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It's the opposite - British ancestry of any kind is often underestimated among Americans in favour of other European ancestries (including Irish in this instance).Originally Posted by Andullero
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The Welsh were forced to Anglicise their Surnames in the 16th century Under the Laws in Wales Act 1532-1542.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_i...Welsh_language
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Welsh?? are not Jones, Williams, Davies, Roberts, James, etc etc etc, English??
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"Most common Welsh surnames" here means "Most common surnames in Wales".
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And?
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Whatever. I don't really understand the difference between Welsh and English surnames, tbh.
Last edited by Universe; 05-01-2022 at 07:37 AM.
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Jones is the most common and iconic of Welsh surnames. All the other names are Welsh also but not sure about James.
What is interesting in Wales is they don't have the variety of surnames in Ireland or Scotland. Jones today is very common in all Anglosphere countries.
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These are the 100 most common surnames in Ireland.
Top 100 Irish surnames
1. Murphy
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Murchadha
Meaning: sea-battler
According to the Central Statistics Office, Murphy is consistently the most prominent surname across Ireland.
Murphy is one of the most common Irish family names and examples of famous Murphys include actors Cillian Murphy, Eddie Murphy, and Brittany Murphy.
2. Kelly
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Ceallaigh
Meaning: bright-headed
Famous Kellys include actor and director Gene Kelly, 20th-century artist Ellsworth Kelly, and actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly.
3. O’Sullivan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Súilleabháin
Meaning: dark-eyed
Famous O’Sullivans include actress Maureen O’Sullivan, actor Richard O’Sullivan, and singer Gilbert O’Sullivan.
4. Walsh
Gaelic Equivalent: Breathnach
Meaning: Welshman
The Central Statistics Office regularly records Walsh as one of the most common surnames in Ireland.
Irish TV personality Louis Walsh, singer and Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh, and American actress Kate Walsh are three famous people with the surname Walsh.
5. Smith
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Gabhann
Meaning: son of the smith
Smith is one of the most common surnames across the world with well known Smiths such as actor Will Smith, actress Maggie Smith, and singer-songwriter Patti Smith all having the popular Irish surname.
6. O’Brien
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Briain
Meaning: high, noble
O’Brien has been a prominent surname in Ireland for centuries. It is commonly found in County Tipperary and neighbouring counties.
Famous people with the surname O’Brien include comedian Conan O’Brien, actor Dylan O’Brien, and guitarist Pat O’Brien.
7. Byrne
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Broin
Meaning: a raven
By the mid-19th-century, Byrne was one of the most common Irish family names in Wicklow, recorded 1203 times.
Famous owners of the Irish last name Byrne include actress Rose Byrne, actor Gabriel Byrne, and singer and Westlife member Nicky Byrne.
8. Ryan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Maoilriain
Meaning: king
Ryan is a popular surname in County Tipperary.
Ryan is another popular Irish family name across the world. Famous owners of the name include actresses Debby Ryan and Meg Ryan, and comedian Katherine Ryan.
9. O’Connor
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Conchobhair
Meaning: patron of warriors
By the mid-19th century, Connor was the most common variant of this name. 5,377 families had this name and they were mainly based in County Cork, Kerry, and neighbouring counties.
Famous O’Connors include singer Sinéad O’Connor, novelist Flannery O’Connor, and retired United States Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O’Connor.
10. O’Neill
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Néill
Meaning: from Niall of
O’Neill is perhaps one of the most famous Gaelic surnames worldwide.
Famous O’Neills include Eugene O’Neill, who was the only American playwright to ever receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.
11. O’Reilly
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Raghallaigh
Meaning: the nine hostages
American journalist, author, and former television host Bill O’Reilly is one of the most famous people with the surname O’Reilly.
12. Doyle
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Dubhghaill
Meaning: dark foreigner
Doyle is one of the most common surnames in County Mayo.
Famous Doyles include writer and creator of Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle, and novelist and screenwriter Roddy Doyle.
13. McCarthy
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Carthaigh
Meaning: loving person
McCarthy is one of the most popular surnames in County Cork.
Famous McCarthys include Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Cormac McCarthy and actress Melissa McCarthy.
14. Gallagher
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Gallchobhair
Meaning: lover of foreigners
Gallagher is one of the most common hereditary surnames in County Mayo.
Two of the most famous Gallaghers are brothers and bandmates of Oasis fame, Liam and Noel Gallagher.
15. O’Doherty
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Dochartaigh
Meaning: hurtful
One of the most famous O’Dohertys is Irish stand-up comedian David O’Doherty.
16. Kennedy
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cinnéide
Meaning: helmet headed
Famous Kennedys include 35th president of the United States John F. Kennedy and his family.
