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Is my Surname Irish or Scottish?
7Is your surname Irish? Maybe you’re not sure if it’s Irish or Scottish. You’re not alone, many of my readers ask me if their surname is Irish or Scottish. In this letter I hope to answer this question for you and give you some facts about Irish vs Scottish surnames.
Is your surname Scottish or Irish?
One of the most frequent questions I get asked by my readers is; ‘Is my surname Scottish or Irish?’ One of them (with the surname Scott!) asked “Is Scott Irish or Scottish?” (I had to read that one twice).
Now, I don’t know about her particular circumstances, but I thought it was a great question to open up some facts about Scottish versus Irish names.
My original (and somewhat smart!) answer to her was “If I told you Scottish comes from the Latin for Irish, but the surname Scott is one given by the English, and found in Ireland would you believe me ?”
And that kind of explains the complications around how surnames such as Scott evolve over time.
Like to add your Irish/Scottish surname to our list? Just signup for your free weekly Letter from Ireland by clicking here. – and we’ll let you know how to join in the fun.
The original Latin name for Scotland was “Alba”. The original Roman name for an Irishman was “Scotus”. Overtime, the area to the north of Scotland (where the Gaels were) became known as “Scotland” (or – land of the Irish!).
Back to the Scott surname.
In the highlands of Scotland, you had the Gaels (and the language they spoke was Scots Gaelic – an offshoot of old Irish) – and in the lowlands near the border with England, you had the non-Gael Scottish.
There was a particular clan in this border area that came to be known as the “Scotts” by the English – and they adopted the name as their own clan name. So, you could say that Scott is a Scottish name – named so by the English!
What about the Scotts in Ireland?
Well, many of this particular clan moved to the north of Ireland in the 1600s to escape religious persecution at the time. Today you will find Scott as a very popular surname in Northern Ireland. Mostly in counties Down and Antrim – centred in the Belfast and Lisburn areas and the Ards peninsula.
And one final “complication”! When the Scottish “gallowglass” came to Ireland (mercenary soldiers from the western isles of Scotland) – they were initially known “Albanach” in Ireland (Alba was the earlier Roman for Scotland). However over time as surnames were taken – Albanach became known as “Scott” in Ireland. So, do you have a Warrior Gallowglass surname? Click here to see if your surnames on our list.
So that’s the answer – Scott was originally a Scottish name, they just got named that by people from other countries!
Hopefully that gives you a clearer picture of whether your surname is Irish or Scottish. Want to learn more about where your Irish surname evolved from? Click here to find out the origins and journey of your Irish surname.
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Last names braley and neill any info?
Have a look at the menu on the right side that says “search by your surname”. Choose the surname O’Neill. I have added an explanation in one of the posts. You can add your own story there or ask further questions. Don’t know about Braley – do you have more info? All the best, Mike.
I am fascinated by these names and where they came from.I have been told all my life that my surname O’Neill means son of Neill and that in medieval times there wer 2 twin brothers who had a bargain that whichever ones hand touched the soil first that land would belong to him, so the one brother cut off his hand and threw it on the beach thus winning the bet. I realize that this must be a fable, but a lot of my relatives are a little daft Ha ha.Seriously I would really like to learn more about my Irish Heritage my fathers side. I know that myreat grandfather was born in Dublin in 1810, married a Bridget Delanny, they emigrated to theUSA to Howard County , Md. and he died 12/14 1895 in Savage, Md. Iam attempting to fit the pieces together now that I am retired. I love your site and enjoy reading about anything Irish
Nice story Mary! Delanny is probably Delaney in Ireland. Head to the menu on the right side of this page that says “search by your surname”. Choose the surname O’Neill. I have added an explanation in one of the posts. You can add your own story there or ask further questions. All the best, Mike.
Can you add the surname Coffey, Gaelic “O’Cobhthaigh” to your list of names to research?
Thanks, Raechel 🙂
For instance if you look at our family crest there is a nude man riding a dolphin at the top. I often wondered if we were related to the Scottish MacPhee clan who have said to be descended from a selkie.
Maybe but I don’t think so 🙂
Name added to list – very old Gaelic name from either West Cork, Galway or Meath/WestMeath 🙂
Yes, origin of names is fascinating. My married name Clothier was always believed to be French as handed down by my husband’s family; it turns out to be English per another family member who has done the genealogy
My Irish ancestors are Martin,* Calannon, Cummings from ? Tipperary, *Horn, and *Nagle. *I have found very little information on these names.
