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 |
