Could welch be an Irish surname?

Yes, Welch is an Irish surname, though it's more common in Wales.

Origin and Meaning:

* Welsh origin: "Welch" is an Anglicized form of the Welsh surname "Wale," meaning "someone from Wales."

* Irish origin: In Ireland, "Welch" often derives from English settlers who arrived in Ireland during the Norman Conquest and later periods.

Variations:

* Wales: Walsh, Wale, Wales

* Ireland: Walsh, Wale, Wales

While the name is more prevalent in Wales, it's not uncommon to find it in Ireland as well, indicating a connection to Welsh ancestry or English settlers.