is said to be a great-grand-niece of Michael Collins, an Irish leader during the War of Independence. 

Nicknamed “Fassy,” the Irish-German actor is best known for his deep, calm voice mixed with emotionally intense performances and he played in some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies in Hollywood.

At home in a story from any period, he played Rochester in the film rendition of Jane Eyre, Jobs in the biopic Steve Jobs, as a Royal Marines lieutenant in Quentin Tarantino’s war epic, Inglourious Basterds and as Edwin Epps, a heartless slaveholder in the award-winning period-drama film 12 Years A Slave.

However, we know him best as the Marvel supervillain Magneto in the X-Men film series. 

READ MORE:  13 Interesting Facts About Michael Fassbender

(1963 – present)

Norton, who is well-known for his flamboyant and innuendo-laden comedic style, has hosted his namesake BBC talk show since 2007. For his work as a host, he has received five BAFTA TV Award nominations.

In addition to his television appearances, he is a BBC Radio host and a commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest.

To know more about the famous Irish actors in Hollywood, click here.

Famous Irish Actresses In Hollywood

Maureen O’Hara

Born Maureen FitzSimons on August 17, 1920 in Ranelagh, Dublin , Ireland, Maureen O’Hara started training with a theater company at age 10.

She would go on to become the most famous Irish actress in Hollywood throughout the 1940s to the 1960s.  A natural redhead known for portraying passionate but sensible heroines, O’Hara was the only red-headed child in the brood of six.

She was also a professional singer, having inherited her mother’s singing voice.  O’Hara was awarded the Career Achievement Award from the American Cinema Foundation in 1985. 

She was also the first woman to win the John F. Kennedy Memorial Award for “Outstanding American of Irish Descent for Service to God and Country.”

In October 24, 2015, Maureen O’Hara died from natural causes in Boise, Idaho, USA, at the age of 95.

Deemed one of Hollywood’s most promising actresses at the young age of 13, Saoirse Ronan – pronounced “Sur-sha” – showcased such great talent far beyond her years.

While her first name is often mispronounced, Ronan is hands down one of the top talents Hollywood has seen in recent years. 

She has starred in numerous highly-regarded Hollywood movies such as Lady Bird, Hanna, and Brooklyn, and received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and 4 Academy Awards nominations, 4 Screen Actors Guild Awards, and 5 British Academy Film Awards.

Born on April 12th, 1994 in New York City, USA, Ronan’s parents are both Irish from Dublin who had left their home country due to the 1980s recession.

She moved back to Ireland with her family when she was three and continues to live in her home in Greystones, County Wicklow.

READ MORE: Fun Facts About Saoirse Ronan

Considered by some to be a “reluctant” celebrity, Ethiopian-Irish actress Ruth Negga is also notoriously private.

She has no social media accounts and her world views, opinions, and most details of her personal life are unknown, unlike most celebrities around.

Born on January 7, 1982 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father, Negga moved to Limerick, Ireland , with her family when she was four.

Negga made her screen debut in the 2004 Irish film Capital Letters. Her breakthrough came when she landed her first high-profile role in the post-apocalyptic zombie film World War Z in 2013, co-starring Brad Pitt.

This was followed by the role of Tulip O’Hare in fantasy drama series Preacher in 2015 and Mildred Loving in the 2016 civil rights drama Loving.

The latter earned Negga various major nominations for best actress, including an Oscar. Negga now lives in the United States, but she still makes time to get back to Ireland as much as she can.

Best And Famous Irish Bands 

From: Dublin Known for:  “Love Me for a Reason”, “Isn’t it a Wonder”, ” No Matter What”, “I Love the Way You Love Me”, ”

Picture of You” Boyzone began in 1993 when manager Louis Walsh advertised for hopefuls to join an “Irish Take That” competition.

More than 300 people applied, and producers eventually narrowed the number down to the five members who became Boyzone. They quickly rose to prominence as one of the most successful boy bands in the world.

Before going on sabbatical in 2001, the group achieved 16 consecutive top 5 hit songs in the United Kingdom. Boyzone reunited in 2008 and scored two more top ten hits. One of the group’s two lead vocalists, Stephen Gately, died in 2009.

Boyzone regrouped in 2010 to release Brother, which debuted at number one in the United Kingdom. They followed it up in 2013 with BZ20, which reached number 6.

However, neither album produced any notable hit singles. The band announced in April 2018 that they would disband permanently following the release of one final studio album, a tribute to Stephen Gately, and a concert tour.

From: Co. Louth Known for: “Only When I Sleep”, “Runaway”, ” Breathless”, “Radio” The Corrs are one of the most well-known Irish bands of all time.

Combining traditional Irish musical themes with pop rock has never been simple, but a group of brothers and sisters from County Louth have done so with style and tremendous success.

The Corrs have issued seven studio albums and countless singles since their inception in 1990, totaling forty million globally.

Two of them, Talk On Corners and Forgiven Not Forgotten, have been number one and two in the UK charts at the same time, making them one of only a few acts to do so. They are without a doubt one of Ireland’s top pop bands.

From: Limerick 

Known for : “Zombie”, ” Linger”, Dreams”, “Just My Imagination”, ” When You’re Gone”  The Cranberries are an Irish rock band founded in 1990 and led by vocalist Dolores O’Riordan.

In the 1990s, the band was hugely successful around the world, selling over 40 million CDs. The track “Linger” from 1993 was the group’s first commercial success. The song and its music video were picked up by MTV, which helped it become a top ten pop smash in the United States.

With their following album, No Need To Argue, and the hit “Zombie,” which was inspired by Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising, the Cranberries shifted their sound to heavier rock.

From 2004 through 2008, the Cranberries were on sabbatical as members of the band concentrated on various projects.

Following the release of Dolores O’Riordan’s solo album No Baggage, they reunited for a North American and European tour in 2009.

Roses, the group’s next album, was released in 2012. It charted at #51 in the United States. Dolores O’Riordan, the band’s lead vocalist, died abruptly in January 2018 at the age of 46.

She was in London to work on new records. The band intends to finish a final album with O’Riordan’s vocals already recorded.

They gained a lot of attention in 2012 after releasing The Kodaline – EP and their debut album In a Perfect World, with singles like “All I Want” (which was featured in the 2012 Google Year in Review along with a variety of soundtracks), “High Hopes,” and “Love Like This” attracting a lot of attention.

Kodaline’s sound is varied, diaphanous, and beautiful; they can do it all, from motivational to nostalgic to quietly optimistic to conveying a simple picture of love.

Coming Up For Air, released in 2015, further broadening their horizons. Politics Of Living, their third studio album, was released on September 28, 2018. To know more of the best and famous Irish bands, click here. 

Popular Irish People In Sports

People either adore or loathe McGregor, who is a polarizing figure. He is, without a doubt, one of the most famous Irishmen in the world.

Born on July 14, 1988, in Dublin , Ireland, he has since gone on to become one of the most well-known competitors in professional mixed martial arts.

He is one of the most popular Irish sporting celebrities, owing to his prowess in mixed martial arts, the controversies he got into, and for being bold and outspoken.

Katie went on to win a gold medal in the Olympics before transitioning into the realm of professional boxing, where she is currently reigning supreme.

In addition to being the most famous female boxer in the world, Katie Taylor is arguably the best female boxer competing right now.

Famous Irish People In History

(c. 1530 – c. 1603) Also known as Gráinne N Mhaille, O’Malley was a 16th-century woman from County Mayo . She was one of the most well-known and fearsome pirates ever.

Grace was known for her fearless leadership on the high seas and her political acumen on the ground.

Grace O’Malley also led her clan’s fleet of ships in conflicts against pirates from Spain, Turkey, and England with daring and determination. Smart partnerships were made and quickly dissolved so that she could maintain her family’s independence in their native homeland.

Nobody can deny that St. Patrick is the most well-known Irishman, regardless of religious affiliation.

The fact that he was enslaved in Ireland and then became a Christian missionary, even though he was Welsh greatly changed the course of Irish history.

Several myths abound about him, including how he exterminated all the snakes in Ireland and baptized many people at a well near where St Patrick’s Cathedral now stands in Dublin.

It’s also worth noting that St. Patrick’s Day is named after him, and he is also the patron saint of Ireland.

During the early 20th century, Kildare native Ernest Shackleton left Ireland for a much harsher environment to embark on an extremely perilous Antarctic expedition.

As part of a series of disastrous journeys that saw him fall ill, get shipwrecked, and write his experiences, he traveled to the island four times.

With his incredible tales of survival against the odds, even if he was not the first one, he became a recognizable name and one of the most famous Irishman.        

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

America's most popular Irish boy names have some stunning meanings

T he most popular Irish baby names for boys in the US have been revealed. The United States Social Security Administration recently released data on the popularity of names for babies born in the US in 2023.

Included in the top 100 baby names given to boys born in the US last year were some names that comes from Ireland. That isn't all that surprising, given the huge number of Irish people who have emigrated to America since the 19th century.

In fact, the number one name for baby names in the US last year was an Irish one. Liam took the top spot in the country and in states like New York .

Modern trend emerges with Irish names for girls in US

Popular baby name for girls you probably didn't realize is Irish

Here are the most popular Irish baby names for boys born in the US last year and their unique meanings .

Liam was given to a total of 20,802 baby boys born in the US last year. Liam means 'strong-willed warrior' or 'protector'.

You might not realize that Owen is actually an Irish name. That is because it is the Anglicized version of Eoin or Eoghan.

The name Owen was given to 7,985 baby boys born in the US last year, placing it at the number 17 spot on the list. Owen means 'noble' and 'youthful'.

Aiden has consistently been a popular Irish name for boys in the US. It was given to 6,675 baby boys in the US last year and sits at the number 40 spot on the list of the most popular boys' names of 2023.

Aiden comes from the Irish Aodhán, which originates from Aodh. It is understood to mean 'little fire'.

Nolan is one of the popular names that comes from Irish surnames . 5,112 baby boys in the US were named Nolan last year, which places it at the number 57 spot on the list.

Nolan means 'noble', 'famous', or 'descendant of a chariot fighter'. It comes from the last name O'Nullian, which was the name of a once powerful clan in Ireland.

Cameron is another name that surprises many with its Irish/Scottish origins. It comes from the Gaelic 'cam abhainn' which means 'bent river'.

Cameran was the 58th most popular name for baby boys born in the US last year. It was given to a total of 5,069 babies in 2023.

Rowan is perhaps the name on the list with the cutest meaning. Rowan is one of the perfect names for baby boys born with ginger hair .

Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhán which means 'little redhead'. It was the 76th most popular name for baby boys in the US last year with 4,195 babies being named Rowan.

Ryan is one of the most recognizable names for boys in the US. Last year, 4,020 baby boys in the US were named Ryan, placing it at the number 83 spot.

Ryan comes from the surname O'Riain. Similar to Rían, which is one of the most popular baby boy names in Ireland , Ryan means 'little king'.

The last Irish name in the top 100 list is Gael at number 100. Gael was given to 3,616 baby boys in the US last year.

Gael can refer to someone who is of the Gaelic race. It also derives from the Gaelic word Gaidheal which was used to describe strangers or foreigners.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .

Project captures rich heritage of Irish Travellers: ‘We want to keep it alive’

First-hand testimonies of traditional nomadic lifestyle recorded, family trees plotted.

Members of the Collins family celebrate their ancestors. The Pavee Roads Home project uncovers the history of Traveller families. Photograph: Mark Stedman

Michael Collins is a member of the Traveller community and works as a men’s health worker at Dublin’s Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, helping to promote positive mental health among Traveller men.

He also has an avid interest in family history. So when the idea emerged for a project that involved delving into his community’s past, to trace individual Traveller family trees, he was all over it.

Travellers have always handed down information, all kept in their heads. But when they die, it goes with them

The idea for what eventually became Pavee Roads Home came from the popular television show Who do You Think You Are?, explains Collins, who works with young men aged between 18 and 25.

