Celtic Last Names

These Celtic last names come from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, listed A to Z with the Gaelic or Welsh meaning behind each one. You will find O' and Mac names alongside Welsh names like Powell, Pritchard and Lloyd.

300 real surnames with meanings, A to Z.

A

Adamson

Son of Adam, meaning earth or man

Scottish
Ahern

From Ó hEachthighearna, descendant of the horse lord

Irish
Aitken

Scots diminutive of Adam, earth or man

Scottish
Alexander

From Greek personal name, defender of men

Scottish
Allan

From Gaelic or Breton personal name Alan, possibly little rock

Scottish
Anderson

Son of Andrew, patron saint of Scotland

Scottish
Angus

From Gaelic Aonghus, meaning one choice

Scottish
Armstrong

Border clan nickname for a strong-armed man

Scottish

B

Baird

From Gaelic bàrd, meaning poet or bard

Scottish
Barry

From de Barra, Norman family, or Ó Beargha, spear-like

Irish
Beattie

Diminutive of Bartholomew, Border clan name

Scottish
Bell

From the bell, a house sign or bell ringer

Scottish
Bevan

From ab Evan, son of Evan, the Welsh John

Welsh
Beynon

From ab Einion, son of Einion, anvil

Welsh
Black

Nickname for someone with dark hair or complexion

Scottish
Blair

Habitational name from Gaelic blàr, meaning plain or field

Scottish
Boland

From Ó Beolláin, descendant of Beollán, a Norse name

Irish
Bourke

Variant of Burke, from Norman de Burgh

Irish
Bowen

From ab Owen, son of Owen, well born

Welsh
Boyd

From Gaelic buidhe, meaning yellow haired, or from Bute

Scottish
Boyle

From Ó Baoighill, possibly meaning pledge or vow

Irish
Brady

From Ó Brádaigh, descendant of Brádach, spirited

Irish
Brennan

From Ó Braonáin, descendant of Braonán, sorrow or moisture

Irish
Brodie

Habitational name from Moray, possibly ditch or muddy place

Scottish
Browne

Norman origin, nickname for brown hair, a Tribe of Galway

Irish
Bruce

Norman origin, from Brix in Normandy, royal house

Scottish
Buchan

Regional name from the district of Buchan, Aberdeenshire

Scottish
Buchanan

Habitational name from Stirlingshire, house of the canon

Scottish
Buckley

From Ó Buachalla, descendant of the boy or herdsman

Irish
Burke

From Norman de Burgh, of the fortress

Irish
Burns

Dweller by a burn or stream

Scottish
Byrne

From Ó Broin, descendant of Bran, meaning raven

Irish

C

Cadogan

From Welsh personal name Cadwgan, battle glory

Welsh
Cadwallader

From Welsh Cadwaladr, meaning battle leader

Welsh
Cahill

From Ó Cathail, descendant of Cathal, battle ruler

Irish
Cairns

Dweller by a heap of stones or cairn

Scottish
Calder

Habitational name meaning hard or violent water

Scottish
Callaghan

Anglicised Ó Ceallacháin, little bright headed one

Irish
Cameron

From Gaelic cam sròn, meaning crooked nose

Scottish
Campbell

From Gaelic cam beul, meaning crooked mouth

Scottish
Carey

From Ó Ciardha, descendant of Ciardha, dark one

Irish
Carmichael

Habitational name from Lanarkshire, fort of Michael

Scottish
Carroll

From Ó Cearbhaill, descendant of Cearbhall, fierce in battle

Irish
Casey

From Ó Cathasaigh, descendant of Cathasach, vigilant

Irish
Cassidy

From Ó Caiside, descendant of Caiside, possibly curly haired

Irish
Chalmers

Scots form of Chambers, a chamberlain

Scottish