17. Lynch
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Loinsigh
Meaning: seafarer, exile
Famous people with the surname Lynch are actresses Jane Lynch and Evanna Lynch, as well as actor Ross Lynch.
18. Murray
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Muireadhaigh
Meaning: lord, master
Famous Murrays include tennis player Andy Murray and actor Bill Murray.
19. Quinn
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cuinn
Meaning: wisdom, chief
One of the most famous people with the surname Quinn is actor Aidan Quinn.
20. Moore
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Mordha
Meaning: majestic
Moore is another of the most popular Irish names. Famous examples include actresses Demi Moore, Julianne Moore, and Mandy Moore.
21. McLoughlin
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Lochlainn
Meaning: viking
One of the most famous McLoughlins is author and television presenter Coleen Rooney (née McLoughlin).
22. O’Carroll
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cearbhaill
Meaning: valorous in battle
Famous O’Carrolls include British archaeological illustrator, painter, and sculptor John Patrick O’Carroll.
23. ConnollyGaelic Equivalent: ó Conghaile
Meaning: fierce as a hound
Famous people with the surname Connolly include comedian Billy Connolly and musician Brian Connolly.
24. Daly
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Dálaigh
Meaning: assembles frequently
Famous Dalys include American actress Tyne Daly, television host Carson Daly, and actress and TV personality Tess Daly.
25. O’Connell
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Conaill
Meaning: strong as a wolf
One of the most famous O’Connells is singer-songwriter Billie Eilish who was born Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell.
26. Wilson
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Liam
Meaning: son of William
One of the most famous Wilsons is actor Owen Wilson, as well as 28th president of the United States Woodrow Wilson.
27. Dunne
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Duinn
Meaning: brown
One of the most notable people with the surname Dunne is Irish entrepreneur and former director of Dunnes Stores Ben Dunne.
28. Brennan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Braonáin
Meaning: sorrow
Famous Brennans include conedian Neal Brennan and actor Walter Brennan.
29. Burke
Gaelic Equivalent: de Búrca
Meaning: from Richard de Burgh
One of the most famous people with the surname Burke is American actor Robert Burke.
30. CollinsGaelic Equivalent: ó Coileáin
Meaning: young warrior
Irish revolutionary Michael Collins is one of the most famous Irish people with this surname.
31. Campbell
Meaning: crooked mouth
One of the most famous people with the name Campbell is model and actress Naomi Campbell.
32. Clarke
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cléirigh
Meaning: clergyman
Famous Clarkes include actresses Emilia Clarke and Melinda ‘Mindy’ Clarke.
33. Johnston
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Seáin
Meaning: son of John
One of the most famous Johnstons is American actress Kristen Johnston.
34. Hughes
Gaelic Equivalent: ó hAodha
Meaning: fire
Notable Hughes’ include American business magnate Howard Hughes, and poet and activist Langston Hughes.
35. O’Farrell
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Fearghail
Meaning: man of valour
The most famous O’Farrell is actress Bernadette O’Farrell.
36. Fitzgerald
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Gearailt
Meaning: spear rule
Famous Fitzgeralds include singer Ella Fitzgerald and writer F. Scott Fizgerald.
37. Brown
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac an Bhreithiún
Meaning: son of the brehon (judge)
Brown is another common Irish surname. Famous people with this surname include singers James Brown and Chris Brown.
38. Martin
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Mháirtín
Meaning: devotee of Saint Martin
Famous Martins include musician Chris Martin of Coldplay, and actors Steve Martin and Dean Martin.
39. Maguire
Gaelic Equivalent: Mag Uidhir
Meaning: dun-coloured
According to Irish history, the Maguires held Fermanagh from the 13th to the 17th centuries.
One of the most famous people with the surname Maguire is actor Tobey Maguire.
40. Nolan
Gaelic Equivalent ó Nualláin
Meaning: famous
One of the most famous Nolans is film director Christopher Nolan.
41. Flynn
Gaelic Equivalent ó Floinn
Meaning: bright red
Famous Flynns include actors Errol Flynn and Brandon Flynn.
42. Thompson
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Tomáis
Meaning: son of Thom
One of the most famous Thompsons is actress Emma Thompson.
43. O’Callaghan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Ceallacháin
Meaning: bright headed
Miriam O’Callaghan, RTÉ television and radio broadcaster, is one of the most well-known O’Callaghans.
44. O’Donnell
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Domhnaill
Meaning: world-mighty
In Ireland, singer Daniel O’Donnell is one of the most famous people with this surname.
45. Duffy
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Dufaigh
Meaning: dark, black
One of the most famous Duffys is rock musician Billy Duffy.
