Surname Odwyer - Meaning and Origin

Odwyer: What does the surname Odwyer mean?

The surname O'Dwyer has its origins in Ireland. Derived from the Irish Ó Duibhir, the name translates to “descendant of Duibhir.” The personal name Duibhir is a combination of two elements: “Dubh,” meaning black, and “Odhar,” meaning sallow or tawny. Therefore, the complete translation of O’Dwyer could be “descendant of the black or sallow one.” The O’Dwyers are known to be a powerful family in Ireland, specifically in the area of Munster, and they have a long and rich history. In modern times, descendants with the O'Dwyer surname are found around the world, although the largest number still resides in Ireland. It's important to remember that Irish surnames often refer to a distant ancestor or physical attribute, so not all O'Dwyers will necessarily share an immediate connection.

Odwyer: Where does the name Odwyer come from?

The last name Odwyer is most commonly found in Ireland today, particularly in the province of Connacht. It is the resources of the Irish version of the name, O'Dubhuir, which translates to the male descendant of Dubhghall, or "black stranger".

This early spelling then evolved into "O'Dwyer" or "Odwyer" which is now widely found in most parts of Ireland. It has been documented as far back as the 12th century, when the O'Dwyers of Kilnamanagh, near Callan in County Kilkenny, establishing a strong foothold in the area.

The O'Dwyer surname is also connected with County Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary in the south and west of the country, while there are a significant number of people in neighbouring Northern Ireland with the name as well.

Odwyers are also common in the United States. The name has been found among Irish American immigrants going back to the 18th century, and it is widely found throughout the country today. It is particularly common in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, and California, many of which are home to significant Irish-American populations.

Outside of Ireland and North America, the last name Odwyer can be found in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In all of these countries, there are families who trace their heritage back to early Irish immigrants who bear the O'Dwyer name.

Variations of the surname Odwyer

The Odwyer surname has several variants and spellings that trace back to the same origin. They all share the same general spelling of Odwyer, but with slight variations.

The most common variant is spelled O’Dwyer; the apostrophe indicates the word is in Irish form. This spelling is most commonly associated with persons of Irish descent – both those living in Ireland and those of Irish origin living outside the country. Other forms of the name include Dwyer, Dowders, Duyer, Dowyer, O’Duyer, O’Dwother, Dwolly, Doolly, and O’Duibhir. The spelling variations may be due to dialectical differences from region to region or different forms of the same surname in multiple countries.

Moreover, there are several related surnames that have derived from the same origin. The Irish variant of Dwyer is sometimes translated to Duibhir or Duvigah in Irish Gaelic, and these versions may merge to create various other surnames. Commonly used related surnames include Duffey, Dwight, Dwyer, and Doherty.

Regardless of the spelling or related surnames, the Odwyer originates from a source related to the Gaelic surname O’Dubhshiubhir. From this root in ancient Gaelic, the English adopts forms of the surname as Dwyer, due to its phonetic relationship to the original name.

Famous people with the name Odwyer

• Patrick J. O'Dwyer, a lawyer who was appointed as New York City's Corporation Counsel (City Attorney) in 1889.
• P. J. O'Dwyer, an Irish journalist and author.
• Brigadier General Stephen J. O'Dwyer, a United States Special Forces Officer.
• Maureen O'Dwyer, a former Irish Gaelic footballer who won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2011.
• Daniel O'Dwyer, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa.
• Peter O'Dwyer, an English football goalkeeper.
• Gerry O'Dwyer, an Australian rugby league player.
• William O'Dwyer, an American lawyer and politician who served as the 96th Mayor of New York City from 1946 to 1950.
• Patrick K. O'Dwyer, a College of the Holy Cross basketball player.
• Adrian O'Dwyer, an Irishcamogie player who represented Wexford at the All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship.

Other surnames

O BoeyO BoweÓ CanainnO CarrollO ConaillÓ ConchobhairÓ CuinÓ CuinnÓ DaimhínÓ DálaighO DalyÓ DómhnaillÓ DonnchadhaÓ DubhdaraÓ DuibhínÓ DuibhirO DuireO DuvireÓ FeoreO FlanaganÓ FuereÓ FureyÓ FuryO GaraO GuineyO GuinidheO GuinyeO HanlonÓ HANNÁINO Hart