Charles

From Germanic personal name meaning free man

Welsh
Chisholm

Habitational name from Roxburghshire, water meadow for cheese

Scottish
Christie

Diminutive of Christian or Christopher

Scottish
Clancy

From Mac Fhlannchaidh, son of Flannchadh, red warrior

Irish
Cleary

From Ó Cléirigh, descendant of the clerk or cleric

Irish
Cochrane

Habitational name from Renfrewshire, possibly red brook

Scottish
Coffey

From Ó Cobhthaigh, descendant of Cobhthach, victorious

Irish
Collins

From Ó Coileáin, descendant of Coileán, young hound

Irish
Connolly

From Ó Conghalaigh, descendant of Conghalach, valiant

Irish
Connors

From Ó Conchobhair, descendant of Conchobhar, hound lover

Irish
Conroy

From Ó Conaire, descendant of Conaire, hound keeper

Irish
Conway

From Mac Conmidhe or Ó Conbhuidhe, yellow hound

Irish
Corcoran

From Ó Corcráin, descendant of Corcrán, purple or ruddy

Irish
Costello

From Mac Oisdealbhaigh, son of Oisdealbh, deer like

Irish
Coughlan

From Ó Cochláin, descendant of Cochlán, cloaked one

Irish
Cowan

From Gaelic Mac Eoghainn, or a mason or cave dweller

Scottish
Craddock

Anglicised form of Caradog, meaning beloved

Welsh
Craig

Dweller by a crag or rocky hill

Scottish
Crawford

Habitational name from Lanarkshire, crow ford

Scottish
Crichton

Habitational name from Midlothian, border settlement

Scottish
Cronin

From Ó Cróinín, descendant of Cróinín, little dark one

Irish
Crowley

From Ó Cruadhlaoich, descendant of the hardy warrior

Irish
Cruickshank

Nickname for a bow legged man

Scottish
Cullen

From Ó Cuilinn, descendant of Cuileann, holly

Irish
Cumming

Norman origin, from Comines in Flanders

Scottish
Cummins

From Ó Coimín, descendant of Coimín, bent one

Irish
Cunningham

Habitational name from Ayrshire district of Cunninghame

Scottish
Curran

From Ó Corráin, descendant of Corrán, spear or sickle

Irish
Currie

Habitational name from Gaelic currach, wet plain

Scottish

D

Daly

From Ó Dálaigh, descendant of Dálach, assembly

Irish
Daniel

From the Hebrew name, God is my judge

Welsh
Darcy

Norman d'Arcy, or Ó Dorchaidhe, the dark one

Irish
David

From the Hebrew name meaning beloved, patron saint of Wales

Welsh
Davidson

Son of David, beloved, a Highland clan

Scottish
Davies

Son of David, the patron saint of Wales

Welsh
Delaney

From Ó Dubhshláine, dark one of the River Slaney

Irish
Dempsey

From Ó Díomasaigh, descendant of Díomasach, proud

Irish
Devine

From Ó Daimhín, descendant of Daimhín, little ox

Irish
Devlin

From Ó Doibhilin, possibly meaning fierce or unlucky

Irish
Dewar

Occupational name for a keeper of a saint's relic

Scottish
Dickson

Son of Dick, a pet form of Richard

Scottish
Dillon

From Norman de Leon, or Ó Duilleáin, descendant of Duilleán

Irish
Docherty

From Gaelic Ó Dochartaigh, descendant of the hurtful one

Scottish
Doherty

From Ó Dochartaigh, descendant of the obstructive one

Irish
Dolan

From Ó Dubhláin, descendant of Dubhlán, dark defiance

Irish
Donnelly

From Ó Donnghaile, descendant of Donnghal, brown valour

Irish
Donohoe

From Ó Donnchadha, descendant of Donnchadh, brown warrior

Irish
Donovan

From Ó Donnabháin, descendant of Donndubhán, dark brown

Irish
Doran

From Ó Deoradháin, descendant of the exile or pilgrim

Irish