“They were saying that they did not know where their family came from. We’re told ‘the side of the road’, but where, what county? So I thought this would be a good project to get involved in and I wanted to learn how to do the research,” he says.

As well as working with a genealogist to plot the family tree of three Dublin-based Traveller families, the project captured and recorded first-hand testimonies from older Travellers about their traditionally nomadic way of life.

“Travellers have always handed down information, all kept in their heads. But when they die, it goes with them, so we documented everything,” he says.

The knowledge that emerged from the three family tree projects was fascinating, including the fact that all three had relatives who were members of the Connaught Rangers. “None of us knew that. These men had fought for their country, and some of them died,” says Collins.

The Collins family. Photograph: Mark Stedman

In 2019 the Traveller-researched family histories were donated to the National Library of Ireland.

“We were delighted to support this project that provides such valuable insights into Traveller history and identity. The library will store the family histories for posterity,” says its director, Sandra Collins.

Diverse Irish experience

The National Library provides a family history research service and holds many archives of family histories. “This piece of Irish Traveller history is an important addition to those archives and I hope this project and its presence in the library’s archive will encourage other Traveller families to engage the resources available at the National Library and research their own family histories,” she says.

“As Ireland’s memory-keeper, we are committed to ensuring that the National Library’s collections reflect the diversity of Irish experience. The National Library is for everyone and we want to reflect the experience and history of every community.”

If we don't do things like this our heritage is likely to be lost and we are all the poorer

Equally, the Heritage Council has always felt that heritage is not just about castles, tombs and big houses, but about how communities relate to heritage and use it to explore and express their identities, says Ian Doyle, head of conservation at the council.

“Heritage practice has also changed in recent years, with a far greater awareness internationally of the variety of heritage,” he adds. “Several years ago we refreshed our Community Heritage Grants scheme saying we were interested in surveys and recordings of Traveller heritage and the heritage of minority groups. In doing this we were thinking of the rich material culture and intangible heritage of Traveller people in Ireland.”

Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage includes the Cant/Gammon language and Traveller tin smithing as key elements of Ireland’s intangible heritage, he points out.

“Projects like the Pavee Roads Home project show the importance of transmitting heritage knowledge across generations, if we don’t do things like this our heritage is likely to be lost and we are all the poorer,” says Doyle.

Pavee Roads Home is also a good example of the way in which Dublin City Council Culture Company operates, making introductions and bringing parties together, such as the Traveller men’s group and the National Library of Ireland.

It was supported by the National Neighbourhood, a Dublin City Council Culture Company programme. Maynooth Geography and the Irish Research Council are also providing ongoing support.

“We don’t just bring money, it’s a way of working,” explains the culture company’s chief executive, Iseult Byrne. “We build projects in such a way that we become redundant, and those involved can carry them on themselves if they want to. This is a really good flagship for the process.”

Gap in records

One of the connections made by the company was between the Traveller men’s health group and Prof Karen Till, a cultural geographer from Maynooth University, who runs its Master’s programme in spatial justice.

Spatial justice, and injustice, examines how unfairness is built into the fabric of society geographically.

“In Ireland, there are very few material traces in official records of Traveller histories and geographies, such as in the census and the ordnance survey, despite the fact that Travellers are an historically rich and important ethnic group. This is not an accidental gap,” says Prof Till.

“The lack of official records, of classifying people as existing outside of ‘normal’ society or not documenting their ways of life, is evidence of a larger form of systemic structural racism and discrimination. Under colonialism, so-called ‘civilised’ human society was assumed to be settled, economies based on improving agriculture lands and organised according to property ownership. This mindset existed during colonialism, was carried over to the Irish Free State and continues to this day.”

Maynooth Geography partnered with Pavee Roads Home to develop an online digital StoryMap of family genealogies and halting sites.

“Becoming a partner in the project meant that our students and staff have access to these researchers and get to learn about the importance of Travellers in Irish society,” Prof Till explains.

The partnership has been so successful that Prof Till’s class has continued to work with Pavee Roads Home and Pavee Point.

“We have received an Irish Research Council New Foundations award to work on a story-mapping toolkit so that other community and Travellers’ groups can research, document and map their stories, and have started a new community mapping project in Coolock,” she adds.

‘Invisible’

“Our history and our lived experience is different to mainstream history and lived experience, and has been invisible,” says Collins, co-director of Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre.

Nomadism was never validated here but instead designated as vagrancy, he says, forcing Travellers “to settle and to conform”.

As a result, knowledge of the traditional Traveller way of life, and of the routes and campsites that criss-cross the country, are at risk of being forgotten.

It's why a huge part of the Pavee Roads Home project was to capture and document personal testimonies from older Travellers, such as Sheila Reilly, who is now in her 80s.

“Teaching the young people to learn about the Traveller way of life is important,” she says. “It was a very different life. A hard life but good in summer too, when the countryside would be beautiful and there were no phones or tellies. It was very cold in winter, but it was our way of life.”

Her father was a tin smith, making buckets. In October he would pick potatoes, and in July and August she recalls her whole family out on the bog cutting turf.

“I was delighted with the project, and very proud of it,” says Sheila. “I’m delighted to have the young people coming and asking me about it, that they want to know about it. That way of life is gone now but we are still talking to the young people about the culture, and the camps. We want to keep it alive. We don’t want it to die.”

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101 Common Irish Last Names And Their Meanings

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: February 14, 2024

This guide is a collection of the most common Irish last names, their meanings, pronunciations and interesting facts.

To make browsing the  many  Irish surnames easier, we’ve split the guide into four sections:

• The most common Irish names : Based on statistics from Ireland’s CSO
• Old Irish last names : Like Ó Cléirigh – the oldest recorded name in Europe
• Irish American last names : Like the McCarthys, 57% of whom are located in the Americas
• Popular Irish family names : That have been carried around the world as the Irish emigrated

So, grab a coffee, get comfortable and enjoy this collection of Irish family names and what they are all about – cheers!

Table of Contents

The most common Irish last names

The first section of our guide tackles the most common Irish surnames. This is where you’ll find your Murphy’s and your Byrnes.

Below, you’ll discover the origins behind each of the various Irish last names, how to pronounce them and famous people with the same surname.

Murphy is statistically the most popular Irish last name and it is particularly common in County Cork. It is a version of ‘Ó Murchadha’ and ‘Ó Murchadh’, two very old Irish surnames.

Key info about the Irish surname Murphy

• Pronunciation : Mur-fee
• Meaning : ‘Sea-warrior’ or ‘sea battler’
• Famous Murphys : Cillian Murphy (actor)

Derived from the Gaelic ‘Ó Broin’ or ‘Ó Beirn’, Byrne is one of several Irish surnames common in Dublin and Wicklow. Originally ‘O’Byrne’, it meant “Descended from Bran”, the 11th-century King of Kildare. 

Key info about the surname Byrne

• Pronunciation : Burn
• Meaning : Descendant of Bran or Raven
• Famous Byrnes : Gabriel Byrne (actor)

Kelly is one of many Irish last names that appears frequently in the USA. It comes from the Gaelic ‘Ó Ceallaigh’ and is most commonly found in counties Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

Key info about the Irish surname Kelly

• Pronunciation : Kel-e
• Meaning : Warrior or fighter
• Famous Kellys : Grace Kelly (actress)

4. O’Brien

O’Brien is one of many Irish surnames with a strong link to royalty. In this instance, the royalty in question is the O’Brien dynasty which was established by one of Ireland’s most famous High Kings – Brian Boru.

Key info about the surname O’Brien

• Pronunciation : O-Bry-an
• Meaning : Descendant of Brian
• Famous O’Brien’s : Conan O’Brien (comedian)

Ryan , which is also an Irish boys name , is believed to come from the Irish ‘Ó Riain’. It is one of the more common Irish surnames and you’ll find Iit used frequently in counties Carlow and Tipperary.

Key info about the Irish surname Ryan

• Pronunciation : Rye-ann
• Meaning : Little king or ocean/water
• Famous Ryans : Meg Ryan (actress)

6. O’Sullivan

Coming from the Gaelic name ‘Ó Súilleabháin’, the O’Sullivan clan were descendants of the Eóganacht Chaisil – the dynasty that ruled the province of Munster from the 5th to 10th century.

Key info about the surname O’Sullivan

• Pronunciation : O-Sull-ih-van
• Meaning : Dark-eyed or hawk-eyed
• Famous O’Sullivans : Maureen O’Sullivan (actress)

7. O’Connor

O’Connor is another of the more popular Irish family names that you’ll find in the States. The O’Conor dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Connacht on-and-off from 967 to 1475. 

Key info about the Irish surname O’Connor

• Pronunciation : O-Conn-er
• Meaning : Descendant of Conchobhar (the King of Ulster)
• Famous O’Connors : Sinéad O’Connor (singer)

The name Walsh is a common Irish last name found across Ireland. It was taken to Ireland by Welsh people arriving in Ireland with the Normans in the 12th century. The Gaelic equivalent is ‘Breathnach’. 

Key info about the surname Walsh

• Pronunciation : Wal-sh
• Meaning : Welshman or foreigner
• Famous Walshes : Louis Walsh (TV personality)

9. McCarthy

McCarthy , also spelled ‘MacCarthy’, comes from the Gaelic ‘Mac Ćarthaigh’ meaning ‘Son of Cárthach’. The McCarthy Clan ruled Munster during the Middle Ages. This is one of the most common Irish surnames in the Americas, with 57% of all McCarthys residing there.

Key info about the Irish surname McCarthy

• Pronunciation : Mick-art-hee
• Meaning : Loving
• Famous McCarthys : Melissa McCarthy (actress)

The Doyles were descendants of Dubhghall. The name is anglicised from ‘Dubh ghaill’. It is thought to be Norse in origin and the name evolved into ‘Mac Dubghaill’ (‘MacDowell’ and ‘MacDuggall’).

Key info about the surname Doyle

• Pronunciation : Doy-ul
• Meaning : Descendant of Dubhghall/Dark stranger
• Famous Doyles : Arthur Conan Doyle (writer)

As is the case with many old Irish last names, the true meaning of this one is a little grey. In the case of Barry , it’s thought that it comes from either the Gaelic ‘Ó Beargha’ (descendant of Beargh) or ‘Ó Báire’ (plunderer).

Key info about the Irish surname Barry

• Pronunciation : Bahh-ree
• Meaning : Spear-like or plunderer
• Famous Barrys : John Barry (composer)

12. Campbell

Campbell is one of a number of common Irish last names that actually originated in Scotland. It is prevalent in Donegal, particularity in families descended from Scottish soldiers. 

Key info about the surname Campbell

• Pronunciation : Cam-bull
• Meaning : Crooked mouth
• Famous Campbells : Naomi Campbell (model)

The Irish surname Murray comes from ‘Ó Muireadhaigh’ a name meaning ‘Lord’ in Irish and used to denote the descendants of Muireadhach. While it is prolific in Donegal, the name originated in Scotland with those living on the Moray Firth (‘Moray’ evolved into ‘Murray’ over time). 

Key info about the Irish surname Murray

• Pronunciation : Muh-ree
• Meaning : Settlement by the sea
• Famous Murrays : Andy Murray (tennis player)

Nolan is another of the more common Irish last names and it comes from the ancient Gaelic name of ‘Ó Nualláin’. In ancient Ireland, the Nolans were part of a tribe linked to the first Celts to ever settle on the island.

Key info about the surname Nolan

• Pronunciation : Know-lan
• Meaning : Famous or noble
• Famous Nolans : The Nolan Sisters (musicians)

Listed among the 100 most popular Irish last names, Bell comes from the Old English word ‘Belle’. It is prevalent in Ulster and Northern Ireland counties . It originated in Scotland where the Bell family were an infamous clan of the Borders who migrated to Ulster during the Plantation.

