Surname O'Haro - Meaning and Origin
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O'Haro: What does the surname O'Haro mean?
The last name O'Haro is an Irish surname derived from the Irish Gaelic word O'hIceadha, meaning “descendant of Iceadhach.” It is likely that the family was initially a clan from the Irish province of Connacht. It is also used as a patronymic for people with the same name as their father or grandfather, followed by the apostrophe “O” and the prefix “H.”
The meaning of the word Iceadha is not clearly known but is believed to mean “strongly developed” or “skilled.” It is likely that this surname was given to men and women in the O’Haro family who were able to use their skills to accomplish something great. It could also be an indicator of strength or endurance.
The original spelling of the surname was “O’Hic.” In the past, the “C” was often dropped in the spelling of the surname, with “H” being used instead. This is why the spelling of the name is often seen as O’Haro today.
The bearers of the O’Haro surname can be found throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. Many modern versions of the surname are derived from the original O’Hic and can be found in various forms such as O’Hare, O’Hart, or Haire. The O’Haro surname is a testament to the sturdiness and competence of its original holders, and their descendents will keep the name alive for years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Haro: Where does the name O'Haro come from?
The last name O'Hara is predominately found today in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. In the United Kingdom, this surname is mainly seen in Northern Ireland where it is most concentrated in the County of Antrim. In Ireland, this surname is most often found in the Connacht province. This is the same area where it originated in ancient times. In the United States, this name is especially common in the Northeastern and Midwestern states. It can also be found in larger numbers in California and Florida.
This surname was created in ancient times from the Gaelic phrase "O hEára", meaning "descendant of Eára". It varied in spelling from O'Haro, O'Hearo, and other variations. It is believed that the O'Hearo variation is one of the oldest surviving versions of the name. The O'Haros originating from Ulster usually have the spelling of O'Hare, as the Irish letter "H" is pronounced in the same way as the English letter "H".
The O'Haro name has been passed down through certain families, and bearers of this name today often have distant ancestral links to the original family lines. The O'Haros of this generation often have shared characteristics such as the values of humour, tradition, and adventure. This name is now firmly established in many countries, a strong testament to the lasting strength of its original Irish roots.
Variations of the surname O'Haro
The surname O'Haro is a variation of the Gaelic surname O'hEaghra, which means "descendant of Eaghra". The surname is associated with County Galway, Ireland, and people with this surname can be found in counties throughout Ireland and in other parts of the world. Variants of O'Haro include O' Hara, O' Heera, O'Hearo, O'Haire, O'Haroh, and O'Harough.
Spellings may vary, with the most common spelling being O'Hara. The letter "H" may also be replaced with the letter "E", so it sometimes appears as O'Eara. Double vowels are common too, with some variations appearing as O'Hearro, O'Harroh, or O'Hearroh.
Surnames of similar origin often have variations based on how far back they go. For example, O'Hearo and O'Heargho are shortened variations that are believed to come from the same family – O'Hearghu.
It's also possible to mix surnames from different families. For example, it's not unheard of for an O'Hara to marry someone with the surname O'Neil, giving the married couple a blended surname such as O'Hearneil.
Other surnames from the same Gaelic root include Haffey, Hehir, Herety and Harigney. Common places with the surname O'Hara include Ireland, the United States, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name O'Haro
- Claire O'Hara: Professional extreme kayaker and outdoor adventurer
- Penny O'Hara: Voice actor in cartoons, video games, and commercials
- Niall O'Hara: Irish rugby player
- Siobhan O'Hara: British actress best known for her roles in films such as Stardust and From Hell
- Maeve O'Hara: Award-winning author, screenwriter, and filmmaker
- Matthew O'Hara: Canadian actor and musician, best-known for his role in the television series Heartland
- John O'Hara: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist best known for his stories about life in the fictional town of Gibbsville, Pennsylvania
- AJ O'Hara: Professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist
- Peter O'Hara: Emmy Award-winning actor and stand-up comedian best known for his work in popular facets of the entertainment such as M.A.S.H and Miami Vice
- Ciara O'Hara: Irish singer-songwriter and former member of the country group, The Corrs