Douglas

From Gaelic dubh glas, meaning dark stream

Scottish
Dowd

From Ó Dubhda, descendant of Dubhda, the dark one

Irish
Dowling

From Ó Dúnlaing, descendant of Dúnlang, a Leinster name

Irish
Downey

From Ó Dúnadhaigh, descendant of the fortress holder

Irish
Doyle

From Ó Dubhghaill, descendant of the dark foreigner

Irish
Drummond

Habitational name from Drymen, Stirlingshire, ridge

Scottish
Duff

From Gaelic dubh, meaning dark or black

Scottish
Duffy

From Ó Dubhthaigh, descendant of Dubhthach, dark one

Irish
Duggan

From Ó Dubhagáin, descendant of Dubhagán, little dark one

Irish
Dunbar

Habitational name from East Lothian, summit fort

Scottish
Duncan

From Gaelic Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior

Scottish
Dunlop

Habitational name from Ayrshire, muddy hill

Scottish
Dunne

From Ó Duinn, descendant of Donn, brown or chieftain

Irish
Dwyer

From Ó Duibhir, descendant of Duibhir, dark tawny

Irish

E

Edwards

Son of Edward, meaning wealthy guardian

Welsh
Egan

From Mac Aodhagáin, son of little Aodh, fire

Irish
Elliot

Border clan name, possibly from Old English Elwald

Scottish
Ellis

From Welsh Elisedd, meaning kindly or benevolent

Welsh
Erskine

Habitational name from Renfrewshire, green rising ground

Scottish
Evans

Son of Evan, the Welsh form of John

Welsh

F

Fallon

From Ó Fallamhain, descendant of Fallamhan, leader

Irish
Farrell

From Ó Fearghail, descendant of Fearghal, man of valour

Irish
Feeney

From Ó Fiannaidhe, descendant of the soldier or warrior

Irish
Ferguson

Son of Fergus, meaning man of vigour

Scottish
Fife

Regional name from the kingdom of Fife

Scottish
Findlay

From Gaelic Fionnlagh, meaning fair warrior

Scottish
Finn

From Ó Finn, descendant of Fionn, fair or white

Irish
Finnegan

From Ó Fionnagáin, descendant of Fionnagán, fair one

Irish
Fitzgerald

Norman patronymic, son of Gerald, spear rule

Irish
Fitzpatrick

Anglicised Mac Giolla Phádraig, son of Patrick's devotee

Irish
Flaherty

From Ó Flaithbheartaigh, descendant of the bright ruler

Irish
Flanagan

From Ó Flannagáin, descendant of Flannagán, red or ruddy

Irish
Fleming

Ethnic name for a settler from Flanders

Scottish
Flynn

From Ó Floinn, descendant of Flann, red or ruddy

Irish
Fogarty

From Ó Fógartaigh, descendant of Fógartach, banished

Irish
Foley

From Ó Foghladha, descendant of the plunderer

Irish
Forbes

Habitational name from Aberdeenshire, field or district

Scottish
Forsyth

Possibly from Gaelic Fearsithe, man of peace, or a place name

Scottish
Foulkes

From Norman personal name Fulk, meaning people

Welsh
Francis

From the Latin personal name meaning Frenchman

Welsh
Fraser

Norman origin, possibly from strawberry, fraise

Scottish
Fyfe

Regional name from Fife, Scots spelling

Scottish

G

Galbraith

From Gaelic gall Breathnach, foreign Briton

Scottish
Gallagher

From Ó Gallchobhair, descendant of Gallchobhar, foreign help

Irish
Garvey

From Ó Gairbhith, descendant of Gairbhith, rough peace

Irish
Gavin

From Ó Gábháin, descendant of Gábhán, want or need

Irish
Geddes

Habitational name from Nairn, or from a pike fish

Scottish
George

From the Greek name meaning farmer

Welsh
Gethin

From Welsh cethin, meaning dusky or swarthy

Welsh
Gilchrist

From Gaelic Gille Chriosd, servant of Christ

