Ireland’s last names carry deep stories—some rooted in ancient Gaelic traditions, others arriving with the Normans, and a few that evolved through centuries of Irish influence. From the warrior origins of Phelan (Ó Faoláin) to the noble history of Plunkett (Pluincéad), each name offers a glimpse into the past. Even names like Pennyfather (Ó Peannabhatair), with its rare scholarly roots, and Prunty (Ó Proinntigh), tied to hospitality, reflect unique aspects of Irish life.

Our collection of Irish names includes both first and last names arranged by theme, along with a special selection of first names that begin with P.

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Authentic Irish Last Names that Start with P

⭐ Our Favourite: Phelan (Ó Faoláin)

Pronunciation: FAY-lan
First recorded: 10th century
Meaning: Derived from the Irish word faol, meaning “wolf,” this name was given to a powerful family in medieval Ossory (now Kilkenny and Laois). The Ó Faoláins ruled the region until the Norman invasion. Known for their resilience, they maintained influence even as Ireland changed, adapting to new rulers while preserving their Gaelic identity.
Why it’s our favourite: Few names capture the wild spirit of Ireland quite like Phelan. The connection to wolves reflects both the untamed landscapes and the fierce independence of the Irish people. The Ó Faoláins’ history as rulers and warriors only adds to its depth, making it a name with real weight and legacy.

🍀 Pádraig (Ó Pádraig)

Pronunciation: PAW-drig
First recorded: 13th century
Region: Connacht
Meaning: Derived from the personal name Pádraig, meaning “noble” or “patrician,” this last name is associated with families who claimed descent from followers of St. Patrick. The Ó Pádraig family held lands in Connacht, particularly in Galway. Over time, it evolved into a rare hereditary last name, often replaced by the more common Patrick in English.

🏰 Purcell (Puirséil)

Pronunciation: PUR-sel
First recorded: 1172
Region: Tipperary
Meaning: Of Norman origin, Purcell derives from the Old French pourcel, meaning “piglet,” likely a nickname or occupational name. The family arrived with the Normans in the 12th century and settled in Tipperary, becoming influential landowners. Richard Purcell was a noted Confederate leader during the Irish Confederate Wars of the 17th century.

🌊 Power (de Paor)

Pronunciation: POW-er
First recorded: 1170
Region: Waterford
Meaning: A Norman last name from le Poer, meaning “the poor” in Old French. The de Paor family settled in Waterford and became one of the dominant Anglo-Norman families in the southeast. They were known for their strongholds along the River Suir. The last name remains one of the most common in Waterford today.

⚔️ Prendergast (de Priondragás)

Pronunciation: PREN-der-gast
First recorded: 1169
Region: Wexford
Meaning: Brought to Ireland by Maurice de Prendergast, a key figure in the Norman invasion of 1169, this last name originates from a town in Wales. The Prendergasts became significant landowners in Wexford and Mayo. They intermarried with Gaelic families and were known for their involvement in Irish and Norman conflicts.

🎭 Plunkett (Pluincéad)

Pronunciation: PLUN-ket
First recorded: 12th century
Region: Meath
Meaning: Of Norman origin, the Plunketts became one of the most powerful families in the Pale, particularly in Meath and Louth. The name possibly derives from the French blanchet, meaning “white” or “fair-haired.” Notable figures include St. Oliver Plunkett, the last Catholic martyr executed in England in 1681.

🥖 Prunty (Ó Proinntigh)

Pronunciation: PRUN-tee
First recorded: 16th century
Region: Ulster
Meaning: Derived from proinnteach, meaning “banquet hall” or “generous,” this name was associated with hospitality. The Ó Proinntigh family were hereditary stewards in Ulster, responsible for feasting and provisioning in Gaelic lordships. The last name is most famous for Patrick Brontë (born Prunty), the father of the Brontë sisters.

🏹 Pender (Ó Pionndair)

Pronunciation: PEN-der
First recorded: 14th century
Region: Leinster
Meaning: Possibly derived from pionndair, meaning “strong” or “hardy,” the Ó Pionndair family were associated with military service in Leinster. The name remains rare but is linked to historical landowners and warriors. It was later anglicized as Pender, especially in Offaly and Wexford.

🌾 Parle (Ó Paral)

Pronunciation: PARL
First recorded: 15th century
Region: Wexford
Meaning: A last name of obscure Gaelic origins, Ó Paral is linked to the southeastern counties, especially Wexford. Some sources suggest it may derive from an old word for “ploughman” or “farmer.” The Parle family were traditionally agriculturalists and held lands in Wexford for centuries.

🔥 Peyton (Ó Peatáin)

Pronunciation: PAY-ton
First recorded: 13th century
Region: Connacht
Meaning: Derived from peatán, meaning “little noble one,” this name was historically associated with landowners in Connacht. It became more common in Galway and Roscommon, where the Ó Peatáin family held minor lordships. The name later merged with the English Peyton, found among Anglo-Irish families.

💰 Penny (Ó Peannaidh)

Pronunciation: PEN-ee
First recorded: 14th century
Region: Clare
Meaning: The last name Ó Peannaidh is believed to derive from the Irish word peann, meaning “pen” or “scribe,” possibly indicating a family of writers or clerks in medieval Ireland. Some theories suggest it may also be linked to the English coin, hinting at a role in trade or finance. The name became more common in Clare and Limerick, though it remains relatively rare.

