40. McCauley. Scots Gaelic: There were two septs of this name; on Lewis in the Hebrides they were a sept of Clan MacLeod while in Dumbartonshire the McAuleys were a branch of Clan MacGregor. A branch of the latter sept accompanied the McDonalds to the Glens of Antrim in the early 16th century. Irish: A County Fermanagh sept who trace their descent from Donn Carrach Maguire, the first Maguire King of Fermanagh who died in 1302. (Brian Mitchell). McCauley was the 40th ranked surname in 1989 with 48 mentions. Pictured is BBC broadcaster Stephen McCauley.placeholder image
40. McCauley. Scots Gaelic: There were two septs of this name; on Lewis in the Hebrides they were a sept of Clan MacLeod while in Dumbartonshire the McAuleys were a branch of Clan MacGregor. A branch of the latter sept accompanied the McDonalds to the Glens of Antrim in the early 16th century. Irish: A County Fermanagh sept who trace their descent from Donn Carrach Maguire, the first Maguire King of Fermanagh who died in 1302. (Brian Mitchell). McCauley was the 40th ranked surname in 1989 with 48 mentions. Pictured is BBC broadcaster Stephen McCauley.

Derry top 40 surnames – does yours make the list?

By Kevin Mullan
Published 11th Sep 2023, 16:40 BST
Updated 16th May 2024, 17:40 BST

Have you ever wondered where your surname sits in the top 40 league table of most common patronyms in Derry?

Thankfully local genealogist and historian Brian Mitchell has the answer having sorted the Dohertys from the McLaughlins, and the Gallaghers from the Kellys, in his book ‘The Top 300 Surnames of Derry-Londonderry’, published by Clearfield in Baltimore in the United States.

The book is based on the 1989 Foyle Community Directory, which lists 1,860 unique surnames in Derry City.

Brian looked at the number of entries and ranked the surnames in order of mentions. Where is yours in the list?

3. Gallagher. Irish: This is the third most common surname in Derry. This County Donegal sept can trace its lineage to Conal Gulban, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Controlling extensive territories stretching from Raphoe to Ballyshannon they were the chief marshal in the army of O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell (Brian Mitchell). Gallagher ranks third on the list with 170 mentions. Pictured is acclaimed Derry singer, songwriter and actress Bronagh Gallagher.

37. 3. Gallagher.

3. Gallagher. Irish: This is the third most common surname in Derry. This County Donegal sept can trace its lineage to Conal Gulban, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Controlling extensive territories stretching from Raphoe to Ballyshannon they were the chief marshal in the army of O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell (Brian Mitchell). Gallagher ranks third on the list with 170 mentions. Pictured is acclaimed Derry singer, songwriter and actress Bronagh Gallagher. Photo: Archive

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2. McLaughlin. Irish: The second most popular name in Derry. Derived from the Norse personal name Lachlann this County Donegal sept can trace its lineage to Eoghan, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. In the 12th century the McLaughlins, from their Inishowen homeland, were High Kings of Ireland and patrons of the monastic settlement in Derry. From the mid-13th century the O'Neills of Tyrone ousted the McLaughlins as the leading power in Ulster. Some may be of Scottish descent from the Clan MacLachlan of Argyll (Brian Mitchell). McLaughlin ranks second on the list with 246 mentions. Pictured is legendary Derry City manager Jim McLaughlin.

38. 2. McLaughlin.

2. McLaughlin. Irish: The second most popular name in Derry. Derived from the Norse personal name Lachlann this County Donegal sept can trace its lineage to Eoghan, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. In the 12th century the McLaughlins, from their Inishowen homeland, were High Kings of Ireland and patrons of the monastic settlement in Derry. From the mid-13th century the O'Neills of Tyrone ousted the McLaughlins as the leading power in Ulster. Some may be of Scottish descent from the Clan MacLachlan of Argyll (Brian Mitchell). McLaughlin ranks second on the list with 246 mentions. Pictured is legendary Derry City manager Jim McLaughlin. Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

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1. Doherty. Irish: This name, a variant of O'Doherty, is by far the most popular name in Derry. This County Donegal sept, which originated in Raphoe but settled in Inishowen from the 14th century, can trace their lineage to Conall Culban, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. They ruled Inishowen until the arrival of an English army at Derry in 1600. An O'Doherty-led rebellion, which included the ransacking of Derry in 1608, helped pave the way for the Plantation of Ulster (Brian Mitchell). Doherty ranked first on the list with an incredible 469 mentions. Pictured is Mickey Doherty taking part in a drumming session at a NW Migrants Forum’s ‘Celebrate Family – Connect Communities’ fun day at Coshquin.

39. 1. Doherty.

1. Doherty. Irish: This name, a variant of O'Doherty, is by far the most popular name in Derry. This County Donegal sept, which originated in Raphoe but settled in Inishowen from the 14th century, can trace their lineage to Conall Culban, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. They ruled Inishowen until the arrival of an English army at Derry in 1600. An O'Doherty-led rebellion, which included the ransacking of Derry in 1608, helped pave the way for the Plantation of Ulster (Brian Mitchell). Doherty ranked first on the list with an incredible 469 mentions. Pictured is Mickey Doherty taking part in a drumming session at a NW Migrants Forum’s ‘Celebrate Family – Connect Communities’ fun day at Coshquin. Photo: George Sweeney

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