Sandra – Nagle – and old Norman name found in County Cork (Nano Nagle was the founder of the Presentation Sisters nuns).
Calannon – I think this may be Callinan? – from either counties Galway or Cork.
Horn – Couuld be an old English name (you do hear it currently in England).
Mike.
My Irish surname is Campbell. I know that this name was MacCampbell when original. I do not know what county this comes from but have always been told I was Scot-Irish decent. Does anyone know. Thank you Denise
Campbell has a few possibilities:
1. From the Irish “Mac Cathmhaoil” – this is an Irish sept from Tyrone.
2. Galloglass from the western isles of Scotland – came over after the 13th century mainly to County Donegal
3. Scottish name from the Clan Campbell (from the Gaelic cam béal) – the name of many later Scottish planters in Ulster.
So, the answer is – it depends 🙂 but if it was MacCampbell it could well be the county Tyrone. Mike.
We have the surname Atchison. Heard it was Scottish, then moved to Ireland and then back to Scotland. What do you know about Atchisons?
Hi Michelle – it is a Scottish name originally – but I am not familiar with its history for sure. Mike.
My maiden name was Acheson. I think they came from County Tyrone or Armagh
Hi Michelle: I am a retired university professor and this stuff is onbe of myb hobbies.
I have a couple of information sources for you
1. An 800+ page book “The Surnames of Scotland” by Dr. George F. Black, PhD, chief librarian for the New York Public Library. Most public libraries should have a copy in their collection. Failing that it is published by Birlinn Publishers of Scotland but readily available from amazon.com or their competitors. Dr. Black’s book is considered the definitive source book for Scottish (and Irish) names.
The problem with many Scottish and Irish names is the number of different spellings. My daughter-in-law’s mom was a McLaughlin. Problem for her: There are about 500 variants in the spelling of McLaughlin.
So it is with many Scottish names: so Atchison is also spelled Acheson, Aicheson, Aitcheson, Attchison, Atkinson. They all mean the son of Adam.
Other spellings are: Atkynsoun, Atkynson, Atzinson, Atzinsone, Attkinsoun and a number of others.
Celtic people did not believe in written traditions, only oral, so different pronounciation = different spelling.
2. A website http://www.electricscotland.com you can use their search engine to investigate any surname. You’ll be astonished at how much information they do have.
Slainte Mhath (Gaelic for “good health”
My mothers’ surname was Kenney my grandmothers’ was Long and My great grandmothers’ was Taaffe. I know the Taaffe name came to Ireland with the Normans possibly from Wales. It is the Kenney and Long surnames I have wondered what part of Ireland these names originate from.
Hi Mary,
Yep – your take on Taafe is spot on.
Kenney – This spelling is sometimes an English name in Ireland. The Irish Ó Cionaith is usally anglicised as Kenny. This comes from a nummber of different septs – but mainly from the Galway Roscommon area.
Long – now thats a mixed bag – can be Norman (de Long), English or Gaelic from the Irish Ó Lonaigh. There are a lot of these Gaelic Longs in the Cork area.
Mike.
Thank You,
I did have another name my 2nd great grandmothers maiden name was Lenehan. She was married to Mr. Long. Is this name also common in Cork? And is the name Elwood Scots-Irish?
Hi Mary – yep – Long (Ó Loinsigh) is very common in Cork.
Elwood is an AngloIrish name of English origin that you will find in County Mayo. Mike.
Am looking for any info on my maiden surname of BANKS, is it Welsh, Irish , or Scottish? I have been told it is each…can anyone please help me?
Hi Sheila – when Banks comes from Ireland, it can be a planter name OR a version of the Gaelic name Ó Bruacháin from County Offaly. So – the best way to answer your question is to tell us where your folks came from – emigrated from – and which county ideally. All the best – Mike.
No requests at the moment, just a quick thank you for your hard work your wonderful website and for putting up with all of us that keep intimidating you with our questions.
No problem Pam – you are welcome! Mike.
Good morning Gentlemen, we are enjoying a rare rain here in Northern California. My grandfathers name was Conner, and aim told his grandfathers name was Ferguson O’Conner. I would love to know from whence he came, as my wife (Mary Alexandra Renshawnewton ) and I are planning a trip to Ireland next year for our 50th wedding anniversary. Thanks for your great letters. I look forward to them arriving. All the best, Bill
Hi William – glad to hear you have some rain!
