Surname O'hArain - Meaning and Origin
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O'hArain: What does the surname O'hArain mean?
The surname O’hArain is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic surname O hEaghra. It is an anglicized version of the original Irish surname that literally means ‘grandson of Eaghra’. The name is derived from the personal name Echradh, locally Eaghra, meaning 'horserider' or 'mounted warrior'.
The O’hArain surname is found in almost all parts of Ireland but is most common in County Galway and County Mayo. The O’hArains of County Galway trace their origins back to the 11th century and to the O’Madden clan.
The O’hArains were warriors and landlords throughout the ages and many served in the Irish Army and British Army. They also played an important role in the Land War of the 1800s and later they defended the country during the Irish Civil War.
The O’hArains were renowned for their hospitality and entertaining. The O’hArain households were particularly known for playing music and hosting large dinners and parties.
Today, the O’hArain name is still found throughout Ireland and across the globe. People with the surname are scattered throughout the world and can be found working in a multitude of professions. The O’hArain name will forever remain rooted in Gaelic Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisO'hArain: Where does the name O'hArain come from?
The last name O'hArain is most commonly found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States today.
In Ireland, the name originated in the Maiden Country region of County Limerick, where it was previously spelled "O hEithireain." The root of the name in Gaelic is "O hahaire," which means "from the field of contention." In the past, the pronunciation of the name was closer to "hah-ran" but today, the "h" sound is usually dropped completely when spoken.
In the United Kingdom, the name O'hArain has been found in Scotland and England, with the earliest record in Scotland dating back to 1230. In the United States, records of the O'hArain family begin in the late 1700s in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The family likely arrived from Ireland via Scotland, England, and then Pennsylvania as the population of the United States began to grow.
Today, people with the last name O'hArain can still be found living in Ireland, Scotland, England, and the United States. Records suggest that the name is most commonly found in the Mid-Atlantic states of the US, as well as in southern Canada.
Overall, records suggest that the O'hArain family is a family of farmers, who have been settled in rural areas since the Middle Ages. It is likely that members of the family still practice the trade of a peasant or middle-class farmer, as was the case in earlier centuries.
Variations of the surname O'hArain
The surname O'hArain is an Irish surname that originates from the Gaelic name O'hArráin, meaning "descendant of Arrán". Variants of this surname include Haran, Harran, Hearn, Hearon, Hearne, Hearon, Harron, Harin, and Hearin. It is also commonly spelled as "O'Haran," "O'Heern," "O'Hearin," "O'Haarain," and "O'Haeran".
Other variations of this surname that may be encountered throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom include Ó hArgáin, Ó hArgánaigh, Ó hArgámhnaigh, Ó hArgáin, Ó hArgáin, Ó hArgáin, Ó hArgána, Ó hArgáinne and Ó hArgáine. These are all Irish forms of the surname.
In Scotland, the Clann O'hArain is also known as Clan Aharan. This clan trace their descent from the O'Hara's of Ulster and is related to the O'hEarain family which is descended from the same Gaelic root.
In the United States and Canada, the surname has been Anglicized to a variety of phonetic spellings including Hearn, Hearne, Hearon, Harran, Hearin and Harin.
The surname O'hArain is known to be a fairly rare name and is not popularly found outside of Ireland and some areas of northern England where there is a strong Irish heritage. However, the surname does occur in various other countries such as the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name O'hArain
- Ryan O'Hara: a member of the rock band The Poxy Boggards
- Roy Keane: Former Manchester United superstar and Republic of Ireland international footballer
- Aisling O'Hara: Film director and screenwriter
- Kent O'Hara: Professional golfer
- Maeve O'Hara: Irish media personality
- Niall O'Hara: Irish comedian and actor
- Shirley O'Hara: American artist
- Aoife O'Hara: Television presenter
- Hugh O'Hara: American Major League Baseball player
- Brendan O'Hara: Member of parliament in the UK