Key info about the Irish surname Bell

• Pronunciation : Bell
• Meaning : Bell ringer/bell maker
• Famous Bells : Alexander Graham Bell (inventor)

Kenny or Kenney is one of the most common Irish last names that was anglicised from the Gaelic ‘Ó Cionaoith’ and ‘Ó Coinne’ family names. Common in Galway and Roscommon, the name comes from the Gaelic ‘Cion’ meaning love and affection and Aodh the Celtic God of Fire.

Key info about the surname Kenny

• Pronunciation : Ken-e
• Meaning : Fiery love or fire sprung
• Famous Kennys : James Kenney (playwright)

17. Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick is the 60th most common Irish family name and the only Irish surname with the Norman/French prefix ‘Fitz’. It comes from the Mac Giolla Phadraig Clan – an ancient family of Ossary which is modern day Kilkenny and Laois.

Key info about the surname Fitzpatrick

• Pronunciation : Fits-Pa-trick
• Meaning : Devotee of St Patrick
• Famous Fitzpatricks : Anna Fitzpatrick (tennis player)

18. Gallagher

Gallagher is the most common Irish surname in County Donegal where the clan originated. The name has been around since the 4th century. The Gaelic word ‘Gallchobhair’ comes from ‘Gall’ meaning “stranger” and ‘Cabhair’ meaning ‘help’.

Key info about the surname Gallagher

• Pronunciation : Gal-a-her
• Meaning : Stranger or helper
• Famous Gallaghers : Liam and Noel Gallagher (musicians)

Hayes is one of several old Irish last names that roughly translates to ‘Fire’. It comes from the Gaelic ‘Ó hAodha’ referring to the descendants of Aodh. It comes from the Old Irish word ‘Aed’ which means ‘Fire’ and was the name of an Irish mythological creature .

Key info about the surname Hayes

• Pronunciation : Haze
• Meaning : Fire
• Famous Hayes’s : Rutherford B. Hayes (19th US President)

Traditional and old Irish surnames

In this section, you’ll find old Irish last names, many of which can be found right the way around the world.

One of the most interesting of the Irish surnames in this section is ‘Ó Cléirigh’, which is one of the oldest recorded names in Europe.

1. O’Cleary

O’Cleary (‘Ó Cléirigh’ in Irish) is, in fact, not only the oldest of the many Irish surnames – it’s the oldest recorded name in Europe. The Ó Cléirigh clan ruled what is modern day Galway for 800 years.

Key info about the surname O’Cleary

• Pronunciation : Clear-ee
• Meaning : Clerk or cleric
• Famous O’Clearys : Brendan Cleary (Irish poet)

2. McCloskey

The McCloskeys were Lords of Keenaght – a section of modern day Derry – and were descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages. According to the All Ireland Census of 1659, the name was originally spelled ‘Mac bhLoscaidh’ in Gaelic.

Key info about the surname McCloskey

• Pronunciation : Muh-clus-key
• Meaning : Son of Bloscadh
• Famous McCloskeys : Paul McCloskey (boxer)

Brennan is the anglicised version of the Gaelic names ‘Ó Branáin’ and ‘Ó Braonáin’. The Brennans were an Ossorian (a medieval kingdom where modern day Kilkenny and Laois are located) clan and were descendants of Cerball mac Dúnlainge – a Christian king.

Key info about the surname Brennan

• Pronunciation : Bren-ann
• Meaning : Descendant of Branán or Braonán
• Famous Brennans : Jane Brennan (actress)

Another of the more common Irish surnames is  Cahill (‘Ó Cathail’ in Irish) which means ‘Descendant of Cathal’ – an Irish king. The name ‘Cathal’ can be broken up into ‘Cath’, which means ‘Battle’ and ‘Val’, which means ‘Ruler’.

Key info about the surname Cahill

• Pronunciation : Cah-ill
• Meaning : Strong in battle
• Famous Cahills : Barry Cahill (actor)

Boland , a name common in counties Sligo and Tipperary, is the anglicised form of the Gaelic ‘Ó Beólláin’ which means ‘Descendant of Beóllán’.

Key info about the surname Boland

• Pronunciation : Bow-land
• Meaning : Descendant of Beóllán
• Famous Bolands : Eavan Boland (poet)

Although Kennedy is a family name, it’s seen popularity in recent years as an Irish girls name . There is a lot of uncertainty around the meaning of Kennedy. One thought is that it comes from the Gaelic ‘Ó Ceannéidigh’, which means ‘Grandson of Ceannéidigh’. Ceannéidigh is made up of the words ‘Ceann’ (head) and ‘Eidigh’ (ugly or fierce).

Key info about the surname Kennedy

• Pronunciation : Ken-eh-dee
• Meaning : Fierce
• Famous Kennedys : John F. Kennedy (35th president of the US)

Few old Irish last names can boast a heritage like the Dwyers . The Dwyer clan were one of the oldest aristocratic houses in Ireland. They ruled what is modern day Tipperary and took part in the Battle of Clontarf.

Key info about the surname Dwyer

• Pronunciation : Dw-eye-r
• Meaning : Dark coloured
• Famous Dwyers : Joseph O’Dwyer (physician)

Cullen is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Cuileáin’ which means ‘Descendant of Cuileán’ (possibly Cuilén – a king of Scotland) . The name ‘Cuileán’ means ‘Young hound’ or ‘Handsome one’.

Key info about the surname Cullen

• Pronunciation : Cull-en
• Meaning : ‘Young hound’ or ‘Handsome one’
• Famous Cullens : Leo Cullen (Irish rugby player)

9. Finnegan

Arguably one of the most common Irish last names in the US,  Finnegan is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Fionnagáin’. The Finnegans ruled what is now counties Cavan, Meath and Monaghan.

Key info about the surname Finnegan

• Pronunciation : Fin-ih-gin
• Meaning : Son of fair haired
• Famous Finnegans : George Finnegan (boxer)

10. Gaffney

Gaffney comes from the Gaelic ‘Ó Gamhna’ which translates to ‘Descendant of Gamhain’. The name ‘Gamhain’ means ‘Calf’.

Key info about the surname Gaffney

• Pronunciation : Gahf-knee
• Meaning : Calf
• Famous Gaffneys : Christopher Gaffney (bishop)

11. Canavan

Canavan is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Ceanndubháin’. Interestingly, the ‘O’Canavans’ were physicians that were appointed to a noble Irish family in Connemara – the O’Flahertys. The name means ‘Descendant of the dark haired one’.

Key info about the surname Canavan

• Pronunciation : Can-a-van
• Meaning : Descendant of the dark haired one
• Famous Canavans : Chris Canavan (actor)

Ward is one of the more popular Irish surnames and it comes from the Gaelic last name ‘Mac an Bhaird’. The Mac an Bhairds were one of the learned families of medieval Ireland.

Key info about the surname Ward

• Pronunciation : War-d
• Meaning : Son of the bard (storyteller)
• Famous Wards : Sir Adolphus Ward (historian)

13. Flanagan

Flanagan is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Flannagáin’ and it is a name that was worn proudly by many powerful families in ancient Ireland. One of these families was the Flanagans of Roscommon who were linked to the Kings of Connacht (counties Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo).

Key info about the surname Flanagan

• Pronunciation : Flan-a-gan
• Meaning : Red or ruddy
• Famous Flanagans : Tommy Flanagan (actor)

Brady has some uncertainty surrounding it. One belief is that it comes from ‘Ó Brádaigh’, which means ‘Descendant of Brádach’. Another theory is that it comes from ‘Mac Brádaigh’, a powerful clan from what is now Cavan.

Key info about the surname Brady

• Pronunciation : Bray-dee
• Meaning : Broad or spirited
• Famous Bradys : Tom Brady (American footballer)

15. Collins

Collins is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Coileáin’. Although the true meaning is unknown, it’s possible that the name comes from the Irish ‘Cuilein’, which means darling.

Key info about the surname Collins

• Pronunciation : Coll-ins
• Meaning : Darling
• Famous Collins : Michael Collins (Irish Republican leader)

16. Donohoe

Donohoe is another of the more popular Irish surnames and it is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Donnchadha’ which means ‘Descendant of Donnchadh’. The name can be further broken down to ‘Donn’ (brown-haired) and ‘Cath’ (battle).

Key info about the Irish last name Donohoe

• Pronunciation : Don-ah-hue
• Meaning : Brown haired or battle
• Famous Donohoes : Amanda Donohoe (actress)

17. Donnelly

O’Donnelly is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Donnghaile’ which means ‘Descendant of Donnghal’. Donnghal was a great grandson of Domhnall a King of Ailech in County Donegal.

Key info about the surname Donnelly

• Pronunciation : Don-a-lee
• Meaning : Brown valour
• Famous Donnellys : Declan Donnelly (of Ant and Dec fame)

The surname Quinn comes from the Gaelic ‘Ó Coinn’ or ‘Mac Cuinn’. It is one of the most common Irish last names with over 17,000 people in Ireland belonging to the Quinn clan.

Key info about the surname Quinn

• Pronunciation : Kwin
• Meaning : Son of Conn
• Famous Quinns : Aidan Quinn (actor)

Dunne comes from the Gaelic ‘Duinn’ and ‘Ó Doinn’, which mean ‘Dark/brown’. The Dunnes were families that lived in Wicklow, Laois and Meath. The family owned many castles in Ireland , including Brittas Castle. Many of these castles were destroyed when Cromwell invaded Ireland.

Key info about the surname Dunne

• Pronunciation : Done
• Meaning : Brown or dark
• Famous Dunnes : Ben Dunne (founder of Dunnes department stores)

Boylan is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Baoigheallain’. During the 8th century, the O’Boylans were kings of a part of County Monaghan and they were known for their horsemanship.

Key info about the surname Boylan

• Pronunciation : Boy-lan
• Meaning : Descendant of Baoigheallán
• Famous Boylans : Roger Boylan (writer)

Famous Irish American last names

The third section of our guide tackles some of the most popular Irish surnames that are found scattered across the USA.

Below, you’ll discover the origins behind each of the various traditional Irish last names, how to pronounce them and famous people with the same surname.

When it comes to Irish American last names, Moloney (‘Ó Maoldomhnaigh’) tends to spring to the minds of many, with countless Irish characters in US film given the name. This is one of the older common Irish surnames – it’s believed to date to the 6th century and was mentioned in the ‘Book of Battles’ by Saint Colum Cille.

Key info about the Irish family name Moloney

• Pronunciation : Ma-loan-ee
• Meaning : Decedent of the servant of the church
• Famous Moloney : Janel Moloney (actress)

Although Moore is an English name it has strong Gaelic origins. In Ireland, the Moores would have really been the ‘O’Mordhas’, which meant ‘Noble and stately’.

Key info about the surname Moore

• Pronunciation : Moo-rr
• Meaning : Noble and stately
• Famous Moores : Roger Moore (007 actor)

Moran is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Móráin’ which means ‘Descendant of Mórán’. In ancient Ireland, the Morans were members of Uí Fiachrach – a royal dynasty that ruled the province of Connacht.

Key info about the Irish second name Moran

• Pronunciation : Moor-an (Irish compared to More-ann English)
• Meaning : Big chieftain
• Famous Morans : Dylan Moran (comedian)

Mullen is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Maoláin’, which means ‘Descendant of Maolán’. Maolán was an early Christian bishop in Connacht.

Key info about the surname Mullan

• Pronunciation : Mull-an
• Meaning : Pleasant/bald
• Famous Mullans : Dan Mullane (celebrity chef)

Healy is another of the more typical Irish last names and it is the anglicised form of ‘Ó hEalaighthe’. You’ll find this name frequently in County Sligo. It comes from the Gaelic ‘Ealadhach’ meaning ingenious.