O’Conner/O’Connor in Ireland can come from a number of distinct places as “Connor” was a common first name and was adopted as a surname by a large number of tribes/septs.
These include:
Galway/Roscommon
Sligo
Kerry
Clare
Offaly
Mike.
Hello! I was wondering about the origins of my last name Ruiz. I’ve heard a lot of Spain, but Irish has also been in the mix. I keep getting told that I look Irish, but I have been having trouble tracing my roots. Thanks for all your help! Best, Maribel
My grandfather’so last name is Currant. He was born in Luton, Bedforshire. I’ve always been told that Currant is from Irish descent. Do you know anything about this name? Thanks so much. I love your website. And Happy New Year.
Why would the english give the name Scott to that border clan? You would think it would be because they were of a celtic/gael origin…it would be interesting to know if that clan spoke gallic….my surname is scott and we can only trace as far back as my great great grandfather who was from ireland and was catholic.
My surname is Scott as well, from Ireland, famine era, and Catholic. I have had a heck of a time finding anything about the family in Ireland. If you read surname books, it talks about the gallowglass migrantsand Scott border clan, but the problem here is that the name shows up in Various areas of England in the medieval era, shows up in other countries as well as Schotte or Le Scotte or Scotti or whatever, and in these countries, let us take Schotte, that name was given to many Irish priests. One book said it was first recorded in the sixteenth century, but that also seems wrong, as a recent article on Scottish patriotism, which I wish I could find, lists the name being taken by an Ayrshire merchant who settled in Dublin in the late thirteenth century. I wish I could find the article, but I am sure I saw muster rolls for the name in Dublin, being soldiers stationed there from England, where the name could also be Scut, meaning wanderer, and thus, completely unrelated to Scotland. If you look at Gryffiths evaluation, the name is common in Ulster and Dublin, true, but found in every county. I highly doubt many of us are related, and I would like to find a DNA study for the name in Ireland to join. My ancestors with the name who came to America in the laTe 1840s were illiterate, and the census records only indicated Ireland as place of origin, found them in Catholic parish records, but nothing else. so yeah, DNA might be the only way for me to find a more specific origin in Ireland. Would love to know if such a study exists.
Have you tried tracking them down through the Irish Census? Especially if you know the name of the wife/children
my name is Glenn Harris Watson,my older brothers name is Bruce Norman Watson, my little sisters name is Sharon Dale Watson,my fathers name is Melvin Dale Watson and my grandfathers name is Harris Melvin Watson. my moms maiden name is Drake the Drakes of Ireland.My grandma (my moms mom) maiden name is Pierce. Watson – Protestant, Pierce -Catholic. mom & dad divorced when i was 2 years old. ya, Catholics got the last lic.cheers!
We have lakey (maternal) and Dixon (paternal)
I don’t know why you Irish insist on branding all Highlanders as Irish since this idea is a complete fallacy. The Highlanders were made up of all sorts — mainly Picts (who were certainly not Irish but who, as far as I am concerned, more than any other ethnic group, define the Scots in appearance and character), Norwegians, French, etc. The Macleods are Norwegian, for example, and the Frasers French.
Where in Ireland does the name Griffin come from? This is my mother’s last name.
I am cooking for the place where John Ritchie has been born (1797). He was married to Margaret Nulty, had five children and moved in Québec (Canada) in 1847. My search has been vain up today. Many thanks to whoever can help me.
You never answered the topic!
Do my Gealogy my grandmothers parents names are Waugh and Schofield.
Trying to find out if Schofield is Irish or Scottish.
THANKSfor your time!
I’ve always wondered about this. I know my last name is scandanavian, but never really understood where the break occurred since finley is irish and scottish and it has a million spellings. It’s like the Irish version of smith.
Aside from getting a dna test or tracking down my relatives to see who has any information on the potato boat my ancestors came across in… is there a way I can find out more information on when my grandparents came across the Atlantic? I know generally where they might’ve landed and I know all maiden names up to my great great grandparents. Is there a public database with I migration records dating back that far?
Have you checked the Irish census records?
Hello, I’m told we are of Scottish descent so I am wanting to do more research. Problem is, I’m not sure which side of my parents it comes from in order to know which path to take. Could you tell me how to get started on the right path? Thank you!
Thanks! My mom is a Scott and her family hails from Cork.
Hope you enjoyed reading about the Scott surname!