🥊 Punch (Poinse)

Pronunciation: PUNCH
First recorded: 12th century
Region: Waterford
Meaning: Punch comes from the Old Norman-French ponche, meaning “stocky” or “strong,” likely referring to a warrior or a physically formidable ancestor. The Punch family arrived in Ireland with the Normans and established themselves in Waterford, where they became influential merchants. Over time, they integrated with Gaelic families, but their name remained distinctive.

Last Names with a Strong Irish Influence

🏰 Preston (Preastún)

Pronunciation: PRESS-tun
First recorded: 13th century
Region: Dublin
Meaning: Derived from Old English prēost tūn, meaning “priest’s town,” this name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. It became associated with Dublin, where the Prestons were influential merchants and later noblemen. The family produced notable figures such as Jenico Preston, the 14th Viscount Gormanston.

🌳 Parkinson (Ó Parcáin)

Pronunciation: PAR-kin-sun
First recorded: 15th century
Region: Antrim
Meaning: The name Parkinson means “son of Parkin,” a medieval diminutive of Peter. It arrived in Ireland with English settlers and became established in Ulster. James Parkinson, after whom Parkinson’s disease is named, had Irish ancestry. The last name remains common in Northern Ireland.

🖋️ Pennyfather (Ó Peannabhatair)

Pronunciation: PEN-ee-fah-thur
First recorded: 16th century
Region: Meath
Meaning: A rare name possibly derived from the Irish peann (pen) and bataire (battler), suggesting a historical connection to scribes or legal officials. It was recorded in Meath in the 1600s, where the family served as administrators. Today, it is nearly extinct as a last name.

⚔️ Piers (Ó Piarais)

Pronunciation: PEERS
First recorded: 14th century
Region: Kildare
Meaning: Of Norman origin, the name Piers is a form of Peter. The Ó Piarais family were prominent landowners in Kildare and later merged with Gaelic families. The most famous bearer was Patrick Sarsfield, whose full name was Piaras Sarsfield, a Jacobite hero of the Williamite Wars.

🐟 Pollock (Ó Pollaigh)

Pronunciation: POL-lok
First recorded: 13th century
Region: Donegal
Meaning: Originally a Scottish last name, Pollock comes from a place name near Glasgow. It was adopted by Gaelic families in Ulster, particularly Donegal. Some believe it derives from the Gaelic pollach, meaning “abundant in pools,” possibly referencing a location near water.

🚢 Poff (Póif)

Pronunciation: POFF
First recorded: 17th century
Region: Kerry
Meaning: A rare last name, possibly of Flemish origin, the Poff family settled in Kerry as part of a wave of European merchants and settlers in the 1600s. The name remains strongly associated with the Dingle Peninsula, where the Poffs were involved in fishing and trade.

🎩 Parsons (Ó Páirsigh)

Pronunciation: PAR-suns
First recorded: 16th century
Region: Offaly
Meaning: Parsons originates from the English term for a clergyman but became a hereditary last name. The Ó Páirsigh family were landowners in Offaly, known for their role in the Irish judiciary. The title Earl of Rosse, held by the Parsons family, is famous for its contributions to astronomy.

🔥 Patton (Ó Peatáin)

Pronunciation: PAT-un
First recorded: 14th century
Region: Tyrone
Meaning: A variant of Patten, meaning “descendant of Peatán,” Patton has strong Scottish and Irish roots. It was brought to Ulster during the Plantation period and became common in Tyrone. George S. Patton, the famous U.S. general, had Irish ancestry through this last name.

🦅 Piggott (Píogóid)

Pronunciation: PIG-ut
First recorded: 12th century
Region: Limerick
Meaning: A Norman last name from the Old French picot, meaning “pointed” or “sharp,” possibly a reference to a weapon or a personal trait. The Piggotts were prominent in Limerick and Tipperary, serving as landowners and military leaders.

📜 Philbin (Mac Philbín)

Pronunciation: FIL-bin
First recorded: 13th century
Region: Mayo
Meaning: An Anglo-Norman name that became Gaelicized, Philbin derives from Philip and was borne by a family of hereditary brehons (judges) in Mayo. It remains common in Connacht, with well-known figures like TV personality Regis Philbin hailing from this lineage.

🛠️ Plummer (Ó Pluiméir)

Pronunciation: PLUM-er
First recorded: 14th century
Region: Dublin
Meaning: The last name Plummer originally referred to a worker who installed lead roofing or plumbing, deriving from the Latin plumbarius. While of English origin, the name found its way into Ireland through trade and settlement, particularly in Dublin, where skilled tradespeople bearing the name established themselves. Over time, it was Gaelicized as Ó Pluiméir. Though rare, the name has remained in Ireland, with some families adopting it as a hereditary last name in the 17th century.

🖨️ Prenter (Ó Prionntair)

Pronunciation: PREN-ter
First recorded: 18th century
Region: Antrim
Meaning: Likely derived from the trade of printing, the name Prenter comes from the Old French prenteur, meaning “one who prints or engraves.” It became established in Ireland, particularly in Antrim, where printers played a crucial role in producing religious and political materials. The last name Ó Prionntair suggests a Gaelic adaptation, indicating the integration of the name into Irish-speaking communities. Though uncommon, it remains most frequently found in Northern Ireland today.

Picking the right Irish name can be a journey through history, with each name holding a special significance, so explore our lists of first and last names to find one that feels just right.