Key info about the surname Healy

• Pronunciation : Hee-lee
• Meaning : Ingenious
• Famous Healy : Cian Healy (rugby player)

The name Higgins is an English-Irish surname from the name ‘Hugh’ and also derived from the Gaelic name ‘Ó hUiginn’. They were Irish poets between the 14th and 17th centuries. 

Key info about the surname Higgins

• Pronunciation : Hig-ins
• Meaning : Sea rover
• Famous Higgins : Alex “Hurricane” Higgins (snooker champion)

Hogan is from the Gaelic ‘Ó hUiginn’ and means ‘Descendant of Uiginn’. The hUiginns were a family of historians and poets from Connacht. You’ll hear this name along the west coast of Ireland.

Key info about the surname Hogan

• Pronunciation : Hoe-gon
• Meaning : Young warrior
• Famous Hogans : John Hogan (sculptor from Waterford),

Hughes comes from one of the old Irish surnames – ‘Ó hAodha’ meaning ‘Descendant of Aodh’ – a god in Irish mythology . The name Hughes is commonly found in Donegal, Armagh and Tyrone.

Key info about the surname Hughes

• Pronunciation : Hyu-se
• Famous Hughes : Hughes Brothers (film directors)

The name Magee comes from the Irish ‘Mag Aodha’, meaning ‘Son of Aodh’. As mentioned under the name Hughes above, Aodh was a god in ancient Ireland.

Key info about the surname Magee

• Pronunciation : Mah-gee
• Famous Magees : Jimmy Magee (sports broadcaster nicknamed “Memory Man”)

10. Maguire

Maguire comes from one of the old Irish last names, ‘Mac Uidhir’, which means ‘Son of Odhar’ or ‘Dark one’. The Maguire family are closely tied to what is modern day Fermanagh. They ruled the area from 1250 C.E. and were the Lords of Fermanagh.

Key info about the surname Maguire

• Pronunciation : M-choir
• Meaning : Son of the dark-coloured one
• Famous Maguires : Tobey Maguire (actor best known as Spiderman)

Maher is one of the more popular Irish last names and it comes from the Irish ‘Ó Meachair’, which means ‘Descendant of Meachar’. The Mahers were part of ‘Éile’, a medieval kingdom in what is now parts of Tipperary and Offaly.

Key info about the surname Maher

• Pronunciation : Mar-h
• Meaning : Descendant of a kind chief
• Famous Mahers : Alice Maher (artist and sculptor)

Martin is a common surname in many parts of the world. In Ireland, it’s thought to be the anglicised version of ‘Mac Giolla Mhártain’, which means ‘Son of the follower of St. Martin’.

Key info about the surname Martin

• Pronunciation : Mar-tin
• Meaning : Son of the follower of St. Martin
• Famous Martins : Chris Martin (Coldplay)

13. Johnston

Few common Irish surnames have a meaning as straightforward as Johnston which literally means ‘John’s town’. A large portion of those with the name Johnston can be found in Ulster (the Scottish brought the name with them in the 17th century during the Plantation of Ulster). 

Key info about the surname Johnston

• Pronunciation : Jon-ston
• Meaning : John’s town
• Famous Johnstons : Daniel Dale Johnston (American singer songwriter)

Kane is another of the old Irish surnames and it is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Catháin’. Although its meaning is unclear, we know the Ó Catháins were a powerful family that were part of the Northern Uí Néill who were descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Key info about the surname Kane

• Pronunciation : Kay-ne
• Meaning : Unknown
• Famous Kanes : Harry Kane (footballer)

15. Kavanagh

Kavanagh (‘Caomhánach’ in Irish) comes from the king of Leinster – Domhnall Caomhánach – who ruled from 1171 to 1175.

Key info about the surname Kavanagh

• Pronunciation : Cah-van-ah
• Meaning : Follower of St. Caomhan
• Famous Kavanaghs : Patrick Kavanagh (Irish poet)

From the Gaelic ‘Ó Catháin’ meaning ‘Descendant of Cathán’, the Keanes originated in the Lagan Valley in County Donegal. They first appear on record in 1138 and the name means ‘courageous warrior’.

Key info about the surname Keane

• Pronunciation : Key-n
• Meaning : Courageous warrior
• Famous Keanes : Roy Keane (footballer)

17. Sheehan

Few Irish family names have a meaning as quaint as the Sheehans . The name is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Síodhacháin’ which means ‘The peaceful one’.

Key info about the surname Sheehan

• Pronunciation : She-hen
• Meaning : Peaceful one
• Famous Sheehans : Alan Sheehan (Irish footballer)

Foley comes from the old Irish surname ‘Foghlú’ which means ‘Plunderer’. You’ll find this name frequently in Waterford and Dublin.

Key info about the surname Foley

• Pronunciation : Foe-lee
• Meaning : Plunderer
• Famous Foleys : Michael Foley (author)

19. Sweeney

Sweeney comes from the name ‘Mac Suibhne’ which means ‘Son of Suibhne’. It’s possible that the ‘Suibhne’ in question is ‘Suibne mac Colmáin’ – an Irish king.

Key info about the surname Sweeney

• Pronunciation : Swee-knee
• Meaning : Pleasant
• Famous Sweeneys : Alison Sweeney (American TV actress)

20. Connolly

Regularly listed amongst the most common Irish second names is Connolly , the anglicised form of ‘Ó Conghalaigh’. It comes from the name ‘Conghal’ which translates to ‘Fierce as a hound’.

Key info about the surname Connolly

• Pronunciation : Con-o-lee
• Meaning : Fierce as a hound
• Famous Connollys : Billy Connolly (comedian)

More common Irish surnames

The final section of our guide tackles the most common Irish last names. This is where you’ll find your Donovans and your Flynns.

Below, you’ll discover the origins behind each of the various popular Irish surnames, how to pronounce them and famous people with the same Irish surnames.

Flynn is anglicised from ‘Ó Floinn’. The Flynns were descendants of Lugaid Mac Con – a High King of Ireland. They are also descendants of the second wave of Celts that arrived to Ireland between 500 and 100 BC.

Key info about the surname Flynn

• Pronunciation : Flinn
• Meaning : Son of the red headed one
• Famous Flynns : Barbara Flynn (actress)

Another of the more common Irish last names, the name Donovan comes from ‘Donnubán mac Cathail’ – a 10th century ruler of a kingdom located in modern day Limerick.

Key info about the surname Donovan

• Pronunciation : Don-o-van
• Meaning : Descendant of the dark brown-haired chieftain
• Famous Donovans : Jason Donovan (Aussie actor and singer)

Regan is a common Irish surname, particularly in Waterford. Anglicised form ‘Ó Riagáin’, the O’Regans of Meath were one of the Four Tribes of Tara. One of the most notable ‘Regans’ was ‘Morice Regan’ an interpreter for Diarmaid MacMurchada – the King of Leinster. 

Key info about the surname Regan

• Pronunciation : Ree-gan
• Meaning : The kings child
• Famous Regans : Trish Regan (talk show host)

Whelan comes from the Irish surname ‘Ó Faoláin’ which loosely means ‘Wolf’. A common Irish last name in Kilkenny and Waterford, the Ó Faoláins were kings of the Deise – a social class that paid rent to landowners.

Key info about the surname Whelan

• Pronunciation : Whe-lan
• Meaning : Wolf
• Famous Whelans : Arleen Whelan (actress)

5. O’Neill

O’Neill comes from the Irish ‘Ó Néill’ which means ‘Descendant of Niall’. The O’Neills were a prominent family in ancient Ireland and they take their name from ‘Niall Glúndub’ – a 10th century High King of Ireland.

Key info about the surname O’Neill

• Pronunciation : O-Knee-all
• Meaning : Descendant of Niall
• Famous O’Neills : Martin O’Neill (football manager)

Tierney comes from the Irish surnames ‘Ó Tiarnaigh’ or ‘MacTighearnian’ which stem from the Irish word ‘Tiarna’ which means ‘Master’.

Key info about the surname Tierney

• Pronunciation : Tear-knee
• Meaning : Master
• Famous Tierneys : Malcolm Tierney (actor)

Egan comes from the Irish ‘Mac Aodhagáin’ meaning ‘Little bright-eyed one’. The Mac Aodhagáin were a family of Brehons and they played a part in early Irish law.

Key info about the surname Egan

• Pronunciation : Ee-ghan
• Meaning : Little bright-eyed one
• Famous Egans : Greg Egan (author)

Arguably one of the most stereotypical Irish American last names thanks to it being given to many cops in US TV shows, Muldoon comes from the Irish ‘Ó Maoldúin’ meaning ‘Descendant of the disciple of St. Dúin’.

Key info about the surname Muldoon

• Pronunciation : Mull-doon
• Meaning : Descendant of the disciple of St. Dúin
• Famous Muldoons : Patrick Muldoon (American actor)

9. O’Carroll

One of the more famous Irish surnames thanks to Brendan O’Carroll (from ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ fame), O’Carroll comes from the Irish ‘Ó Cearbhaill’. The meaning of the name is disputed, with some saying it means ‘Valorous in battle’ while others say it’s ‘Crooked mouth’.

Key info about the surname O’Carroll

• Pronunciation : O-car-oll
• Meaning : Disputed
• Famous O’Carrolls : Brendan O’Carroll (comedian)

Nolan is another of the more common Irish surnames and it comes from ‘Ó Nualláin’. In ancient Ireland, the Nolans were part of a tribe linked to the first Celts to ever settle on the island.

• Pronunciation : No-lan
• Meaning : Noble or famous
• Famous Nolans : Jonathan Nolan (screenwriter)

Phelan is another anglicised version of ‘Ó Faoláin’ which we mentioned previously. Ó Faoláin’ loosely means ‘Wolf’ and it is a common Irish last name in Kilkenny and Waterford.

Key info about the Irish last name Phelan

• Pronunciation : Fee-lan
• Famous Phelans : Paddy Phelan (Irish hurler)

12. Cosgrave

Cosgrave comes from the Irish ‘Ó Coscraigh’ which means ‘Son of Coscrach’. Coscrach was a High King who ruled Ireland for between 4 and 7 years.

Key info about the surname Cosgrave

• Pronunciation : Cos-grave
• Meaning : Son of Coscrach
• Famous Cosgraves : John B. Cosgrave (mathematician)

One of the more famous Irish last names, Molloy is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Maolmhuaidh’ which means ‘Proud Chieftain’. Descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the Molloys controlled what is now County Offaly.

Key info about the Irish family name Molloy

• Pronunciation : Mol-oy
• Meaning : Proud Chieftain
• Famous Molloys : Matt Molloy (Irish musician)

14. Flannery

Flannery comes from the Irish ‘Ó Flannghaile’ which means ‘Descendant of Flannghal’. This name is common in both Ireland and across the world.

Key info about the surname Flannery

• Pronunciation : Flan-ah-ree
• Meaning : Red valor
• Famous Flannerys : Jerry Flannery (rugby player)

15. McMahon

McMahon comes from the Irish ‘Mac Mathghamhna’. There were two notable McMahon families in ancient Ireland – the MacMahons of Oriel (Monaghan) and the MacMahons of Thomond.

Key info about the surname McMahon

• Pronunciation : Mack-mahon
• Meaning : Son of the bear
• Famous McMahons : Aline MacMahon (actress)

Tracy comes from the Irish ‘O’Treasaigh’ and means ‘Fighter’. This is one of the older Irish family names, having been mentioned in the Irish Annals in a section from 1008.

Key info about the surname Tracy

• Pronunciation : Tray-cee
• Meaning : Fighter
• Famous Tracy : Harriet Tracy (inventor)

17. Coughlan

Coughlan comes from the Irish ‘Mac Cochláin’ or ‘Ó Cochláin’. The Coughlans were part of The Delbhna – a Gaelic tribe that ruled modern day Offaly.

