Why do Jamaicans have Irish last names?

Knowing at least that much, I looked at the Jamaican and noticed the obvious. He didn't look like the Ryans or Dwyers I knew, and most notably he did not look like he'd any Irish heritage. I must have appeared doubtful but he went on to tell me his father's family were Irish. read more

Some do some do not. Probably the most common last names are English ones. In Jamaica like most West Indian countries the large majority of the population is black and descendants of the slaves brought to the island by the British colonials. read more

Both explanations for why blacks have Irish last names are only partially true. Most blacks who lived on plantations did not have last names. If you look at census lists or the property lists of white planters, you will see that their human property were only given first names. No last names are listed as none were given. read more

Irish Jamaicans are Jamaican citizens whose ancestors originated from Ireland. Irish people are the second-largest reported ethnic group in Jamaica, after Jamaicans of African ancestry. Population estimates range from 300,000 to 700,000, making Irish Jamaicans up to 25% of Jamaica's population. Most Jamaicans with Irish ancestry also have African ancestry. read more