O'Dwyer is an Irish surname from the Gaelic Ó Dubhuir, meaning "black". O'Dwyer in Irish is "O'Duibhir" (pronounced O Dweer), meaning grandson of Duibhir, an ancestor who, by tradition, lived sometime around the tenth century. The exact meaning of the ancestor's name is unknown, though 'black skirt' is one possibility, but the common modern consensus is that it means 'black and dun-coloured' which is thought to refer to Duibhir's hair and skin colouring.
The O'Dwyer clan was based in the Barony of Kilnamanagh Lower in County Tipperary.
The name has variants including Dwyer. O'Dwyer is an uncommon given name. People with the name O'Dwyer include:
Cormac O'Dwyer (born 1994), Trans Rights Activist
Declan O'Dwyer (hurler) (b. ?), Irish footballer
Declan O'Dwyer (director), Irish television director
Edmund Thomas O'Dwyer (1919–2005), Australian cricketer
J. Mike O'Dwyer (b. ?), Australian weapon designer
Joseph O'Dwyer (1841–1898), American physician
Kelly O'Dwyer (born 1977), Australian politician
Luke O'Dwyer (born 1980), Australian National Rugby League player
Matt O'Dwyer (born 1972), American football player, NFL 1995-2005
Michael O'Dwyer (1864–1940), administrator in British India
Michael O'Dwyer (born 1900s) hurler
Mick O'Dwyer (born 1936), Irish Gaelic football manager and former player
Paul O'Dwyer (1907-1998), American politician and lawyer
Richard O'Dwyer (born 1988), British web developer
Robert O'Dwyer (1862–1949), Irish composer
Róisín O'Dwyer (born 1997), Trans Rights Activist
Sean O'Dwyer (born 1941), Irish Guards officer
Steve O'Dwyer (born 1982), American professional poker player
Steven O'Dwyer (born 1966), Australian rules footballer
Terence James O'Dwyer (b. ?), Australian businessman
William O'Dwyer (1890–1964), American politician, the 100th Mayor of New York City
Alice O'Dwyer (born 1992), Irish Jewellery Designer