Scottish
Gillespie

From Gaelic Gille Easbuig, servant of the bishop

Scottish
Gillies

From Gaelic Gille Iosa, servant of Jesus

Scottish
Gilmour

From Gaelic Gille Moire, servant of the Virgin Mary

Scottish
Gittins

From Gutyn, a Welsh pet form of Gruffudd

Welsh
Gleeson

From Ó Glasáin, descendant of Glasán, the grey green one

Irish
Glynn

From Welsh glyn, meaning valley

Welsh
Gordon

Habitational name from Berwickshire, spacious fort

Scottish
Gorman

From Ó Gormáin, descendant of Gormán, little blue one

Irish
Gough

From Welsh coch, meaning red, for red hair

Welsh
Graham

From Grantham in Lincolnshire, gravelly homestead

Scottish
Grant

From Norman French graund, meaning tall or large

Scottish
Griffin

From Ó Gríobhtha, descendant of Gríobhtha, griffin-like

Irish
Griffith

From Welsh Gruffudd, meaning strong lord

Welsh
Griffiths

Son of Gruffudd, meaning strong lord

Welsh
Gunn

From Old Norse personal name Gunnr, meaning battle

Scottish
Guthrie

Habitational name from Angus, windy place

Scottish
Gwyn

From Welsh gwyn, meaning white or fair

Welsh
Gwynne

From Welsh gwyn, meaning white, fair or blessed

Welsh

H

Hamilton

Habitational name from Hameldune in Leicestershire

Scottish
Hanley

From Ó hÁinle, descendant of Áinle, the beautiful one

Irish
Hanlon

From Ó hAnluain, descendant of Anluan, great champion

Irish
Harries

Welsh spelling of Harris, son of Harry

Welsh
Hay

Norman origin, from La Haye, meaning hedge

Scottish
Hayes

From Ó hAodha, descendant of Aodh, meaning fire

Irish
Healy

From Ó hÉilidhe, claimant, or Ó hÉalaighthe, ingenious

Irish
Henderson

Son of Henry, meaning home ruler

Scottish
Hendry

Scots form of Henry, home ruler

Scottish
Hennessy

From Ó hAonghusa, descendant of Aonghus, one choice

Irish
Herbert

Germanic name meaning bright army, Pembrokeshire gentry

Welsh
Hickey

From Ó hÍcidhe, descendant of the healer

Irish
Higgins

From Ó hUiginn, descendant of Uiginn, possibly Viking

Irish
Hogan

From Ó hÓgáin, descendant of Ógán, young man

Irish
Hogg

Occupational name for a swineherd or a young sheep

Scottish
Hopkins

Son of Hopkin, a diminutive of Robert

Welsh
Hoskins

From Osekin, diminutive of Osgod, common in Glamorgan

Welsh
Howell

From Welsh Hywel, meaning eminent or conspicuous

Welsh
Howells

Son of Hywel, meaning eminent

Welsh
Hughes

Son of Hugh, meaning heart or mind

Welsh
Hume

Habitational name from Berwickshire, hill or hollow

Scottish
Humphreys

Son of Humphrey, Germanic for peaceful warrior

Welsh
Hunter

Occupational name for a hunter

Scottish
Hurley

From Ó hUrthuile, descendant of the sea tide

Irish
Hutchison

Son of Hutchin, a diminutive of Hugh

Scottish

I

Inglis

Ethnic name meaning Englishman

Scottish
Innes

Habitational name from Moray, island or river meadow

Scottish
Irvine

Habitational name from Ayrshire, green river

Scottish
Isaac

From the Hebrew name meaning he laughs

Welsh

J

Jack

From the medieval personal name Jack, a pet form of John

Scottish
James

From the Hebrew name Jacob, supplanter

Welsh
Jamieson

Son of Jamie, Scottish pet form of James

Scottish
Jeffreys

Son of Jeffrey, God's peace

Welsh
Jenkins

Son of Jenkin, a diminutive of John

Welsh
John

From the Hebrew name meaning God is gracious

