Surnames


Some local surnames and their origins - Sloinnte na háite agus an bunús atá leo

 Surname  Gaelic  Meaning
McKeown          Mac Eoin (Son of Eoin) originally associated with North Antrim
Dougan        
Ó Dúgáin 
Black hair or complexion from Irish, Dubh
Totten    
Ó Tuatáin
Originally an English surname now long established in Ireland
McCann Mac Cana (Old Irish: wolf cub, young warrior) Associated originally with her southern shore of Lough Neagh
Maguire
Mac Guidhir
(Dun or brown coloured) Originally associated with Fermanagh
McLarnon    
Mac Giolla Earnáin
(Devotee or follower of St Earnán). Long associated with the local area 
Bateson    
Béastun or Mac an Bhiataigh
Long established in the area. Can be of English or Irish origin
O’Hara
Ó hEara
A name associated with County Sligo. A branch of OHara’s migrated to mid Antrim several centuries ago
McAteer    
Mac an tSaoir
(Son of the highly skilled craftsman) An old Ulster name
Marrion    
Ó Mearáin
(Swift, lively) originally associated with County Monaghan
O’Boyle 
Ó Baoill
(Irish, Geall. a pledge or hostage) Orinally associated with Donegal
McAuley
Mac Amhlaoibh
(Son of Olaf) associated with the Maguires of Fermanagh
Nelson    
Mac Néill 
(Son of Niall) A name of Scottish origins settled in Ireland for centuries
Mulholland    
Ó Maolchalainn
(Devotee or follower of St Calann) Originating in Co Derry and hereditary keepers of St Patrick’s bell
Denvir    
  A name associated with the Normans who arrived in Ireland in the 1100’s
Quinn    
Ó Cuinn 
(Descendant of Conn) A common surname of Tyrone origin
Smith    
Mac Gabhann
(Son of the blacksmith) Often a translation of McGowan originating in County Cavan. Also a common English surname
McConville    
Mac Con Mhaoil 
(Son of the short haired warrior ) Associated with Oriel in South Ulster
Johnston    
Mac Seáin
(Son of John) Can be of Irish or English origin
Murray    
Ó Muirí 
(Muir: Irish. the sea) a common surname of both Irish or Scottish origin)
McElroy    
Mac Giolla Rua
(Son of the red haired servant) 
O’Kane 
Ó Catháin
(Catháin: a pet name) The leading Gaelic noble family of North Derry
Robb    
Mac Robb
A branch of the Scottish clan Mac Farlane
Heffron    
Ó hÉimhrín
Associated with Antrim and Down 
McKeague    
Mac Thaidhg
(Son of Tadhg ie old Irish first name)
McTeague
Mac Thaidhg (Son of Tadhg ie old Irish first name) 
Laverty    
Ó Laifeartaigh
Common in County Antrim
Morgan    
Ó Muireagáin
(Muire: a lord) common in County Down and Wales
McNulty    
Mac an Ultaigh
Son of the Ulster man
Mc Collum
Mac Colaim
Son of Colm ie dove
Butler    
De Buitléir
A powerful Anglo – Norman family from Munster
O’Neill 
Ó Neill 
(Descendant of Niall) powerful Ulster family from Tyrone
Devlin
Ó Doibhlin 
Originating in County Derry beside Lough Neagh
Small    
Ó Caoilte
(A descendant of Caoilte) Originating in Derry and Tyrone
Rice    
Ó Maolchraoibhe
An Ulster sept
Sweeney    
Mac Suibhne
(Pleasant) Scottish Galloglasses (mercenary soldiers) who settled in Donegal