Surname Corcoran - Meaning and Origin
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read moreCorcoran: What does the surname Corcoran mean?
The last name Corcoran is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic "Corcorain" which means "descendant of Corcrain". The word "Corcrain" itself has two components: "corcra" meaning purple and "an" which is a diminutive suffix. So, the literal meaning could be interpreted as "little purple one". This name was possibly given as a nickname to someone who often wore purple or had a ruddy complexion. There are various spelling variations of this surname including Corcoran, Corkoran, and Corcorain. The Corcoran family was known to be a part of a sept in County Fermanagh. Later, they moved to County Sligo, and then onto County Mayo where the name is common today. It is also prevalent in County Leitrim.
Order DNA origin analysisCorcoran: Where does the name Corcoran come from?
The surname Corcoran is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Corcrain" meaning "descendant of Corcrán". The name Corcrán itself is a diminutive of "Corc" which stands for "purple". Therefore, it could also imply "little purple one".
It first originated in Fermanagh, a county in Northern Ireland, but today it is common throughout all parts of Ireland, due to housing displacement caused by the tumultuous history of the island. Many Irish, including those named Corcoran, eventually emigrated to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, especially during the time of the Great Famine in the 19th century. Therefore, today it is quite common to find individuals with the surname Corcoran in these countries. In the US, it is most prevalent in New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The name has various spelling variations including O’Corcoran, MacCorcoran, Corcorran, and many more.
Variations of the surname Corcoran
The surname Corcoran originates from Ireland and its original Gaelic form is "Corcrain" which means "spear." The name has variations due to the anglicization process resulting from British dominion over Ireland.
Some variant spellings and derived surnames include: Corcoron, Corocran, Coracoran, Corcorran, and Cocrane. Surname variants might even take the form of Corcory, Corcran, or Corkoran due to various phonetic translations and differences in regional dialects.
The surname has also been anglicized to names such as Cargan or Gargan in some cases, although these surnames might have different origins as well. O'Corcoran is another variant that signifies the person as a descendant of Corcoran.
Lastly, it's important to remember, due to forced migration and transcription errors in census, the exact spelling of Irish surnames, including Corcoran, vary widely in records. However, all these spelling variations usually tie back to the same family lineage and carry the spirit of the original Gaelic name.
Famous people with the name Corcoran
- Kevin Corcoran: An American director, producer, and former child actor known for his role in Disney films during the mid-20th century.
- James J. Corcoran: A prominent late 19th-century American politician serving both in the New Jersey and New York legislatures.
- Barbara Corcoran: An American businesswoman, motivational speaker, author, and television personality: notably as an investor on the reality TV show "Shark Tank."
- Noreen Corcoran: An American television and film actress known for her role in the hit 1950s and 1960s sitcom, "Bachelor Father."
- Brian Corcoran: An Irish retired sportsperson who played hurling at senior level for the Cork senior hurling team.
- Greg Corcoran: An American TV and film actor best recognized for his roles in the films "Tower of Terror" and "Old Dogs."
- Billy Corcoran: Yet another American actor of the mid-20th century who was also a child star and the brother of Noreen and Kevin Corcoran.
- H. Lawrence Culp Jr.: The CEO of General Electric who sits on the board of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
- William Wilson Corcoran: An American banker, philanthropist and art collector who founded of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
- Thomas Corcoran: Well-known American attorney most recognized for his role in the Roosevelt Administration.