Surname O'Hearn - Meaning and Origin
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O'Hearn: What does the surname O'Hearn mean?
The last name O'Hearn is an Irish surname originating from the southern province of Munster. The surname is derived from the old Gaelic surname Ó hEarna, which means "descendant of Earna".
In Irish, the prefix "Ó" means "descendant of" or "male-line descendant of", while "h" is a common abbreviation for "of". The suffix "Earna" is likely derived from the old Gaelic name Echthighern or Echtigern, which means "horse lord" or "knight".
Over time, the surname has evolved and variations of the name such as Hearn, O'Hearne, Herne, Hern, and MacHern can be found in various countries. For instance, O'Hearn can be found as an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic patronymic Ó hEarna in Ireland, and as Hearn, O'Hearne and Harn among the Scotch Irish in the United States.
In its original form, the surname O'Hearn was most commonly found in counties Cork and Kerry in southern Ireland. The name means "descendant of Earna," or "son of the horse lord." It reflects a past of proud Irish nobility and is a reminder of Irish ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Hearn: Where does the name O'Hearn come from?
The last name O'Hearn is most commonly found in Ireland today. It is an old Irish surname and a variant form of O'hEarchain, which was derived from the native Gaelic Ó hEachthighearna sept that was located in counties Leitrim and Mayo.
In Ireland, the surname is quite common in Leitrim and Mayo, particularly in small towns and villages like Ballina, Kilmore, Crossmolina, and Swinford. It can also be found in the neighboring counties of Galway, Roscommon, and Sligo.
In the United States, O'Hearn is mainly associated with Irish-American families who immigrated to the northeastern states between the late 18th century and early 19th century. It is believed the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.
Overall, O'Hearn remains quite a common surname in Ireland today and is also gaining ground in the United States, as well. This is largely due to recent immigration of Irish families to the larger cities in the Northeast, and the increasing demand for Irish cultural heritage. It's possible to find versions of this surname in Mexico and Canada, where Irish immigrants settled in the 19th century.
Variations of the surname O'Hearn
The origin of the surname O'Hearn can be traced back to the Irish name "Ó hEadharn". The variants, spellings and surnames of O'Hearn include O'Hern, O'Herns, O'Hearns, Hearn, Hearne, and Hearns. All five of these variants are derived from the Irish Gaelic Ó hEadharn surname, which is pronounced "oh harn", with the "h" being silent.
O'Hearn is an old and widespread Irish surname, with numerous established branches in the northern and western parts of Ireland. It is derived from the Irish forename Aodharn, and means "descendant of Aodharn". The surname is most commonly found in the Irish provinces of Ulster, Connacht and Leinster.
Variations of the surname O'Hearn include O'Harna, O'Harnan, O'Hearna, O’Hearonday, O'Hearnon, and Hearna. O'Hearne is the most common spelling in the United States, while Hearne is mainly found in England and Ireland.
In some rare cases, "O" has been dropped from the name, and the variants "Hearn" and "Hearne" are used instead of "O'Hearn". A third variant, Hearns, is also quite common in Ireland, especially in County Dublin.
The name O'Hearne has beenrendered differently in various countries and languages. For instance, it has been written as O'Harn and O'Herrn in German, O'Herin and O'Herring in French, and O'Herren in Danish.
So, from ancient Gaelic Ó hEadharn to modern times, the O'Hearn family has spread across the globe, taking on multiple spellings and variants throughout its diaspora.
Famous people with the name O'Hearn
- Gavin O'Hearn: professional soccer player for Troon FC in Scotland.
- Shaun O'Hearn: former professional soccer player with over a decade of playing experience in the US and Australia.
- Jim O'Hearn: American TV journalist and former CNN anchor.
- Connor O'Hearn: American professional baseball player with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Seán O'Hearn: former Irish Gaelic footballer who won two All-Ireland Senior Football championship medals.
- Harry O'Hearn: Canadian former professional ice hockey player with a long career in the National Hockey League.
- Jack O'Hearn: American former professional basketball player who won the 1955–56 NBA championship with the Philadelphia Warriors.
- Charles O'Hearn: Irish-born American actor with a career spanning nearly sixty years.
- Maureen O'Hearn: Canadian former figure skater and choreographer that represented Canada at several world championships.
- Daisy O'Hearn: American playwright, television writer, and author with work featured in thescreen.