Surname · Irish origin
O’Sullivan
Meaning
The surname O’Sullivan means Descendant of the dark-eyed one.
Origin
Irish
Type
patronymic
Variants
1
The origin of the surname O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan comes from Ó Súilleabháin, linked to “dark eyes.”
What kind of surname is O’Sullivan?
O’Sullivan is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Irish naming tradition — you can read how Irish surnames were formed on our Irish last names page.
Variants & spellings of O’Sullivan
You may also see this surname written as:
- Sullivan
Other Irish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname O’Sullivan mean?
The surname O’Sullivan means Descendant of the dark-eyed one. O’Sullivan comes from Ó Súilleabháin, linked to “dark eyes.”
Where does the surname O’Sullivan come from?
O’Sullivan is a surname of Irish origin.
What kind of surname is O’Sullivan?
O’Sullivan is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other spellings of O’Sullivan?
Variant spellings of O’Sullivan include Sullivan.
What are other Irish surnames?
Other Irish surnames include Boyle, Brennan, Byrne, Callaghan, Connolly, Daly.