Key info about the surname Coughlan

• Pronunciation : Coh-glan
• Meaning : Son of the one with the cloak
• Famous Coughlans : Nicola Coughlan (actress)

Mcgee comes from the Irish ‘Mac Aodha’ which means ‘Son of Aodh’. The name first emerged in counties Tyrone and Donegal. The McGees were a clan of the Ulaid at one point – a Gaelic kingdom in the north east of Ireland.

Key info about the surname Mcgee

• Meaning : Son of Aodh
• Famous Mcgees : Kirsty McGee (singer-songwriter)

19. Hennessy

Hennessy is the anglicised version of  ‘Ó hAonghusa’. Two notable Ó hAonghusa families were based in Westmeath and Cork. This is one of the more famous Irish surnames thanks to Richard Hennessy from Cork who founded the Cognac brand.

Key info about the surname Hennessy

• Pronunciation : Hen-iss-ee
• Famous Hennessys : Terry Hennessey (Welsh footballer)

20. Keating

Keating comes from the Irish ‘Céitinn’ and it is believed to be of Norman origin. As per the 1901 census of Ireland, 4,530 people had the Irish last name Keating.

Key info about the surname Keating

• Pronunciation : Key-thing
• Famous Keatings : Ronan Keating (from Boyzone – one of the more famous Irish bands )

21. O’Driscoll

O’Driscoll comes from the Irish ‘Ó hEidirsceoil’. Ancestors of the Kings of Munster, the O’Driscolls were rulers of a part of modern day West Cork.

Key info about the surname O’Driscoll

• Pronunciation : O-driss-coll
• Meaning : Bearer of news
• Famous O’Driscolls : Brian O’Driscoll (rugby player)

Heany is the anglicised version of ‘Ó hEignigh’ which means ‘Horseman’. Heany is one of the older Irish surnames, having been mentioned in the Annals of Ireland from the 8th century.

Key info about the surname Heany

• Pronunciation : Hee-knee
• Meaning : Horseman
• Famous Heanys : Seamus Heaney, (Irish poet)

23. Dempsey

Dempsey is the  anglicised form of ‘Ó Díomasaigh’ which means ‘Descendant of Díomasach’. One of several Dempsey mentioned in the Irish Annals was Dermot O’Dempsy (1383) – Lord of Kinel-Maoilughra.

Key info about the surname Dempsey

• Pronunciation : Dem-see
• Meaning : Proud
• Famous Dempseys : Damien Dempsey (Irish singer)

24. McManus

McManus comes from the Gaelic ‘Mac Mághnais’ which means ‘Son of Magnus’. One notable McManus family in ancient Ireland descended from the son of a High King of Ireland by the name of Turlough Mór O’Conor (1119–1156).

Key info about the surname McManus

• Pronunciation : Mack-man-us
• Meaning : Son of Magnus
• Famous McManus : Alan McManus (snooker player)

Boyle is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Baoighill’ which means ‘Descendant of Baoigheall’. The O’Boyles were a Donegal clan that descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Key info about the surname Boyle

• Pronunciation : Boy-al
• Meaning : Descendant of Baoigheall
• Famous Boyles : Susan Boyle (singer)

26. O’Houlihan

O’Houlihan comes from the Irish ‘Ó hUallacháin’ and means ‘Proud’. The Houlihan dynasty hailed from what is now Galway and Offaly. One of the most notable Houlihans was Donal Ua hUallacháin, the Archbishop of Cashel (1171-1182).

Key info about the surname O’Houlihan

• Pronunciation : Oh-houl-ah-han
• Famous O’Houlihans : Joan Houlihan (poet

27. McGovern

McGovern comes from the Irish ‘Mág Samhradháin’ and it’s a name commonly found in Leitrim and Cavan. It means ‘The Son of Samhradhán’, the ‘Samhradhán’ in question being the one that lived in 1100 AD and that descended from ‘Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin’ an Irish High King.

Key info about the surname McGovern

• Pronunciation : Mac-ov-ern
• Meaning : The Son of Samhradhán
• Famous McGoverns : George Stanley McGovern (historian)

Keenan comes from the Irish ‘Ó Cianáin’ which means ‘Descendant of Cianán’. The Keenan clan were well known in Medieval Ireland for producing off-spring that went on to hold prestigious positions in the church.

Key info about the surname Keenan

• Pronunciation : Key-nan
• Meaning : Descendant of the faithful one
• Famous Keenans : Philip Keenan (astronomer)

Colgan is the anglicised version of ‘Ó Colgáin’ which means ‘Descendant of Colga’. In 2010, 3,651 Colgans resided in the USA.

Key info about the surname Colgan

• Pronunciation : Col-gan
• Meaning : Sword
• Famous Colgans : Jenny Colgan (novelist)

Duffy is the anglicised form of ‘Ó Dubhthaigh’ and it means ‘Descendant of Dubthach’. There are many notable ‘Dubthachs’ from ancient Ireland, including ‘Dubthach maccu Lugair’, a poet from the time of St. Patrick.

Key info about the surname Duffy

• Pronunciation : Duff-e
• Meaning : Descendant of Dubthach
• Famous Duffy : Keith Duffy (singer)

31. Kearney

Kearney comes from the Irish ‘Ó Catharnaigh’ which means ‘Descendant of Catharnach’. Other variations of the name include ‘Carney’.

Key info about the surname Kearney

• Pronunciation : Car-nee
• Meaning : Victorious
• Famous Kearneys : Rob Kearney (rugby player)

Crean is one of the more common Irish last names in the West of Ireland. This is an old name and it was mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters which dates to between 1632 and 1636.

Key info about the surname Crean

• Pronunciation : Creen
• Meaning : Descendant of Croidheagan
• Famous Creans : Tom Crean (Irish explorer)

33. Mulligan

Mulligan is one of the more unique Irish surnames meaning wise. Coming from the Irish ‘Ó Maolagáin’ it means ‘Grandson of the bald man’.

Key info about the surname Mulligan

• Pronunciation : Mull-ih-gan
• Meaning : Grandson of the bald man
• Famous Mulligans : Carey Mulligan (actress)

34. Geoghegan

Geoghegan , from the Irish ‘Mag Eochagáin’, means ‘Horse’ (from the Irish ‘Eochaidh’). The MacGeoghegans were descendants of both the King of Tara and Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Key info about the surname Geoghegan

• Pronunciation : Gyee-oh-gan
• Meaning : Horse
• Famous Geoghegans : James MacGeoghegan (historian)

Scully comes from the Irish ‘Ó Scolaidhe’ meaning ‘Descendant of Scolaidhe’. The name comes from the Irish ‘Scolaidhe’ which means ‘Scholar’.

Key info about the surname Scully

• Pronunciation : Scull-ee
• Meaning : Scholar
• Famous Scullys : Maurice Scully (poet)

Madden is the anglicised version of ‘Madadhan’ which means ‘Little dog’. The Maddens have links to Kildare (Athgarret, specifically) and Galway. The Galway Maddens were part of the Uí Maine – one of Ireland’s oldest kingdoms.

Key info about the surname Madden

• Pronunciation : Mad-in
• Meaning : Little dog
• Famous Maddens : Aodhán Madden (Irish playwright)

37. Hegarty

Hegarty comes from the Irish ‘Ó hÉigeartuigh’. Although the meaning of the name is unclear, it’s possible that it comes from the Irish ‘Eigceartach’ which means ‘Unjust’.

Key info about the surname Hegarty

• Pronunciation : Heg-arty
• Meaning : Unknown but possible ‘Unjust’
• Famous Hegartys : Mary Hegarty (opera soprano)

38. Tiernan

Tiernan is another variation of ‘Tierney’ which comes from the traditional Irish last names ‘Ó Tiarnáin’ and ‘MacTiarnaigh’. Tiernan comes from the Irish word ‘Tiarna’ which means ‘Master’.

Key info about the surname Tiernan

• Pronunciation : Teer-nan
• Famous Tiernans : Tommy Tiernan (comedian)

39. McKeogh

McKeogh comes from the Irish ‘Mac Eochaidh’. The McKeoghs were part of Dál Fiatach – a group that ruled part of north east Ireland during the Middle Ages.

Key info about the surname McKeogh

• Pronunciation : Mih-kyo
• Meaning : Son of Eochaidh
• Famous McKeoghs : Dave McKeough (Baseballer)

Gorman comes from the Irish ‘Mac Gormáin’ which means ‘Son of Gormán’. The Gorman clan were based in modern day County Clare and they are linked to the early Christianity in Ireland.

Key info about the surname Gorman

• Pronunciation : Gor-man
• Meaning : Dark blue or noble
• Famous Gormans : Edward Gorman (novelist)

FAQs about Irish family names

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are most common surnames in Ireland?’ to ‘What are the most popular Irish last names?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What is the most common surname in Ireland?

According to the Central Statistics Office, Murphy tops the Irish surnames list with more Murphys in Ireland than any other family name. The name can be found throughout all four provinces in Ireland.

What are some old Irish last names?

One of the oldest Irish surnames, and in fact one of the oldest in Europe, is ‘Ó Cléirigh’ (O’Cleary when anglicised). Two other old Irish family names,  ‘Ó Murchadha’ and ‘Ó Murchadh’, form the name ‘Murphy’, which is the most common surname in Ireland.

What are some typical Irish American last names?

Some of the more common Irish last names found in the Americas are McCarthy, Moloney, Murphy, Muldoon, Kavanagh, Martin, Hughes, Healy and Moore.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Michelle Gilmore Blaylock

Saturday 18th of February 2023

How common is the name Gilmore?

Jim Farrell

Friday 17th of February 2023

My grandmothers maiden name was Strarne, I can’t find any other trace of the name, can anyone enlighten me please. Jim

Eileen O'Sullivan Smith

Thursday 4th of August 2022

Thank you so much for writing this, Keith. My family came from Ireland to the U.S. near the turn of the 20th century. My grandmother was born in Lisdoonvarna in County Clare. Her family's name was/is Jordan. When I visited years ago, there were many Jordans living there. It is a lovely spa town, known for its Sulphur springs. However, I have never heard how Jordan became an Irish surname. Do you know anything about that?

Annette Lalley Ritzema

Monday 14th of March 2022

I don’t see any mention of my family - Lally of Galway. Any ideas?

Judith Finch

Sunday 13th of March 2022

Is Brenny an Irish surname? It was the surname of my great grandmother who was from Poland. We thought that it had been changed since she came to America. in the early part of the century but my sister found Brenny tombstones in the cemetary in the Silesia area where she was born and lived. This is a most informative and interesting website. My husband has MacDonald and Byrne in his recent ancestry. .

100 Irish first names and their beautiful meanings

Need some name inspiration check out the top 100 irish names and their meanings.

Looking for an Irish name for a little bundle of joy on the way or just inspired by the beauty of Irish names and their meanings? Here are 100 ideas for you! 

Here are today's 100 most popular Irish language baby names, with their meanings and pronunciations - 50 girl names and 50 boy names. See if yours made the cut, or peruse the list for some inspiration! 

Irish Girls Names:

1. Aoife ( ee-fa )

This name means beautiful, radiant or joyful, and likely derives from the Gaelic word ‘aoibh’ meaning ‘beauty’ or ‘pleasure.’ In Irish mythology, Aoife is known as the greatest woman warrior in the world. She gave birth to the mythological hero Cuchulainn’s only son, Connlach, and was the daughter of a king of Connacht. Legend has it, her marriage was arranged by St. Patrick himself.

2. Caoimhe ( kwee-va or kee-va )

From the Gaelic word "caomh," this name means gentle, beautiful or precious.

3. Saoirse ( ser-sha )

This name means "freedom" or "liberty." It has strong patriotic overtones and has only been in use since the 1920s.

4. Ciara ( kee-ra )

The feminine form of Ciaran, this name comes from the Gaelic word "ciar," which means dark. It implies dark features, like hair or eyes. In history, St. Ciara was a distinguished figure who established a monastery in Co. Tipperary during the seventh century.

