Some local surnames and their origins – Sloinnte na háite agus an bunús atá leo
| Surname | Gaelic | Meaning |
| McKeown | Mac Eoin | (Son of Eoin) originally associated with North Antrim |
| Dougan | Ó Dúgáin | Black hair or complexion from Irish, Dubh |
| Totten | Ó Tuatáin | Originally an English surname now long established in Ireland |
| McCann | Mac Cana | (Old Irish: wolf cub, young warrior) Associated originally with her southern shore of Lough Neagh |
| Maguire | Mac Guidhir | (Dun or brown coloured) Originally associated with Fermanagh |
| McLarnon | Mac Giolla Earnáin | (Devotee or follower of St Earnán). Long associated with the local area |
| Bateson | Béastun or Mac an Bhiataigh | Long established in the area. Can be of English or Irish origin |
| O’Hara | Ó hEara | A name associated with County Sligo. A branch of OHara’s migrated to mid Antrim several centuries ago |
| McAteer | Mac an tSaoir | (Son of the highly skilled craftsman) An old Ulster name |
| Marrion | Ó Mearáin | (Swift, lively) originally associated with County Monaghan |
| O’Boyle | Ó Baoill | (Irish, Geall. a pledge or hostage) Orinally associated with Donegal |
| McAuley | Mac Amhlaoibh | (Son of Olaf) associated with the Maguires of Fermanagh |
| Nelson | Mac Néill | (Son of Niall) A name of Scottish origins settled in Ireland for centuries |
| Mulholland | Ó Maolchalainn | (Devotee or follower of St Calann) Originating in Co Derry and hereditary keepers of St Patrick’s bell |
| Denvir | A name associated with the Normans who arrived in Ireland in the 1100’s | |
| Quinn | Ó Cuinn | (Descendant of Conn) A common surname of Tyrone origin |
| Smith | Mac Gabhann | (Son of the blacksmith) Often a translation of McGowan originating in County Cavan. Also a common English surname |
| McConville | Mac Con Mhaoil | (Son of the short haired warrior ) Associated with Oriel in South Ulster |
| Johnston | Mac Seáin | (Son of John) Can be of Irish or English origin |
| Murray | Ó Muirí | (Muir: Irish. the sea) a common surname of both Irish or Scottish origin) |
| McElroy | Mac Giolla Rua | (Son of the red haired servant) |
| O’Kane | Ó Catháin | (Catháin: a pet name) The leading Gaelic noble family of North Derry |
| Robb | Mac Robb | A branch of the Scottish clan Mac Farlane |
| Heffron | Ó hÉimhrín | Associated with Antrim and Down |
| McKeague | Mac Thaidhg | (Son of Tadhg ie old Irish first name) |
| McTeague | Mac Thaidhg | (Son of Tadhg ie old Irish first name) |
| Laverty | Ó Laifeartaigh | Common in County Antrim |
| Morgan | Ó Muireagáin | (Muire: a lord) common in County Down and Wales |
| McNulty | Mac an Ultaigh | Son of the Ulster man |
| Mc Collum | Mac Colaim | Son of Colm ie dove |
| Butler | De Buitléir | A powerful Anglo – Norman family from Munster |
| O’Neill | Ó Neill | (Descendant of Niall) powerful Ulster family from Tyrone |
| Devlin | Ó Doibhlin | Originating in County Derry beside Lough Neagh |
| Small | Ó Caoilte | (A descendant of Caoilte) Originating in Derry and Tyrone |
| Rice | Ó Maolchraoibhe | An Ulster sept |
| Sweeney | Mac Suibhne | (Pleasant) Scottish Galloglasses (mercenary soldiers) who settled in Donegal |