Welsh
Johnston

Habitational name from Dumfriesshire, John's settlement

Scottish
Jones

Son of John, meaning God is gracious

Welsh
Joseph

From the Hebrew name meaning God will add

Welsh
Joyce

Norman origin, from Breton personal name Iodoc, lord

Irish

K

Kane

From Ó Catháin, descendant of Cathán, little battle

Irish
Kavanagh

From Caomhánach, follower of Saint Caomhán, gentle

Irish
Keane

From Ó Céin, descendant of Cian, ancient or enduring

Irish
Kearney

From Ó Cearnaigh, descendant of Cearnach, victorious

Irish
Kearns

From Ó Céirín, descendant of Céirín, little dark one

Irish
Keating

Norman origin, from Cétyn, or Welsh Cethin, dusky

Irish
Kehoe

From Mac Eochaidh, son of Eochaidh, horseman

Irish
Keith

Habitational name from East Lothian, possibly wood

Scottish
Kelleher

From Ó Céileachair, descendant of Céileachar, companion loving

Irish
Kelly

From Ó Ceallaigh, descendant of Ceallach, possibly bright headed or strife

Irish
Kendrick

From Welsh Cynwrig, meaning chief hero

Welsh
Kennedy

From Ó Cinnéide, descendant of Cinnéidigh, helmeted head

Irish
Kenny

From Ó Cionaoith, descendant of Cionaodh, born of fire

Irish
Keogh

From Mac Eochaidh, son of Eochaidh, horseman

Irish
Kerr

From Old Norse kjarr, meaning marshy brushwood

Scottish
Kidd

Nickname from a young goat, for a frisky person

Scottish
Kirkpatrick

Habitational name meaning church of Saint Patrick

Scottish
Kirwan

From Ó Ciardhubháin, descendant of the black dark one

Irish

L

Laing

Scots form of Long, nickname for a tall man

Scottish
Lewis

From Welsh Llywelyn, or Germanic Ludwig, famous warrior

Welsh
Lindsay

Habitational name from Lindsey in Lincolnshire

Scottish
Llewellyn

From Welsh Llywelyn, possibly leader or lion-like

Welsh
Lloyd

From Welsh llwyd, meaning grey or holy

Welsh
Lynch

From Ó Loingsigh, descendant of the seafarer

Irish

M

MacDonald

Son of Donald, meaning world ruler

Scottish
MacGregor

Son of Gregor, meaning watchful

Scottish
MacIntosh

From Gaelic Mac an Toisich, son of the chief

Scottish
Mackay

From Gaelic Mac Aoidh, son of Aodh, fire

Scottish
Mackenzie

From Gaelic Mac Coinnich, son of the fair one

Scottish
MacLean

From Gaelic Mac Gille Eathain, son of John's servant

Scottish
MacLeod

Son of Leod, from Old Norse Ljótr, ugly

Scottish
Maguire

From Mag Uidhir, son of Odhar, dun coloured

Irish
McCarthy

From Mac Cárthaigh, son of Cárthach, loving

Irish
McDermott

From Mac Diarmada, son of Diarmaid, free man

Irish
McDonnell

From Mac Domhnaill, son of Domhnall, world ruler

Irish
McGrath

From Mac Craith, son of Craith, grace or prosperity

Irish
McLaughlin

From Mac Lochlainn, son of the Viking or Norseman

Irish
McMahon

From Mac Mathghamhna, son of the bear

Irish
Meredith

From Welsh Maredudd, meaning great lord

Welsh
Milne

Dweller or worker at a mill

Scottish
Moran

From Ó Móráin, descendant of Mórán, great one

Irish
Morgan

From Welsh Morcant, possibly sea + circle

Welsh
Morris

From Latin Mauritius, meaning dark skinned or Moorish

Welsh
Morrison

Son of Maurice, or Gaelic Mac Gille Mhoire

Scottish
Muir

Dweller on a moor, Scots form

Scottish
Munro

Possibly from Gaelic bun Rotha, mouth of the Roe

Scottish
Murphy

From Ó Murchadha, descendant of Murchadh, sea warrior