5. Niamh ( neev or nee-iv )

Meaning radiance, luster or brightness. In Irish mythology, Niamh was the daughter of Manannan, the god of the sea - she was known as ‘Niamh of the Golden Hair’ and was usually depicted riding on a white horse. She was the lover of poet-hero Oisin; together they lived in Tir-na-nOg, the land of eternal youth.

6. Róisín ( ro-sheen )

This name means "little rose," and has been used in Ireland since the sixteenth century. When Irish patriotic poetry and song was outlawed in Ireland, Irish bands would disguise their nationalistic verses and love songs, and sing about Roisin Dubh ("Dark Rosaleen") as the poetic symbol for their country.

In Irish, Cara simply means "a friend."

8. Clodagh ( cloda )

Named for the River Clodagh, or Clody River, which runs through Co. Tipperary and Co.  Wexford . Like most Irish rivers, the name is associated with a female deity.

9. Aisling ( ash-ling )

This name means "dream" or "vision" from the Gaelic word ‘aislinge’ and refers to an “aisling,” which is a poetic genre of Irish language poetry from the late 17th century. It only started being used as a first name in the 20th century. The poetic genre has been personified in Ireland as a beautiful woman in peril.

10. Éabha ( ey-va)

This is the Irish form of Eve (Adam and Eve are Ádhamh agus Éabha in Irish). It means ‘life,’ but comes with all of the connotations of the name Eve, i.e. the mother of all the living.

11. Aoibhinn ( ee-van or ay-veen )

This name means pleasant, beautiful sheen of radiant beauty. It was a common name for princesses among the royal families of Ireland that has been revived in recent years.

12. Áine ( awn-ye )

This name comes from the noun aine, which means "radiance, splendor, brilliance." The name is connected to fruitfulness and prosperity. In Irish legend , Aine, the Queen of the Munster fairies, was one of the wives of Fionn MacCool.

13. Sadhbh ( sive, sigh-v )

This name mean can either mean sweet and lovely, or wise.

14. Aoibheann ( ay-veen )

This name means “of pleasant, beautiful sheen” or “radiant beauty.” It is often interpreted as a diminutive for the word Eve, or, “little Eve.”

15. Fiadh ( fee-a )

Fiadh is an old Irish word meaning “wild,” in the sense of a wild animal. It comes from the word for "wildlife," fiadhúrla.

16. Aoibhe ( ey-va )

This comes from the Gaelic word “aoibh,” which means beauty.

17. Laoise ( lee-sha )

This means "radiant girl," and is often Anglicized as Louisa. It also refers to light.

18. Eimear ( ee-mur )

This name means "swift." In the Irish legend , Eimear was the wife of warrior legend Cuchulainn, and was said to have possessed the six gifts of womanhood, which are beauty, a gentle voice, sweet words, wisdom, needlework, and chastity.

Also spelled Orlaith, this name means “golden princess” or “golden sovereign” in Irish. Both the sister and daughter of Brian Boru were named Orla.

20. Meabh ( Maeve )

This name means “intoxicating.” In the Irish legend, Meabh was the warrior queen of Connacht.

As the feminine form of the popular Irish boys’ name Sean, this name means “God is gracious.” The name can also mean “present.”

Looking for an Irish baby name? We got them!

22. Shannon

This name means “wise river.” The Irish form is Sionainn and it has many spelling variations, but it comes from ‘sion’ (wise) and ‘abhainn’ (river).

23. Sinead ( shin-ade )

This is the Irish form of the name “Jane” or “Jeannette,” and means “God is gracious.”

24. Gráinne ( grawn-ye )

From the Irish word “gran,” meaning grain or corn. In ancient Ireland, Grainne was the goddess of the grain or harvest. There is also a famous legendary Irish narrative, “The pursuit of Diarmuid and Grainne,” which is about the love triangle between Fionn MacCool, princess Grainne and Fianna member Diarmuid O’Dyna.

25. Kayleigh ( kay-lee )

This name means "slim and fair" or "slender," deriving from the Gaelic word for slender, which is ‘caol.’

This name means fair, white, beautiful. It is the feminine form of Fionn.

27. Emer ( eemer )

This name means "swift." In the Irish legend, Eimear was the wife of warrior legend Cuchulainn, and was said to have possessed the six gifts of womanhood, which are beauty, a gentle voice, sweet words, wisdom, needlework and chastity.

28. Siobhán ( shiv-on )

Siobhan is another form of the name “Joan,” and means “God has been gracious” or “God’s grace.” It can also mean “full of charm.”

29. Ailbhe ( alva )

This name is likely derived from the Gaelic word "albho" which means ‘white.’ In Irish legend, this was the name of a female warrior in the Fianna.

30. Mairead ( mi-rade )

This is the Irish form of Margaret. It means “pearl.”

31. Clíodhna ( clee-na )

This name comes from the word “clodhna,” meaning “shapely.” In some Irish myths, Cliodhna is the goddess of love and beauty. In some myths, she is the Queen of the Banshees.

32. Imogen ( imma-jen )

This name means “maiden” or “daughter” from the Gaelic word “inghean” It can also be translated as “innocent” or “blameless.”

33. Órlaith ( orla )

This name means “golden princess” or “golden sovereign” in Irish. Both the sister and daughter of Brian Boru had this name.

34. Caragh ( kara )

This name means “friend” and “beloved.”

35. Aoibh ( eve )

The Irish variant of “eve,” this name means beautiful and radiant.

36. Bláthnaid ( blaw-nid )

In Irish, “blath” means flower or blossom. It is the Irish version of Florence, derived from the Latin word Florentia, which means blooming or blossoming.

37. Cadhla ( ky-lah )

This name means beautiful, comely, and graceful.

38. Dearbhla ( durv-la )

In Irish, ‘dearbh’ means truth, and ‘ail’ means loveliness or desire. This name implies “true desire.”

39. Bronagh ( brona )

This name is rooted in the Irish word bronach, which means sad or sorrowful. Saint Bronagh is a venerated figure in Co. Down, where the name is popular.

40. Riona ( ree-ona )

This comes from "rionach," and means "queenly."

41. Sorcha ( sur-ka )

As the Gaelic form of the name Sarah or Sally, this name means “brightness” or “radiant.”

42. Nuala ( noo-lah )

This is the diminutive of the name Fionnuala, which means “fair shoulder.” Sometimes used as an alternate for the name “Una,” which means lamb.

43. Éireann ( erin )

This name means Ireland, as the genitive case of the word Eire. Commonly Anglicized as Erin.

44. Oonagh ( Una )

This name means lamb, from the Gaelic word uan. Sometimes the name is translated as “unity,” from “una,” the Latin word for “one.”

45. Síle (shee-la)

This is the Irish form of the Latin name Cecilia, the patron saint of music, and implies ‘pure and musical.’

46. Muireann ( mweer-in )

This name means "sea white, sea fair." In Irish mythology, this was the name of a 6th century mermaid caught by a fisherman in Lough Neagh. He brought her to St. Comghall, who baptized her, transforming her into a woman.

This name can mean “rough” or “not gentle.” In Irish mythology, she was the powerful and ambitious mother of Conchobar (Conor) MacNessa, King of Ulster.

48. Fionnuala ( fi-noola )

A variation of the name Finnguala, which means ‘fair shoulder’ or ‘white shoulder,’ from “fionn” meaning white and “guala” meaning shoulder.

49. Deirdre ( deer-dra )

This name comes from the older Gaelic form “Derdriu.” The meaning is possibly derived from the Celtic word for woman. In Irish legend, Dierdre was the name of a tragic character who died of a broken heart after Conchobar, the King of Ulster, killed her lover Naoise.

50. Eithne ( enya )

In Irish this name means “kernel of a nut or seed.” There were at least nine Saint Eithnes. It is also associated with the name Aidan, which means “little fire.”

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Irish Boys Names:

Usually translated as “lover of hounds.” It can also mean “high desire,” as derived from the Irish word “coachuhhar.” Conchobhar MacNessa was the king of Ulster; according to the legend, he was born on the same day as Christ .

Sean is the Irish cognate of the name John, and means “God is gracious.” It can also mean “wise, old.”

3. Oisín ( uh-sheen or o-sheen )

Meaning “little deer.” In Irish mythology, Oisín was a poet-hero, son of legendary warrior Fionn MacCool and the goddess Sive. His mother was turned into a deer by the Dark Druid, and she raised him in the forest for seven years; when his father found him while hunting, he recognized the boy as his own son and gave him the name “little deer.”

Patrick is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Padraig, from the latin Patricius which means “nobly born.” The patron Saint of Ireland.

5. Cian ( kee-an )

This name means “ancient,” or “enduring.” In the Irish legend, Cian Mac Mael Muad was the son-in-law of Brian Boru , both of whom were killed in the Battle of Clontarf.

Liam means a strong-willed warrior and protector. It is the short form of the Irish name Uilliam, which comes from the Frankish Willahelm. It is also the Irish cognate of the name William.

7. Darragh ( darra )

Some translate Darragh into “fruitful” or “fertile,” and some translate the name into “dark oak” or “oak tree.” According to the Irish legend, Daire Mac Fiachna owned the Brown Bull of Cooley, and his refusal to sell it to Queen Maebh was part of the cause for the fight between Ulster and Connacht.

8. Cillian ( kill-ee-an )

This name has several known meanings, including “war,” “strife,” and “bright-headed.” The word cille also means “associated with the church,” so the name is often associated with the word “church” or “monastery.”

9. Fionn ( finn, fee-in or fyon )

meaning “fair-headed,” “white” or “clear.” Other translations include “small blonde soldier” and “handsome.” Fionn MacCool was a central character in Irish folklore and mythology - he was the leader of the warrior band “The Fianna.” Known for being brave, handsome, wise and generous.

Finn is the Anglicized version of Fionn. Meaning fair, blonde, or “small blonde soldier.”

11. Rían ( ree-an )

This name means “little king” or “kingly.” Diminutive of the Irish word for “king,” which is “rí.”

12. Eoin ( owen )

This name means “young.”

Meaning “deer lover” or “friend of deer” as derived from the Gaelic “os” (deer) and “cara” (friend). In Irish mythology, Oscar was the son of the poet Oisin, and the grandson of the hero Finn MacCool.

The Gaelic form of the Latin “columba,” which means “dove.” It can also be translated as “the servant or disciple of Columba.”

The Anglicized form of Gaelic “Aodhan,” which means “little fiery one.”

16. Tadhg ( tige )

This name means “poet” or “bard” in Irish. It was the name of an 11th century King of Connacht.

17. Cathal ( ka-hal )

Meaning “strong in battle.” Derived from Gaelic “cath” (battle) and "val" (rule). It was the name of a 7th-century Irish saint.

“Gift from God.” Anglicized form of Sean.

19. Senan ( sennin )

This name means “little wise person,” “old” or “ancient.” Derived from Sean with a diminutive suffix.

This is a very old name meaning “little seal,” derived from the diminutive form of “ron” (seal). There were twelve saints named Ronan as well as an ancient king of Leinster.

21. Eoghan ( owen )

“Born of the yew tree.” Often associated with the Greek name “Eugenes.”

Meaning “red” or “rust-colored.” Borne by Rory O’Connor, the last high king of Ireland, who reigned from 1166-1170.

This name means “son of defilement,” from Gaelic “corb” (defilement) and “mac” (son). This was the name of a 3rd-century king of Ireland. Some think it means “charioteer.”

24. Odhrán ( orin )

Means “little pale green one,” derived from the Irish “odhra” (pale green, sallow), plus a diminutive suffix.

25. Ciarán ( kee-ran )

Meaning “little dark one.” Diminutive of Gaelic word “ciar,” which means black.

Little Liam? Baby Cormac? We've got all the most popular Irish boy's names.

