20 Irish Surnames with Documented Anglicized Forms

Scope and source

This article presents a curated set of twenty Irish surnames that have documented anglicized variants. The surnames were selected from the 1923 edition of Irish Names and Surnames by Rev. Patrick Woulfe, which systematically lists how Irish surnames were rendered in English. The selection is not exhaustive; it is meant to illustrate the variety of anglicisation strategies used in Ireland. The surnames are ordered alphabetically by their original Irish form, and each entry notes the principal anglicized form(s) and the method of anglicisation (e.g., phonetic, translation, attraction, assimilation, substitution). All information is drawn from Woulfe’s work and the accompanying examples in the cited literature.

The surname list

How to read the list

The table shows the original Irish spelling, the most commonly recorded anglicized variant, and the method used to create that variant. The list is illustrative rather than quantitative; it does not reflect the frequency or distribution of these surnames in Ireland today. The anglicized forms are historically attested, meaning they appear in official records, parish registers, or contemporary publications from the period of widespread anglicisation (late 16th to early 20th centuries).

Patterns and context

Woulfe’s compilation demonstrates that the majority of early anglicisations were phonetic, simply spelling the Irish name as it sounded to English speakers. A smaller number of names were translated into English words that approximated their meaning, sometimes literally and sometimes loosely. Other strategies—such as attraction to a more common surname, assimilation to a familiar English name, or substitution with an unrelated but phonetically similar name—were also employed, especially when the original name was considered difficult or undesirable.

Dataset or selection limitations

The source is a secondary reference that compiles recorded anglicisations; it does not provide statistical counts or modern frequency data. Woulfe’s work focuses on Irish surnames that were already in use by the early 20th century, and it does not cover newer or less documented variants. The list is limited to the 20 names selected for illustration; many other Irish surnames have documented anglicized forms that are not included here.

Explore the surnames and begin research

Each surname listed can be investigated further by consulting parish registers, census records, and other primary sources that capture both the Irish and anglicized forms. Researchers should be mindful of spelling variants, prefixes (Mac, O’), and regional dialect differences when searching records. Beginning with the anglicized form can help locate early documentation, while exploring the original Irish form can reveal genealogical connections and clan affiliations.

Source and editorial status

All entries are based on Rev. Patrick Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames (1923). The article has not undergone a formal editorial review; the information is presented as a factual summary of the source material. Further verification against primary documents is recommended for genealogical projects.