Surname Hanratty - Meaning and Origin
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Hanratty: What does the surname Hanratty mean?
The surname Hanratty is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó hAnrachtaigh." The prefix "Ó" signifies "grandson of" or "descendent of," followed by "Anrachtaigh," which is formed from the personal name Anracht, a variant of "Amhalghadh," commonly anglicized as Auley. Therefore, Hanratty may mean "descendant of Anracht." The Hanratty clan can be traced back to the O'Hanrathys of County Armagh, in modern Northern Ireland, and the surname remains prevalent in this region today. This name might have been associated with a noble or revered ancestor in the ancient Irish society. Like many Irish surnames, the specific meaning of Anracht is uncertain, but it suggests a link to an important figure in the family's ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisHanratty: Where does the name Hanratty come from?
The last name Hanratty is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó hAnrachtaigh," which means son of Anracht. The name Anracht is a personal name made up of elements meaning "quick" or "nimble" and "hero" or "warrior". The name was first found in County Cavan, located in North East of Ireland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.
Today, the name Hanratty remains predominantly common in Ireland, particularly in the regions of Ulster and Leinster. Outside of Ireland, due to historical emigration patterns, significant concentrations of individuals with the Hanratty surname can be found in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Typically, these are the descendants of Irish immigrants. Despite its dispersal, the surname is not extremely common, and is still most frequently found in its country of origin, Ireland.
Variations of the surname Hanratty
The surname Hanratty has its roots in Irish history and culture, specifically stemming from the Gaelic name "O hAnrachtaigh". It is derived from the old Irish term 'racht', which means ‘complicity’ or ‘consent’.
Different spelling variations of this surname have evolved over time, influenced by factors like literacy levels, regional dialects and immigration. Some of these variants include Hanrachty, Hanraghty, Hanratty, Hanraty, Hanrety, Hanretty, O'Hanratty, and O'Hanrachtaigh.
Upon immigration to English-speaking countries, it was common for Irish surnames to be anglicized, either through translation or phonetic spelling. For example, "O hAnrachtaigh" may have been altered to Hanratty, considering the Irish "O" prefix means ‘grandson of’ or ‘descendent of’ in English.
Moreover, some surnames related to Hanratty in terms of spelling or phonetics but not necessarily in origin could include Hennerty, Hennratty, and Hanrate.
It's worth noting that variations of the same surname might not necessarily have the same origin or meaning, as they could have evolved independently in different regions of Ireland or other countries.
Famous people with the name Hanratty
- Kim Darby (born Deborah Zerby): An American actress best known for her role in 'True Grit,' she was once married to actor James Stacy, whose real name was Maurice William Elias, but she was also once married to James Hanratty.
- James Hanratty: Notorious British criminal, who was one of the individuals involved in the infamous 'A6 Murder' case during the 1960s, he was later hanged.
- Sean Hanratty: American actor known for his roles in "The Suite Life on Deck" and "Veronica Mars".
- Terry Hanratty: A former American football quarterback who played in the NFL, primarily for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Caitlin Hanratty: An American Broadway actress.
- Steve Hanratty: A retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, he played in the World Hockey Association (WHA)
- Jim Hanratty: A former jockey in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing during the 1960s.
- Jenna Leigh Green (real name Jennifer Leigh Greenberg): American actress known for her work in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," she was in a relationship with Sean Hanratty.
- Ryan Hanratty: An Australian cricketer.
- Brian Hanratty: A former Irish rugby union player. He was capped five times as a scrum-half for Ireland.
- Maureen Hanratty Kadar: a known figuration and abstract artist.