This name comes from "daire" and means “fruitful” or “fertile.” In the Irish legend, Daire Mac Fiachna, who owned the Brown Bull of Cooley, refused to sell the bull to Queen Maebh, which was thought to be the reason for the fight between Ulster and Connacht.

In Irish, Shay means hawk or hawk-like and noble.

28. Donnacha (done-acka)

This name means "brown-haired warrior." Derived from the Gaelic “donn” (brown) and “cath” (battle). Brian Boru’s son Donncha was a High King of Ireland until his death in 1064.

29. Cillian

Derived from Gaelic “cille” and means “associated with the church.” Borne by several Irish saints.

30. Niall ( nye-al or niel )

This name can either mean “champion, passionate, or vehement” from the Gaelic "niadh," or “cloud” from the Gaelic word "neall." Niall of the Nine Hostages was a 4th century king of Tara.

31. Ruairí / Ruaidhrí ( rory )

This name means “red-haired king,” from “ruadh” meaning red, as in the red colored hair of foxes.

This name means high, noble and strong. From Gaelic ‘brigh.’ The name has been incredibly widespread in Ireland, in honor of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland.

This name means white, light, or pale. Some believe it to mean sallow, pale green, or “little pale green one.”

Likely derives from the Gaelic name Darragh, meaning ‘little oak.’ The oak tree is a powerful symbol to the Celts, representing nobility, strength, vitality, and wisdom.

35. Brandon

This name derives from the Irish “Bréanainn” which comes from the word “brenhin” meaning prince.

This popular name comes from the Gaelic word “carraig” which means rock or crag.

37. Colm ( collum )

This is the Gaelic variation of the Latin “columba” meaning dove.

38. Pádraig ( paw-drig, patrick )

Gaelic form of the Latin “Patricius” meaning “nobly born.” Patron Saint of Ireland.

“Ruler of the world” is the implied definition of this name, from “domhan” (world) and “all” (mighty).

40. Diarmuid ( deer-mid )

This name means “without enemy.” It has been the name of kings, heroes, and saints. In Irish legend, Diarmuid was the lover of Grainne, and the most beloved member of the warrior band the Fianna. “Dermot” is the Anglicized version.

This name can mean either “silent” or “fierce.” Lorcan was the name of Brian Boru’s grandfather as well as two kings of Leinster. It was likely used as the nickname for a “brave warrior.”

Meaning “fair-haired,” this name is associated with Saint Finbar, the patron saint of Cork .

This name means cub or puppy from the Gaelic word “cailean.” It can also be used as a diminutive of the name Nicholas, which means victor or victorious people.

44. Brendan

At least 17 saints bear the name Brendan, but perhaps the most famous would be Saint Brendan the Navigator. One of the rumors about the Navigator is that he was the first European to set foot on American soil, a thousand years before Columbus. Anglicized form of the Irish Breandan, meaning prince.

From the word “con” meaning hound or wolf. Some say the meaning can also be “swift-footed warrior.” With the suffix “-an,” it means “little warrior.” According to Irish legend, Conan Maol (‘Bald Conan’) was part of the Fianna warrior band.

46. Caolan ( keelin )

This name means "slender" from the Gaelic word "caol."

47. Aodhan ( aidan )

As a diminutive form of “Aod” which means fire, this name implies the meaning "born of fire" or "fiery." Popularized by Saint Aidan of Iona.

48. Tiernan

This name means “little lord.” Tiernan O’Rourke was a 12th C. Irish king.

49. Dáithí ( da-hee )

This is an old Irish name that means “swiftness” or “nimbleness.” Daithi, the last Pagan king of Ireland who ruled from 405-426 AD, had 24 dons.

This name comes from Fearghal, and means brave, courageous and valorous.

* Originally published in 2014. Updated in 2024.

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Home • Baby • Baby Names

50 Irish And Romany Gypsy Baby Names, With Meanings

Popular gypsy names with historical meanings for your one-in-a-million baby.

Arshi Ahmed did her graduation from Shri Shikshayatan College, Kolkata, and post graduation in English from Lovely Professional University. With nearly four years of experience, she specializes in wri... read full bio

Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including aca... read full bio

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been ... read full bio

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us .

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The word Gypsy or Gipsy traditionally refers to Romani people of Indo- Aryan origin. In this post, we have listed such Romany Gypsy baby names representing this ethnicity’s traditions, heritage, and history. According to the Oxford Dictionary, Gypsy refers to an ethnic wanderer and nomadic group from Asia who travels and lives in a caravan. While most Roma Gypsies originated in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, a few also have Irish ancestry. This is why their names conform to the nation’s rules they traveled to and do not resemble much to their original ancestry. Although Roman gypsies have varied originations, currently, many reside in America and Europe.

If you wish to choose a baby name with diversity, each of these Gypsy baby names has a story. In this post, we have focused on the culture, traditions, and history of Romans while considering their traditional traveling behavior. As you may notice, many of these names are common ones since Gypsy names are inspired from many places across the world.

1. Romany Gypsy Girl Names

Vadoma is probably the Romany feminine form of the Russian name Vadim. The etymologists believe that this name has its roots in the Slavic element vadic, which means ‘to know’. This is because the pagan magicians were called veduny, which means ‘the knowing ones.’

This moniker is derived directly by Romany. Its most famous bearer is Dame Roma Mitchell , the first woman Governor of an Australian state. It’s another name for Goddess Lakshmi and means ‘one with shiny hair’. Besides, it’s also the name of a place in Italy. So you have plenty of references here!

Charity is one of the three abstract virtue names along with Faith and Hope , but this one isn’t used much. This moniker was one of the top 500 names in the 1880s and 1950s. It remained in the top 1000 list until the year 1927, when it fell into obscurity. It later reappeared in the year 1968. In fact, it was one of the top 300 names in the 1970s and 1980s. We love this name for its freshness and rhythmic ‘y’ ending sound.

4. Florence

After being neglected for decades, Florence is getting love again, probably because of its floral feel and its connection with the Italian city. Even Florence Nightingale was named after her birthplace (Florence). You can even credit the red-haired Florence Welch for rejuvenating its image. For the nickname, Flora , Flossie, Flo, and Florrie would be best.

Lavinia is a prim and proper gypsy name, dating back to the classical mythology, where it was borne by the wife of Aeneas, the Trojan Hero. It also featured in G.B. Shaw’s “Androcles and the Lion”, Shakespeare’s “ Titus Andronicus”, and Henry James’ “Washington Square”. And it comes with the vintage nickname option, Vinnie, too.

6. Ethelinda

Ethelinda is the gypsy variation of the name Aethelind and means ‘noble maiden’. This moniker would appeal parents who like names with soft sound and admirable meaning. Yes, it does seem to be out of favor, but every great name bounces back, and so will Ethelinda. Besides, this name has its association with Ethelinda Vanderbilt Allen, daughter of US industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt.

This Old Testament name is used widely by the Romany gypsies. In the Bible, Kezia was the name of one of the three daughters of Job. This moniker was once associated with the slaves and is still well used in the African-American community. And with such a beautiful sound and meaning, ‘ cassia tree’, Kezia rightfully deserves emancipation.

This one’s pretty straightforward, isn’t it? This moniker is associated with the burlesque performer and thoroughly intellectual Gypsy Rose Lee and the musical that was made on her life. Besides, this moniker was also used by Shooter Jennings and Drea de Matteo as the middle name for their daughter Alabama.

This medieval variation of the name Esther featured in “The Scarlet Letter’s name”. It’s pretty neglected now, but has a chance of revival, following the wake of its original name, Esther. It has made literary appearances in Oscar Wilde’s play, “A Woman of No Importance”, Theodore Dreiser’s novel “An American Tragedy”, and John Irving’s novel “A Prayer for Owen Meaney”. Hetty could be used as the nickname for Hester.

This lovely Puritan virtue name has a quality that is deeply undervalued today. This moniker is distinctive and stylish, which is a beautiful and rare combination. Although it was hugely popular in the late 19th century, it’s on the way for a comeback. It rose over 140 spots between the years 2012 and 2013, making it one of the fastest rising names.

This gypsy variation of Naomi is finding favor with parents who are looking for a soft, biblical name with a melodic sound and a positive meaning (pleasantness). Naomie Harri, the actress, helped in the modernization of this name.

This rhythmic and interesting name is heard not just in Romany, but also in the Native American community. In fact, in the Gold Rush in Nevada and California, this moniker was so common that it became the generic term for a Native American woman. Mahalia Jackson , the great gospel singer’s birth name was actually Mahala. Halie would sound extremely cute as a nickname.

13. Leonora

This mellifluous name has a rich history. It’s associated with three opera characters; it’s the name of two characters played by the legend Elizabeth Taylor and it’s also borne by the renowned British artist and writer, Leonora Carrington.

14. Theodosia

This moniker may be buried deep in the attic right in the western world, but is hugely popular with the gypsies. We think it would make an excellent pick for parents who find Theodora too cute and feminine. She’ll also get to share her name with Theodosia Burr Goodman, the American silent film actress. The meaning of this name is ‘giving to God’.

This moniker isn’t very popular beyond the realms of the gypsies. It swims below the top 1000, with just 20 babies being named Selina last year. You can pronounce this name as sel-ee-na or sel-eye-na.

16. Queenie

Queenie started as a nickname for girls named Regina , but it’s used by the gypsies as a stand-alone name. We think it would work best as a nickname or middle name. Hester Maria Thrale was given the nickname Queenie by Samuel Johnson . Queenie means ‘queen’ .

This sleek gypsy name is also worth consideration. Even this moniker has featured in several literary works, including Milan Kudera’s novel “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” and Thornton Wilder’s play “The Skin of Our Teeth”. Its namesake would be Sabina Guzzanti, the Italian satirist, actress, writer, and producer.

18. Penelope

Penelope is actually a Greek name, but is very familiar with the gypsies. This classic moniker has been moving up the charts, thanks to the glamorous actress Penelope Cruz . This moniker is associated with the faithful wife of Odysseus in Homer’s “Odyssey”. It also has several novelists as namesakes – Penelope Gilliatt, Fitzgerald, Mortimer, and Lively. Instead of the usual Penny , pick Poppy or Nell as a nickname.

19. Patience

This passive virtue name, popular with the Romany gypsies sounds much fresher than Charity, Faith, and Hope. This name got a bump in popularity after appearing in “Catwoman”. Patience Philips, remember? In literature, this name appears in Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII”, in Gilbert & Sullivan comic operetta and an Anthony Trollope’s novel.

Most of you would relate this name to a character in the 70s sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and its spin-off Rhoda. But this name has a long history. It features in the New Testament as the mother of John. This name started on the popularity list at #161 spot and is still stuck there.

21. Rosella

This cutting edge name is frilly, cute, and sassy, all in one. You can see Rosella as a diminutive of the name Rose or as a nature name as Rosella is an Australian flower and a variety of Australian cockatoos. Its namesake is Rosella Falk, the Italian actress. But her first name is more commonly spelled Rossella.

22. Clementina

Clementine is the Spanish form of the name Clementine and means ‘mild, merciful’. This name stands out for its ‘eena’ ending. And the ending takes it from the realm of the popular song ‘Oh my darling, Clementine”. Clementina has several notable namesakes that include, Lady Clementina Villiers, the 19th century British beauty; Sofia Clementina Handler, the daughter of actor American Evan Handler; and Clementina Black, the British writer on trade unions and feminism.

23. Esmeralda

Esmeralda is a gypsy girl and the love interest of hunchbacked Quasimodo in Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She was born Agnes , but received the name Esmeralda due to the jewel she wore around her neck. This Portuguese version of Emerald has been famous with the Hispanic parents for long. It currently holds the #369.

This diminutive of Matilda is a surprise hit with the Malibu, Tribeca, and British parents. It currently holds the 90th spot on the Wales-England popularity list. It has also joined the Maisie , Milly , Lottie , and Kitty in the top 100 nickname list. Feminist favorite, Tillie Olsen is its most notable namesake.

