Surname O'Harrow - Meaning and Origin
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O'Harrow: What does the surname O'Harrow mean?
The Irish surname O'Harrow is derived from the Gaelic Ó hEaghra, meaning "grandson of Eaghra". This personal name, in turn, was derived from the Gaelic word for “face”, each. Individuals with this surname historically resided in the kingdom of Uí Maine, in the south of modern-day County Galway.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the O'Harrow family was one of the leading families in the kingdom of Uí Maine, with branches in Clare, Dublin, and Westmeath. During this period, the surname was associated with a number of people holding high offices, including the Lord Chancellor of Ireland and the Bishop of Clonfert.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the O'Harrow family was dispossessed of much of its land in the area after the Irish civil wars and the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland. Subsequently, many members of the family emigrated to the United States and Canada. Those who remained in Ireland were mainly concentrated in the Counties of Galway and Mayo.
Today, members of the O'Harrow family are spread throughout the world. The surname still carries the legacy of an ancient family steeped in history, stretching back many centuries in Ireland, and is a reminder of the many hardships endured by the people of Ireland in the past.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Harrow: Where does the name O'Harrow come from?
The last name O’Harrow is commonly found in Ireland and the United States today.
In the United States, the name has been more widespread on the West Coast, particularly in California. By the year 2000, there were 542 people living in the United States who had the last name O’Harrow. That number has risen to 837 as of 2020.
In Ireland, records show that the name had been more widespread in County Galway than anywhere else, though it could also be found in other parts of the country. The O’Harrow family was commonly found in the area of Achill island, County Mayo, and a church and graveyard in the area are still standing today.
In the United Kingdom, records indicate that the name is most commonly present in London and England. It may also be found in Scotland and various part of Wales. The last name is also common in other parts of Northern Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
In the past, the last name O’Harrow was even more widespread than it is today, and it is likely to continue to be found in many places around the globe.
Variations of the surname O'Harrow
The surname O'Harrow is a variant of the Irish surname O hAthair or O hEathair. In Irish Gaelic, the surname translates to mean "grandfather". It is also commonly spelled as O'Haarow or O'Harro.
Variants of O'Harrow include O'Hare, O'Hear, O'Her, O'Herr, O'Har, O'Haur and O'Haire. In some cases, it has also been anglicised to Hore, Hair, Haire, Hare, Horr, Hear, Hair and Hearr.
Surnames of similar origin include Archer, O'Haran, O'Carroll, Carrell, O'Carolan, Haran, and O'Cairnes. The name Harron, which originated in England, may also be related to O'Harrow.
The O'Harrow surname is found mainly in Ireland today, with descendants of the family scattered throughout the country. The popularity of the surname in Ireland is due to the fact that it was adopted by those who fled Ireland's Great Famine in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
In countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the surname can also be found, although the spelling may have changed slightly due to the influence of immigration officials.
The surname O'Harrow also appears in Scotland and Wales in various spellings, including: Harrow, Harraw, Harroway, Harrowe, Haro, Harrowes and Haros. Variations on these spellings exist even outside of the United Kingdom, such as Harraw in Germany, Harrouw in France, and Harro in the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name O'Harrow
- Dave O’Harrow: Professional football player for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks
- Bryan O’Harrow: Professional musician, composer and recording engineer
- Brady O’Harrow: Professional ice hockey player for the Tulsa Oiler
- Michael O'Harrow: Former American football quarterback
- Bill O'Harrow: Former American basketball player
- Jamie O'Harrow: American media personality and comedian
- Cody O’Harrow: Professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
- Patrick O’Harrow: Former professional basketball player
- Janice O’Harrow: Bestselling author and motivational speaker
- Lyndsey O’Harrow: Professional golfer