Surname Carraher - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Carraher: What does the surname Carraher mean?
The surname Carraher is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Corragáin, which originates from the Gaelic sept of the same name located in County Clare. The sept belongs to the O’Brien dynasty, and the surname is believed to date back to pre-Norman times. Meaning “descendant or follower of Corragáin,” the original Ó Corragáin would have been the chieftain or head of the sept at one point.
Today, descendants of this sept are found around the world with many variations in spelling. Variations that are seen throughout the years include Corraher, Caraher, Carrower, Caruth, Caragher, and others, but all indicate the same Irish heritage and noble lineage.
Those with the surname Carraher still carry with them a sense of pride and tradition, as well as a shared historical background with thousands of others who come from the same unique Irish ancestry. With a heritage of such strength and breadth, Carrahers carry with them a legacy of distinctiveness and strength of character.
Order DNA origin analysisCarraher: Where does the name Carraher come from?
The last name Carraher is most commonly found in Ireland today. Specifically, it is primarily found in County Cork and County Kerry, two of the major counties of the Republic of Ireland. Carraher is a very old surname, with the first recorded use of the name dating back to the 12th Century. It is thought to be an Irish form of the Norman name Carriere, which derived from a place in France.
A significant presence for the name Carraher can also be found in the United States. After the Famine of 1845–52, many Irish immigrants moved to the U.S to look for jobs and a better life. Over time, the surname has spread across the country, particularly in New York, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, where more than 2,500 people currently bear the name Carraher.
Despite the global spread of the name, the most concentrated population of Carraher’s is still found in Ireland. To this day, the name remains popular in the country, with around 3,000 people currently bearing the name. The name continues to be held in high esteem in its homeland, with the surname even appearing in some of Ireland's most notable landmarks.
Variations of the surname Carraher
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Carraher include: Caraher, Carahor, Caragher, Carragher, Carraher, Cararher, Carraher, Karragher, Keraher, Keragher, Keraher, Karrher, Carhor, Carror, and Carroher.
The Carraher surname has Gaelic origins, and is most likely derived from the Irish surname Ó Corraigh or Corraher, which means descendant of Corrag, a Gaelic personal name. This name is derived from the Old Irish title “corr” meaning ‘spear’ or ‘hero’ and was often given as a term of endearment.
It is likely that the different variants of the word had become anglicized in different ways as the family name moved through different locations. The word “carraher” is believed to originate from the English word “carrier” which was a reference to those who transported goods by hand, and would have been familiar to many English speaking settlers.
The “-h-” in place of the original Irish “-g-” in the spelling of the name is consistent with other Irish surnames such as “Doreen” which are anglicized, with “-h-” often replacing “-g-” when spelled in English.
Today, the Carraher surname is associated with multiple locations throughout the world, including Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Carraher
- Denny Carraher: American actor who has appeared in movies such as The Hangover Part III, Argo, and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
- Michael Carraher: Actor best known for his roles in the television series Hawaii Five-O, The X-Files, and Chicago Hope.
- Bill Carraher: American rock guitarist, dubbed one of the most influential rock 'n roll musicians of the 1970s by Rolling Stone magazine.
- Craig Carraher: Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays.
- Jack Carraher: Philanthropist and entrepreneur who co-founded the philanthropic organization Carraher International.
- Liz Carraher: Professional martial artist and former competitive bodybuilder.
- Anthony Carraher: Award-winning journalist and producer, whose reporting has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and on National Public Radio.
- Paul Carraher: American NFL football player who played for the San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots.
- Rose Carraher: Professional volleyball player and two-time USA Volleyball All-America selection who played for the Oregon Ducks.
- Jarvis Carraher: Former NBA player who won an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005.