46. O’Mahony
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Mathúna
Meaning: bear-calf
Count Daniel O’Mahony was a general in the Irish Brigade and is one of the most famous people with the surname O’Mahoney.
47. Boyle
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Baoill
Meaning: vain pledge
Comedian Frankie Boyle, as well as musician Susan Boyle, are two of the most well known Boyles.
48. Healy
Gaelic Equivalent: ó hÉalaighthe
Meaning: artistic, scientific
Famous Healys include musicians Matt Healey and Una Healey.
49. O’Shea
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Séaghdha
Meaning: of fair complexion
Notable O’Sheas include actor Milo O’Shea and singer-songwriter Mark O’Shea.
50. White
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Bháin
Meaning: of fair complexion
Actress Betty White is one of the most famous people with this surname.
51. Sweeney
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Suibhne
Meaning: pleasant
English actress, singer, and television personality Claire Sweeney is the most famous person with the surname Sweeney.
52. Hayes
Gaelic Equivalent: ó hAodha
Meaning: fire
The most famous people with the surname Hayes were Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, and retired basketball player Elvin Hayes.
53. Kavanagh
Gaelic Equivalent: Caomhánach
Meaning: comely, mild
Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh is one of the most famous people by the surname Kavanagh.
54. Power
Gaelic Equivalent: de Paor
Meaning: the poor man
The most famous person with the surname Power is American film, stage, and radio actor Tyrone Power.
55. McGrath
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Craith
Meaning: son of grace
Irish actress Katie McGrath is one of the most famous McGraths.
56. Moran
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Móráin
Meaning: great
English journalist, author, and broadcaster Caitlin Moran is one of the most famous people called Moran.
57. Brady
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Brádaigh
Meaning: spirited
American football quarterback Tom Brady is the most famous person with the name Brady.
58. Stewart
Gaelic Equivalent: Stiobhard
Meaning: one who superintends
Stewart is a very popular Irish surname. Examples of famous Stewarts include actress Kristen Stewart, actor Patrick Stewart, and musician Rod Stewart, among many others.
59. Casey
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cathasaigh
Meaning: vigilant in war, watchful
The most well-known person by the name Casey is American journalist and former news anchor Whitney Casey.
60. Foley
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Foghladh
Meaning: a plunderer
Actor, director, and screenwriter Scott Foley is the most famous person by the name Foley.
61. Fitzpatrick
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Phádraig
Meaning: devotee of Saint Patrick
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NFL quarterback, was named the fifth ‘smartest athlete in sports’ by Sporting News in 2010.
62. O’Leary
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Laoghaire
Meaning: calf-herd
Television host Dermot O’Leary is one of the most famous bearers of the name.
63. McDonnell
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Domhnaill
Meaning: world-mighty
Musician and YouTube personality Charlie McDonnell is one of the most well-known McDonnells.
64. MacMahon
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Mathúna
Meaning: bear-calf
Australian model and actor Julian MacMahon is one of the most famous MacMahons.
65. Donnelly
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Donnghaile
Meaning: brown valour
Actress Meg Donnelly and Declan Donnelly, one half of the comedy duo Ant and Dec, are two famous bearers of the name Donnelly.
66. Regan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Riagáin
Meaning: little king
Famous Regans include actress Bridget Regan and talk-show host Trish Regan.
67. Donovan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Donnabháin
Meaning: brown, black
Australian actor Jason Donovan is one of the most famous people with the surname Donovan.
68. Burns
Meaning: from Scottish Burness
Scottish poet and lyricist Robbie Burns is one of the most well-known people called Burns.
69. Flanagan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Flannagáin
Meaning: red, ruddy
Notable Flanagans include actor Tommy Flanagan and actress Crista Flanagan.
70. Mullan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Maoláin
Meaning: bald
American soccer player Brian Mullan is one of the most famous people with the surname Mullan.
71. Barry
Gaelic Equivalent: de Barra
Meaning: Cambro-Norman name
John Barry, who composed the scores for 11 James Bond films is one of the most famous people with the name Barry.
72. Kane
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Catháin
Meaning: battler
Actress Chelsea Kane is one of the most well-known Kanes.
73. Robinson
Meaning: son of Robert
Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, is one of the most well-known Irish Robinsons.
74. Cunningham
Meaning: Scottish name
Notable Cunninghams include American professional basketball player Dante Cunningham and football quarterback Randall Cunningham.
75. Griffin
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Gríofa
Meaning: Welsh: Gruffudd
Basketball player Blake Griffin and comedian Kathy Griffin are two of the most well-known people with the surname Griffin.