Irish
Murray

From Ó Muireadhaigh, descendant of Muireadhach, lord or master

Irish

N

Nolan

From Ó Nualláin, descendant of Nuallán, famous champion

Irish

O

O'Brien

Descendant of Brian, high king, meaning noble

Irish
O'Connell

From Ó Conaill, descendant of Conall, strong as a wolf

Irish
O'Connor

From Ó Conchobhair, descendant of Conchobhar, hound lover

Irish
O'Doherty

From Ó Dochartaigh, descendant of the hurtful one

Irish
O'Donnell

From Ó Domhnaill, descendant of Domhnall, world ruler

Irish
O'Keeffe

From Ó Caoimh, descendant of Caomh, gentle or kind

Irish
O'Leary

From Ó Laoghaire, descendant of the calf keeper

Irish
O'Malley

From Ó Máille, descendant of Máille, a Mayo chieftain

Irish
O'Neill

From Ó Néill, descendant of Niall, champion

Irish
O'Reilly

From Ó Raghailligh, descendant of Raghallach, possibly valiant

Irish
O'Shea

From Ó Séaghdha, descendant of Séaghdha, hawk-like

Irish
O'Sullivan

From Ó Súilleabháin, from súil, eye, possibly dark eyed or one eyed

Irish
Owen

From Welsh Owain, meaning well born or noble

Welsh

P

Parry

From ap Harry, son of Harry

Welsh
Paterson

Son of Patrick, meaning nobleman

Scottish
Phillips

Son of Philip, lover of horses

Welsh
Powell

From ap Hywel, son of Hywel, eminent

Welsh
Power

From Norman le Poer, the poor man or pauper

Irish
Price

From ap Rhys, son of Rhys, ardour

Welsh
Pritchard

From ap Richard, son of Richard

Welsh
Prosser

From ap Rosser, son of Rosser or Roger

Welsh
Pugh

From ap Hugh, son of Hugh

Welsh

Q

Quinn

From Ó Cuinn, descendant of Conn, chief or wisdom

Irish

R

Rees

From Welsh Rhys, meaning ardour or enthusiasm

Welsh
Reid

Nickname for someone with red hair

Scottish
Reilly

From Ó Raghailligh, descendant of Raghallach

Irish
Richards

Son of Richard, powerful ruler

Welsh
Roberts

Son of Robert, meaning bright fame

Welsh
Robertson

Son of Robert, meaning bright fame

Scottish
Ross

Habitational name from Gaelic ros, promontory

Scottish
Russell

From Old French rous, nickname for red hair

Scottish
Ryan

From Ó Riain, descendant of Rian, little king

Irish

S

Scott

Ethnic name for a Gaelic speaker from Scotland

Scottish
Shaw

From Gaelic sithech, meaning wolf, or a small wood

Scottish
Sheehan

From Ó Síodhacháin, descendant of the peaceful one

Irish
Sinclair

Norman origin, from Saint-Clair-sur-Elle

Scottish
Stevenson

Son of Steven, meaning crown

Scottish
Stewart

Occupational name for a steward of the royal household

Scottish
Sullivan

From Ó Súilleabháin, from súil, eye, possibly dark eyed or one eyed

Irish
Sutherland

Regional name for the southern land of the Norse

Scottish
Sweeney

From Mac Suibhne, son of Suibhne, pleasant

Irish

T

Thomas

From the Aramaic name meaning twin

Welsh
Thomson

Son of Thomas, meaning twin

Scottish

V

Vaughan

From Welsh fychan, meaning small or the younger

Welsh

W

Wallace

Ethnic name for a Welsh or Strathclyde Briton

Scottish
Walsh

From Breathnach, meaning Welshman or Briton

Irish
Watkins

Son of Watkin, a diminutive of Walter

Welsh
Whelan

From Ó Faoláin, descendant of Faolán, little wolf

Irish
Williams

Son of William, meaning resolute protector

Welsh

Generate random celtic surnames

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Results (6)

