There are many surnames common on Islay and the other lands of the Lordship which can be traced back to an association with the Lords of the Isles
| MacKay of the Rhinns | (MacAoidh = son of Hugh) Lieutenants of the Lords. the original MacKay coming from Kintyre. |
| MacPhee or MacDuffie of Colonsay | also Lieutenants of the Lords and Keepers of the Records. |
| Brehon (became Bruin, later Brown) | hereditary Judges. |
| Maclndeor | almoners. |
| MacEachern or MacKechnie | hereditary Masters of Horse. also famous sword makers of Kilchoman. |
| MacArthur | hereditary pipers, originally from Skye. and held lands at Proaig at one time. |
| MacAffer | hereditary armour bearers. |
| MacKerrel | hereditary minstrels, harpists and pipers. |
| MacVurich or Currie | genealogists, poets and bards. |
| Maclain, Johnson or Maclvor | descendants of Ian Mor (John Mor Tanaisdear). |
| Clark | descendants of the clerks at Finlaggan. |
| MacSporran | hereditary purse-bearers. |
| MacCuaig | hereditary cup-bearers. |
| Macintyre | carpenters. |
| Fletcher | arrow-makers. |
| Morrison and Lamont | lawyers |