Surname O'Leary - Meaning and Origin

O'Leary: What does the surname O'Leary mean?

The last name O'Leary (or O'Laoghaire) is an Irish surname that is derived from the Gaelic O' Laochra, which translates literally to "grandson or descendant of Laochra". Laochra is an old Gaelic personal name, which in turn comes from the word "laoch", meaning "warrior" or "hero". The name O'Leary is one of the most ancient and popular Irish surnames found today, having first been recorded in the year 1022 A.D.

O'Leary is found most often in County Cork, where it has been associated with the name since the 12th century. It is believed that the O'Leary family may have originally descended from the famous Corca Laoidhe people. The Corca Laoidhe is a pre-Norman Gaelic Irish tribe believed to be descended from the legendary King Milesius of Spain, who is said to have invaded Ireland in the 8th century B.C.

The O'Leary family has achieved notoriety throughout the centuries, and has been associated with various famous historical figures. Most notably, the O'Leary's are credited as having significantly contributed to the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which sought to overthrow the British government. The extended family even gained notoriety during the American War of Independence after Daniel O'Leary, of County Cork, served as a personal assistant and detective to General George Washington.

In any case, the O'Leary surname stands today as a resoundingly proud symbol of the brave and courageous Irish people, and reflects the strength and storied legacy of a long and noble history.

O'Leary: Where does the name O'Leary come from?

The last name O'Leary is most common today in Ireland, where it originated. Until recently, it was also very popular in the country's diaspora, with Irish settlers taking the name to North America, Australia, and other countries. In 2017, the name was the 28th most common surname in Ireland, and was the 41st most popular in the United States.

The O'Leary name originates from the Gaelic O'Laotheireach, meaning "descendant of Laotheir", where Laotheir is a personal name usually shortened to O'Laoidhigh. This name was adopted among the Danes who occupied south west Ireland during the 8th and 9th centuries.

The O'Leary name first appears in written records in the 14th century, when it is shown to have been in use as a patronymic name throughout what is now County Cork, Ireland. The surname spread into other counties of Ireland as the families moved around.

The great Irish Potato Famine of the 19th century saw many O'Leary families move overseas, particularly to countries in the British Commonwealth such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. So while the name could be found almost anywhere during this time, its highest concentration remains in Ireland and its diaspora populations.

Variations of the surname O'Leary

The variants and spellings of the surname O'Leary can be quite numerous, as it is a common Irish surname. The original spelling of the name in Gaelic is "Ó Laoghaire" which can be found in a variety of spellings including O'Lary, O'Laury, O'Leri, O'Larye, O'Laryer, and Laury. The most common spellings, however, are the modern variations such as Leary, O'Leary, O'Lary, and O'Learly.

The name O'Leary has also been anglicized to form surnames such as Lear, Leary, Lary, Larye, Leary, Lerry, Lorry, and Lowry. In addition, families from the Irish counties of Offaly and Wexford have adopted modified versions of the name such as Leahy and Lauery.

O'Leary is a popular surname in many countries including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is most common in Ireland, but with the spread of the Irish diaspora it is now well represented in many countries around the world.

Famous people with the name O'Leary

• Ryan O'Leary: An American soccer player who won the MLS Cup in 2001.
• Larry O'Leary: Former Canadian Ambassador to Ireland.
• Marcus O'Leary: An Australian actor who starred in the movie “The Water Diviner”.
• Sean O'Leary: A former Major League Baseball pitcher and current coach.
• Ann Marie O'Leary: Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Michelle Obama.
• Denis O'Leary: Leading Irish poet of the 20th century, known for his lyrical, modernist style of writing.
• Robert O'Leary: American actor and voice actor who has appeared in numerous television shows and films.
• Maureen O'Leary: Former figure skater for Ireland in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
• Kate O'Leary: An American professor of neurology and neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Bran O'Leary: An Irish musician and composer known for her innovative use of traditional instruments in her compositions.

Other surnames

O'Leathain