Mackie

From Gaelic Mac Aoidh, son of Aodh, fire

Scottish
Abernethy

Habitational name from Abernethy in Perthshire, mouth of the Nethy

Scottish
Behan

From Ó Beacháin, descendant of Beachán, little bee

Irish
Kavanagh

From Caomhánach, follower of Saint Caomhán, gentle

Irish
Bufton

Habitational name from Bufton in Radnorshire

Welsh
O'Riordan

From Ó Ríoghbhardáin, descendant of the royal bard

Irish

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Which families count as Celtic last names

Celtic describes a family of languages rather than a single country. Six regions are usually called the Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. This list concentrates on the first three, which account for most Celtic names you meet in the English-speaking world. Irish names such as Brennan and Behan, Scottish names such as MacLeod and Campbell and Welsh names such as Pritchard and Lloyd each grew from a different Celtic language.

Irish and Scottish Gaelic belong to the Goidelic branch, while Welsh, Cornish and Breton are Brythonic, and the split shows in the names. Gaelic names use Mac and Ó, while Welsh used ap or ab, which later fused into names like Powell from ap Hywel and Bowen from ab Owain. Cornish names often begin with Tre, Pol or Pen, meaning homestead, pool and headland, and Manx names like Quayle and Kermode are worn-down forms of old Mac names.

Colors, looks and character in the meanings

Many Celtic names began as a quick description of one ancestor. In Gaelic, dubh means dark, and it produced Duff, while donn, brown, gave Dunn, bán, fair, gave Bain, and ruadh, red, gave Roy. Welsh works the same way. Gwyn, white or fair, lies behind Gwynne and Wynne, llwyd, grey, behind Lloyd, and fychan, the younger or smaller one, behind Vaughan. Names like these probably began as a way to tell apart two men with the same given name.

Physical features show up too. Campbell comes from cam beul, crooked mouth, and Cameron from cam shròn, crooked nose, both leading Highland clan names despite their blunt meanings. Kennedy is traced to ceann éidigh, often translated as helmeted or rough head, and Doyle to dubh ghall, dark foreigner, a Gaelic term applied to Norse settlers. As you scan the meaning column, watch for these repeated roots, because they make the whole list easier to read and remember.

Finding and using names in this list

Irish names with O' sit under O and Mac and Mc names sit under M, since that is how the letters fall. The apostrophe in O'Brien is an English habit standing in for the Irish Ó, so you may also meet O Briain or Ó Briain. Mac and Mc are the same word and do not reliably separate Irish from Scottish families. The search box matches any part of a name, so typing leod or neill finds every form at once.

For fiction and games, mixing the three countries gives a broad Celtic feel, while sticking to one gives a sharper sense of place. A Welsh mining family might be Pritchard, Price and Bowen, an Irish farming family Brennan and Buckley, and a Highland household MacLeod or Cameron. If you want something less familiar, read the meaning column and choose a name whose sense suits the character, then use the generator below the list for a few more ideas.

Frequently asked questions

Are Celtic last names only Irish and Scottish?

No. Welsh names are Celtic too, and so are names from Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. The link is language: all come from Celtic tongues rather than English, Norman French or Norse. This list covers Irish, Scottish and Welsh names, the three largest groups.

What does ap mean in Welsh names?

Ap means son of, and ab is used before a vowel. Over time the prefix fused with the father's name, so ap Hywel became Powell, ap Rhys became Price, ap Richard became Pritchard and ab Owain became Bowen. It is the Welsh counterpart of the Gaelic Mac.

Which names mean red, dark or fair?

Roy comes from Gaelic ruadh, red, and Duff from dubh, dark or black. Bain comes from bán, fair, and the Welsh names Gwynne and Wynne from gwyn, white or fair. Lloyd comes from llwyd, grey. These color names once described an ancestor's hair or complexion.

Where do the meanings in this list come from?

Each meaning is based on the Gaelic or Welsh form the name grew from, such as Ó Braonáin for Brennan. Some names have more than one possible origin, and in those cases the list gives both, as with Barry, which may come from a Norman family or from a Gaelic name.