Surname Horoghan - Meaning and Origin
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Horoghan: What does the surname Horoghan mean?
The last name Horoghan is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the original Irish name ‘Ó hAtharghain’ which translates to ‘descendant of Atharghain’. Atharghain is a male name reflecting the elements ‘athir’, meaning ford or passage, and ‘gamhain’, meaning calf. This gives the surname a broad meaning of ‘the passage of the calf’ or ‘the ford of the calf’.
The spelling of Horoghan is usually seen in areas of County Longford, Ireland, around Cavan and across parts of the Ulster region. The Horoghans are believed to be descendants of Fergus, son of Cearbhall mac Niall, a man of some importance during the 11th century.
The name has been found in various forms over the centuries, such as O’Haraghan, Haraghan, O’Haroghan, Horoghan and Horahan. These variations exist due to a combination of popularization, anglicization of the original Gaelic form and regional dialects.
Today, the name Horoghan is seen all over the world. Irish emigrants have brought the name to all continents, allowing it to spread to the four corners of the Earth, giving descendants the chance to connect with their Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisHoroghan: Where does the name Horoghan come from?
The surname Horoghan is primarily found in the south of Ireland today, and can be traced back to the county of Galway. It is most frequently found in the Connemara region, where it is believed to have been in existence since at least the 1600s. Other areas where the name is common include Cork, Kerry, and other counties such as Limerick, Dublin, and Mayo.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in California, Texas, and New York, especially in the Irish diaspora communities. The name is also found in other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and England, where it is believed to have arrived with early Irish immigrants.
The name is thought to have originated from the ancient Irish Gaelic 'O hÙracháin', which translates to 'descendant of Ùrachán'. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word for 'shipbuilding' and is speculated to be of Norse origin, likely brought over by Viking settlers in the area.
In recent decades, due to the effects of emigration, the name has spread out to other parts of the world. It remains one of the most frequently used Irish surnames outside the Emerald Isles, and continues to be most strongly associated with the counties of Galway and Cork.
Variations of the surname Horoghan
Horoghan is a surname originating from kingdom of Eire, modern day Ireland. It is an ancient Irish and Gaelic surname that has tonnes of variations in spelling as well as variants.
Variants of Horoghan include O’Horoghan, O’ioragain, O’Huracyn, O’Odhran, O’Huracan, O’Hoigin and O’Hoorigan.
Common spellings include Horrigan, O’Rorke, Hoorigan, O’Horrigan, Horgan, O’Horgan, O’Rourke, Hoorgan and O’Hoorgan.
Variants and spelling usually occur in various regions. For example, the O’Horgan and O’Horrigan variants are most commonly associated with Western Ireland, in the province of Connacht. Whereas, the O’Rorke, O’Rourke and O’Hoigin variant is most common in the province of Ulster.
As for variants, surnames of the same origin include O’Gahran, O’Gearigan, Georigans, Ogurcain, Gahran, Gearain, Gorigan, Gearin, Gearan and Gahiran.
Overall, Horoghan is a widely used surname in Celtic nations, with variations and variants originating throughout the region.
Famous people with the name Horoghan
- William Horrogan: William Horrogan is a retired Irish professional footballer who currently manages the Galway United Club.
- Simon Horrogan: Simon Horrogan is a British actor best known for his work on the BBC television shows Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Waterloo Road.
- Sean Horrogan: Sean Horrogan is a former soccer player from Ireland, who represented his country at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
- Steve Horrogan: Steve Horrogan is a Scottish former professional football player who made more than 250 appearances for several teams during his career.
- Mark Horrogan: Mark Horrogan is a retired English professional football player, who represented Leeds United, Blackpool, and Hartlepool United in his career.
- P. J. Horrogan: P. J. Horrogan is an Irish musical composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor. He has composed works for a variety of musical genres, including Irish folk, classical, and contemporary.
- Aidy Horrogan: Aidy Horrogan is an English songwriter, musician, and producer. He has written songs for a variety of musical acts, including Calvin Harris, Katy Perry, and Take That.
- Leah Horrogan: Leah Horrogan is an American actress known for her work on the TV shows How to Get Away With Murder and The Walking Dead.
- Shawn Horrogan: Shawn Horrogan is an American comedian, actor, and producer. He is best known for his stand-up comedy and appearances in the television series Parks and Recreation.
- Connor Horrogan: Connor Horrogan is an Irish actor known for his roles on the TV shows Dublin Murders and Vikings.