76. Kenny
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cionaoith
Meaning: fire sprung
British actress and screenwriter Emer Kenny is one of the most well-known Kennys.
77. Sheehan
Gaelic Equivalent: O’Siodhachain
Meaning: peaceful
Famous Sheehans include bass guitarist Billy Sheehan and American writer Susan Sheehan.
78. Ward
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac an Bhaird
Meaning: son of the bard
X-Factor winner Shane Ward is one of the most well-known Wards.
79. Whelan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Faoláin
Meaning: wolf
Leo Whelan was an acclaimed Irish portrait painter.
80. Lyons
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Laighin
Meaning: grey
Notable Lyons include Australian politician Joseph Lyons and actor David Lyons.
81. Reid
Meaning: red haired / ruddy complexion
Famous Reids include actress Tara Reid, TV presenter Susanna Reid, and retired American attorney Harry Reid.
82. Graham
Meaning: grey home
Actress Lauren Graham is one of the most famous Grahams.
83. Higgins
Gaelic Equivalent: ó hUiginn
Northern Irish football player Alex Higgins is one of the most well-known people with this surname.
84. Cullen
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cuilinn
Meaning: holly
The name Cullen is best known from the fictional family of the Twilight book and film series.
85. Keane
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Catháin
Actresses Kerrie Keane and Dolores Keane, as well as football manager Roy Keane, are three of the most famous Keanes.
86. King
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Cionga
American blues guitarist B. B. King is one of the most famous people with this surname.
87. Maher
Gaelic Equivalent: Meagher
Meaning: fine, majestic
American comedian, political commentator, and television host William Maher is one of the most well-known Mahers.
88. MacKenna
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Cionaoith
Meaning: fire-sprung
T. P. McKenna was an Irish actor from County Cavan and is one of the most well-known of this name.
89. Bell
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Mhaoil
Actress Kristen Bell is one of the most famous people with this name.
90. Scott
Meaning: a Scottish gael
Scott is a very popular surname. The most famous being Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish patriot, writer, and poet.
91. Hogan
Gaelic Equivalent: ó hÓgáin
Meaning: young
American TV star Brooke Hogan and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan are two of the most well known Hogans.
92. O’Keeffe
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Caoimh
Meaning: gentle
Actor Miles O’Keeffe is one of the most famous people with this surname.
93. Magee
Gaelic Equivalent: Mag Aoidh
Meaning: fire
British politician, writer, and broadcaster Bryan Magee is one of the most well-known Magees.
94. MacNamara
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Conmara
Meaning: hound of the sea
Actress Katherine MacNamara is the most famous person with the surname MacNamara.
95. MacDonald
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Dónaill
Meaning: world-mighty
One of the most famous people with the surname MacDonald is singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald.
96. MacDermott
Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Diarmada
Meaning: free from jealousy
Famous McDermotts include actors Dylan McDermott and Charlie McDermott.
97. Moloney
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Maolomhnaigh
Meaning: servant of the Church
98. O’Rourke
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Ruairc
Famous O’Rourkes are child actresses and sisters Tammy and Heather O’Rourke.
99. Buckley
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Buachalla
Meaning: cow herd
One of the most famous Buckeys is singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley.
100. O’Dwyer
Gaelic Equivalent: ó Dubhuir
Meaning: black
O’Dwyer is a popular Irish name in Australia with cricketer Edmund Thomas O’Dwyer and National Rugby League player Luke O’Dwyer both having the name.
https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/...-names-ranked/
Also note that these are the most common surnames in Ireland. They don't all obviously have an Irish origin.
Last edited by Grace O'Malley; 05-01-2022 at 08:24 AM.
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I have Jones, Hughes, Taylor, and further back Smith, James, Hill and Johnson in my family, but no reason to think any of them infer Welsh ancestry - although the Jones and James do come from Shropshire, a border county, which is semi-Welsh in a way.
Names common in Wales ≠ Welsh names, many names can simply be described as Anglo-Welsh, just as there are many Anglo-Scottish names (in my family Kirk is an example).
Also have one clearly ethnic Welsh surname in my family, but it's not on that list.
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There are Welsh names, English names, and Anglo-Welsh names. Some of the most common names in Wales are Anglo-Welsh, but associated heavily with Wales, and some are just English (like Smith, Johnson, Hill etc on that list). Distinctly Welsh (Celtic) names are things like Griffiths, Llewellyn, Lloyd, Owen, Morgan, Tudor, Davies etc which don't exist natively in England. Also some English-sounding names like Powell and Price, which are contractions of the Welsh ap Hywel and ap Rhys.
Last edited by Creoda; 05-01-2022 at 09:32 AM.
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