Thanks for sharing with us on The Letter!
Hi I was wondering if my family name is Welsh or more Irish.My family name is “Maltos” I was asking because I am Welsh and Galway Irish I hope you’ll respond
Last name McDaniel ? Would like some information.
Check out johngrenham.com to learn about your surname.
My Grand-dad was told his mother Mary Fury came from Mayo but I cannot trace her.
Have a look here Denise: https://youririshheritage.com/3-steps-to-tracing-your-irish-ancestry-back-to-ireland/
Just wondered if my surname is irish and if so do i have ancestory there. Thanks
Henry have a look here to check out the West surname in Ireland…
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=West
My last name is Mack. My family of course is divided. I remember my Grandfather saying that he was a Scott. Not Irish. My cousins all say Mack is Irish. I think it is Scottish. Could you give me any insight?.
Check out johngrenham.com Carol
My last name is Brooks
I read just a lol about my family’s tree in the past.saw their coat of arms& I’m so happy I truly belong somewhere! I’d love to know more about them.could u tell me?
Check out johngrenham.com to learn about your surname.
Am I Irish my last name is Campbell but it says Campbell originated in Ireland but my dad says that I’m Irish and it use to be mcampbell
Have a look here Gage to fill in a little more on your Campbell Ancestry
https://johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=campbell
My Sir name is Ireland am i Irish or Scottish
My name is Ireland , as my sir name is this Irish or Scottish
Stephen you are in luck as Mike has written a Letter from Ireland on your surname Ireland
https://forum.youririshheritage.com/topic/549-the-irish-surname-of-ireland/?tab=comments#comment-2870
Enjoy!
My surname is Crum and some say it’s Scottish some say it’s Irish how would I find out which one it really is? It’s very confusing
Brandy,
Have a look here and see what you think.
https://johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=crum
Carina.
Last name Burr. It last name Irish or Scottish.
Hi J,
Have a look here
https://johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=Burr
Carina.
My Mother’s “maiden name” was Crawford. I believe her ancestors
came from Donegal to America some time just before the American
Revolution. They eventually migrated to North Carolina and then
to Tennessee. I believe they were descended from Alexander
Crawford of Killybegs, Co. Donegal.
Thanks for sharing here Roger.
I have recently started trying to trace my family tree. I have been told that I am a great deal of Irish/Scottish but of course that doesn’t really tell me very much. My mother was a Helms and my father was a Morton, with his mother being a Rummage before marriage. Do you know of any of these names related back to Ireland or Scotland?
Start by logging on to the website electricscotland.com. There you can do a search for any surname. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how much information will appear.
Further check a book called The Surnames of Scotland by Dr. George F. Black, PhD who was the chief librarian for the New York Public library. The book is published by Birlinn Publishers of Scotland and is readily available from amazon.com or its competitors. Also most public libraries in larger towns and cities likely have a copy in their collection. Many scots originated as a tribe called The Scotti, a celtic tribe in the Dal Riada part of Ireland.Many emigrated to Scotland including my own ancestors who originated in County Clare Ireland and moved to Ayrshire Scotland around 600.
My maternal grandmother was a Gribben. Her mother was a Helms, whose mother before her was a Carr. I know my Carr/Kerr ancestors came from Lurgan, County Armagh. I have a book of Irish surnames that indicates Gribben is also from that area. Unfortunately, I have nothing to speak of on the Helms family.
Thanks for sharing this info here with us Jamie.
Mac, Mc, M’? The correct form is Mac, while Mc and M’ are simply contractions. My own family, mother’s side, in the past have all 3 forms in our family tree: MacMicking, McMicking, and M’ micking. The idea that Mac is Scottish while Mc is Irish is complete nonsense. Many websites will verify this. All 3 variations appear in both countries. A little research will show that most, if not all Scottish clans have Irish origins anyway. Further research will show that Scottish Royalty can be traced back to Brian Boru, King of Ireland.
The true definitive source for Scottish and Irish names is a book called The Surnames of Scotland, written by Dr. George F. Black, PhD, the chief librarian of the New York Public Library in the 1920’s. Dr. Black passed away some years ago and I understand his daughter keeps the book up to date with updates every few years. The book is a valuable resource and is published by Birlinn Publishers of Scotland. The book is readily available from amazon.com. In the book you will find the Irish origins of the vast majority of Scottish names. My mother’s ancestors, currently Mac/Mc/M’ micking and about 30 other spellings can be found in Dr. Black’s book referred to above. The clan’s origins are County Clare in Ireland where the surname was MacMiadhachain. Also of note the O’ tends to be used in Ireland almost exclusively and means grandson. Also of note until approximately the year 1000, daughers were Nic (Gaelic for daughter of) thus If MacDonald had a daughter, she would be NicDonald.