25. Masilda

Masilda is probably derived from the name Mathilda and means ‘battle-mighty’. So if you love the name and the meaning of Matilda, but are scared that your child might run into another Matilda in her school, pick Masilda. We’re very sure no one would share her name at school.

26. Liberty

If you want a Romani gypsy name that still has a connection with America, pick Liberty. This one came to the surface following the American War of Independence. It caught up not just in America, but also in some Puritan colonies. It is now seeing a level of popularity that wasn’t seen since the end of World War I.

2. Romany Gypsy Boy Names

27. freedom.

This Romany gypsy baby boy name carries a strong philosophical statement. But at the same time, it might be a bit of a load for your boy to carry. Ving Rhames chose this name for his baby boy. It also featured in the book “The Host” by Stephanie Meyer. It was the name of a young boy who was born in the caves after the alien invasion.

This name is believed to be a Romany name, meaning ‘born with teeth’. We don’t know whether it’s true or not, but there is a Romani word ‘danior’ that means ‘teeth’. It’s actually a plural form of the ‘daand’, which means ‘tooth,’ which is further derived from Sanskrit word ‘danta’. This moniker would fit perfectly with the trend of names ending with ‘or’.

Manfri is the Romany form of the much-loved name Manfred. If Manfri sounds too casual to use as a given name, you can consider using this name as a nickname for Manfred. The meaning of Manfri is ‘man of peace’. We hope your child strives for peace, which seems to be vanishing with every passing day.

To be honest, we’re pretty surprised at the popularity of this English rank of nobility name with the gypsies. We feel that the reason this moniker is enjoying a revival as one of the fastest rising names is its association with Edward Duke Ellington, the American jazz musician. It was also chosen by TV couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic for their son.

With the D silent in its name, Django is the traditional language of the gypsies. It got fame via Reinhardt, the Belgian-born jazz guitarist. His nickname is Django, which means ‘I awake’ in Romany. It got further exposure and familiarity after the release of Quentin Tarantino’s film “Django Unchained”. We think it would make a musical pick for jazz aficionado.

32. Motshan

This Romany baby name is believed to have been derived from Russian and Yiddish name Movcha and Hebrew name Moses . Motshan has an evocative feel to it. It sounds exotic to the western ear without being attached to any particular race or culture. Motshan means ‘son’.

Vano is the Romany version of the name Ivan and means ‘god is gracious’. It’s one of the few Romany names that are beginning to be fully accepted into the European and American naming pool. The only concern with this name is that some parents might find it a bit heavy booted. Vano Bamberger is a famous gypsy guitarist.

This gypsy name, once popular in the 70s, is flowing back into favor with nature loving parents. Or you can opt for its variation Oceanus, which was generally given to the child born during the voyage of the Mayflower. Frank Ocean, the American singer, would be its famous namesake.

Timbo, the Romany variant of the French name Etienne meaning ‘crown’ feels oh so debonair. It’s classic with the Romany gypsies, but nearly unknown to the English speakers. Its namesake is Timbo Mehrstein, a contemporary Gypsy Jazz violinist. It doesn’t need a nickname, but you can shorten it to Tim if you want.

Image: IStock

This one’s for our nature loving members. Patrin is a Romany name meaning ‘leaf trail’. This moniker is believed to have been derived from Sanskrit term Patta, which means ‘leaf’. It’s rhythmic and intriguingly unusual, yet easily comprehensible. For the nickname, you can consider Pattin.

37. Menowin

Menowin is ubiquitous in the Romany gypsy culture. This name is believed to have been compiled using the German elements megin, which means ‘strength’ and win, which means friend’. But in case of Menowin Froehlich, its most famous bearer, his name was made up by his father to make it sound like Menuhin, the surname of the violinist Yehudi Menuhin.

38. Leander

This gypsy name is associated with the dominant figure in the Greek legend, who swam across the Hellespont every day to meet his beloved Hero, the priestess of Venus. This name is currently one of the top 40 names in Norway. Or you can opt for its variation Leandro , its appealing Spanish form.

39. Silvanus

Mythological names are quite popular with the Romany gypsies. One such name is Silvanus, referring to the Roman Tree God. This moniker is cute, lively, and elegant. And with the return of the classical names in the Western world, even Silvanus can resurface again. Silvanus Trevail, the Cornish architect is its famous namesake.

40. Pyramus

Here’s another mythological name well used by the Romany gypsies. Pyramus and his love Thisbe were young lovers in Babylon who were kept apart because of family rivalry. This Greek name is taken from the name of the river Pyramos, which means ‘fire’. It may be ancient, but does not sound as such.

Lash is the Romani variation of the name Louis and means ‘renowned warrior’. This Romani boy name had its heyday in the 19th century, particularly among them Americans. Its namesake is Lash Rushay Hoffman, the American wrestler who is better known by his screen name Stevie Ray.

42. Bohemia

The Romany people arriving France via Bohemia referred to as the Bohemians. So this name gives a straightforward reference to the gypsies. It also nods to the impoverished and artistic lifestyle of the gypsies.

43. Llewellyn

Llewellyn with the double ‘ll’ would make a bold pick for your son. It has some worthy namesakes like Llewellyn Fawr, fondly called Llewellyn the Great and Llewellyn Olaf, also called Llewellyn the Last. It’s also the name of a major character in McCarthy’s “No Country for Old Men”. Some appealing nicknames for this one include Llelo, Lleu, and Llew.

44. Nehemiah

This Old Testament name that was out of favor for centuries has suddenly reappeared, thanks to the Romany gypsies. It reached its highest spot #362 in 1998, and has been moving a few spots up or down since then. In the Bible, Nehemiah was the prophet assigned with the task of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem after the captivity of the Babylonians.

3. Irish Gypsy Girl Names

45. margaret.

Margaret, as in Margaret Barry was an Irish Traveler, and a renowned banjo player and singer. This rich and classy name has been borne by several saints and queens. It’s also an important family name, having taken one of the top spots in the first half of 1900. We recommend you this name for its classic status and strong sound.

This moniker refers to Nan Joyce, the Irish Travellers’ rights activist. She worked hard to improve the living conditions of travelers in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Nan is the diminutive of Nancy and means ‘grace’ . It received love in the English speaking countries via Nan, the protagonist of “The Nanny Diaries”.

Shelta is actually the secret language spoken by the Irish Travellers and means ‘a voice that moves’, moves in the sense of being affectionate, emotional, and endearing. The modern Celticists believe that it comes from the Gaelic word siulta, which means ‘walking’. This word was first recorded in 1876 by Charles Leland, the American ‘gypsiologist’ and the first countryman to come across the language of Irish Travellers.

4. Irish Gypsy Boy Names

48. patrick.

This name belongs to Patrick Dune, the Irish musician and seanchai. He was born into a family of Irish Travellers. Patrick is enjoying a renaissance in England, along with George and Charles. It’s also associated with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This name is currently at a healthy #164 spot.

Paddy Keenan is the son of John Keenan, the famous Irish Traveller. Most of the people consider Paddy as a generic term for the Irishmen. But not many know that it originated as a diminutive of Patrick. Mare Winningham used it for her son recently. We’d suggest you use Patrick as your son’s given name and Paddy as the nickname.

50. Bartley

Bartley Gorman V also referred to as the King of the Gypsies, was an Irish traveler and an undefeated knuckle-boxing champion of Ireland. The meaning of Bartley is ‘birch tree meadow’. This surname is inspired by the Bartley Redis in Hampshire and was first recorded in the mid of the 16th century.

We hope you find our compilation of gypsy baby names interesting. Which name would you select for your son or daughter? Share your views with us in the comment section below!

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

Explore our huge database for that one right name

Frequently asked questions.

1. What is the difference between a Roma and a Gypsy?

The words Roma and Gypsy are not synonymous. The word Roma means “man” and is used by several sub-groups who immigrated from North India to Europe in the ninth century to refer to themselves. On the other hand, “Gypsy” is a term coined by others to define the Roma communities. While some find the term Gypsy derogatory and a racial slur, it is accepted by some Roma communities ( 1 ) ( 2 ).

2. What are common Romany last names?

The Roma surnames vary based on the region and may be inspired by the country they live in. A few communities carry the common English surnames such as Smith, Taylor, Williams, and Scott . Traditional Roma surnames include Orsós, and Kolompár are also common ( 3 ) ( 4 ).

3. How do Romany Gypsy families pick baby names?

According to customs, Romany Gypsy names are chosen based on their historical significance, cultural or ethnic association, the familial passage of rights, traditional occupations, and specific physical or moral traits ( 5 ).

4. Are there any superstitions associated with Romany Gypsy baby names?

Roman gypsies consider the mother and baby impure until they are baptized and do not mention or leave any traces of the baby’s name out of the fear of being hunted by evil spirits. Once baptized, the baby is given three names, of which the first is believed to be the original identity of the baby and is hidden from everyone except the mother to protect the baby ( 6 ).

5. How has the Romany Gypsy naming tradition evolved over time?

The naming practices of Romany Gypsies have evolved over time. While traditional names from their language are still valued, modern Roma individuals now often opt for common names used in the country they live in. They consider both traditional and contemporary influences, resulting in a wider range of names that reflect their cultural identity while incorporating modern styles.

6. Are Romany Gypsy baby names typically gender-specific?

Romany Gypsy baby names can be either gender-specific or unisex. While certain names may be more commonly associated with boys or girls, there is flexibility in choosing names for either gender, depending on personal preferences and cultural traditions.

7. What are the differences between Romany Gypsy baby names and other ethnic baby names?

Romany Gypsy baby names are distinct from names of other ethnicities as they draw inspiration from the Romani language and culture. These names incorporate special words and references specific to the Romany community, holding unique meanings and connections significant to Romany Gypsy heritage and traditions.

This list of Irish and Roman Gypsy baby names can help you find a suitable name that your child will also adore when they are older. Irish and Roman Gypsy names are diverse, attractive, and unique. Further, these meaningful names will help reflect the child’s ancestry along with folklore. So read through each name and its meaning, and select a name that you think will best suit your little one’s personality. Remember, your baby’s name is a reflection of who they are. So pick a sweet, adorable, and relevant name that can add a spark to your munchkin’s persona.

Infographic: Adorable Romany Names

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

• Romany gypsy names have their roots in various cultures, such as Russian, Hebrew, and Irish.
• These names carry a rich heritage history and preserve family traditions.
• Some popular gypsy names are Leonora, Selina, Penelope, Rhoda, Duke, and Margaret.

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

• Their name: Roma? Sinto? Gypsy; https://sfi.usc.edu/education/roma-sinti/en/conosciamo-i-roma-e-i-sinti/chi-sono/da-dove-vengono-il-nome/il-nome-rom-sinto-zingaro.php#:~:text=%E2%80%9CRoma%E2%80%9D%20is%20the%20word%20(
• The Roma in Europe: 11 things you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask; https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2015/04/roma-in-europe-11-things-you-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask/
• Tracing Gypsy Romany and traveller ancestors at Surrey history centre; https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/history-centre/researchers/guides/tracing-gypsy-romany-and-traveller-ancestors
• Hungary: Traditional Roma names; name-changing practices after marriage; languages spoken by Roma including variations in spoken Hungarian (2015-December 2017) https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b9bc76b4.html#:~:text=Farkas%20stated%20that%20%22society%20thinks
• Oliviu Felecan; (2011); Gypsy Names: Anthroponymic Identity vs. Assimilation; Onomástica Biblioteca Tècnica De Política Lingüística http://www.gencat.cat/llengua/BTPL/ICOS2011/055.pdf
• Romani Customs and Traditions: Birth; Patrin https://www.oocities.org/~patrin/birth.htm
• Fact-checker

Arshi Ahmed MA (English)

Srija chanda burman ma, pg dip., praggya joshi ma, bed, latest articles.