My son and daughter-in-law are both a mix of Scottish and Irish and the DNA testing services state that Scottish and Irish DNA is virtually identical. There is some indication that with advancements in DNA technology that it may, in future, be possible to nail down Clan DNA specifics.
This stuff is my hobby. I am a retired university professor.
Is the last name Mack Scottish or Irish? I know my ancestors that go back as far as 4 greats were German-bohemian but according to my dna along with my close relatives they also have Ireland and Scotland. Just trying to pinpoint on who I can reach out to for information or do research? Thanks
Hi, my mom’s maiden name is Burnside and my dad’s mom’s maiden name was Stout. My mom’s mom’s maiden name was Stovall. My dad’s surname is Dunlap. Are these Scots or Irish surnames?
I can never find my late husband’s surname in these articles/maps. It is Christie. His great-grandfather and great-uncle came to America about 1870, landing at New York City. David Christie stayed in NYC, but John Joseph Christie wound up in Henderson, Tennessee and later in Jackson, Tennessee, where he is buried. I would love to trace his parents in the homeland. Thank you for any help – I’m new to this!
Mary,
To help you reach back to your Irish homeland I suggest you check out our Green Room where we have specialist help available.
Why is an individual from Scotland called a Scot yet a person’s name is Scott with 2 t ?
My last name is Townsend, I’ve been told that it is Scot, but some argue it is Irish, or Welsh?
Here is the surname Townsend on a map from John Grenham
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=townsend
My family name is Regan my Great Grandfather and Grandfather came to America in 1879 from Ennis Ireland . I hold both Irish and USA citizenship an passports.
Lucky to have a link back through your grandfather Tim.
My last name is Cummins not sure if it is Irish
Have a look here Julie
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=cummins
Just take a look here to see all the Cummins families in Ireland!
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=cummins
My surname is McGillvery, pls tell me if it is irish or Scottish
None here in Ireland on this map in mid nineteenth century Ireland from John Grenham
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=McGillvery
What about Donegan and Nicholson and Looney?
Here is some info on Looney Elizabeth
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=looney
My father’s name was Dunagan. I am just beginning to search my ancestry. DNA says 80% Scottish, will have to keep digging.
I can’t find my surname of Thomasey. My DNA says I’m 84% Irish and 14 % Scottish.
May be a variation of the surname Pat.
Our last name is Omen my sister has done Ancestry research which shows that our great grandparents Alexander and Bridget immigrated in they .1860s from Scotland however I cannot find our name on any surname list
There is a chance that the spelling of your last name was changed over the years. It may have been Owen or Oren. My g-g grandfather was from Ireland – last name O’Caughey. One branch of his family (my third and fourth cousins) are now the Coy family. Somewhere in the early 1920s they changed the spelling of their name. There is also a branch of the O’Caughey family who changed their last name to Coffey. Just a thought….
I know my Whalen ancestors came from Ireland. Is the name still spelled WHALEN or is it spelled WAYLEN in Ireland?
You can see an answer to this query here Barkley G.
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=whalen
Family name is Crerand and I have been stumped for years on it. Family was from Donegal however there is a Loch Creran in Scotland. Don’t know if that means anything.
Lots of info at this link Kendra
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=crerand
My maiden name is Aull sometimes spelled Ald. I cannot find this name in any of the web sites mentioned in your letters.
Margaret I have found your rare surname here
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=aull
Our surname is Meehan. Irish or Scottish? What area of Ireland?
Check it out here Pamela
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=meehan
My mother’s maiden name is Nicholson. Is this a Irish or Scottish name
Have a look hereRobin to see where the surname is found in Ireland
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=nicholson
My married surname is McClintic. I have been doing genealogy for 10 years and have yet to get far back enough to determine whether these people came from Ireland or Scotland. It is the one branch that frustrates me most. That line just hit a total brick wall. Help!
Is Hunt an Irish or Scottish name? I have both in my DNA and my great-great-grandfather was born in Ireland.
See here for information on the Hunt surname:
https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=hunt