Surname Hourahan - Meaning and Origin
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Hourahan: What does the surname Hourahan mean?
The last name Hourahan is an Irish surname derived from the Irish Gaelic word "O'hUirthighan," which translates roughly to "descendant of Uirthighan." This surname is primarily found in Cork and Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland.
The name Uirthighan likely derives from the old Gaelic term “rotha,” meaning “wheel.” Thus, the original bearers of the Hourahan were likely skilled in wheel making or wheelwrighting. This is significant to Ireland’s history, as wheels were an important form of transportation and communication in pre-modern Ireland.
The surname is not particularly common, but it is still found among Irish families with ancestral roots in southwest Ireland. Those who bear the surname are proud of its Irish-Gaelic heritage, as it serves to connect them and their families to a distant past. From old wheelwrights to modern-day Irish speakers, the Hourahan name carries a deep appreciation for the Irish culture and its many rich traditions.
No matter where one goes, those bearing the Hourahan surname will always remain connected to their ancestral homeland and its wonderful heritage. This name gives Irish people, and those with Irish heritage, a deep sense of identity and connection to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisHourahan: Where does the name Hourahan come from?
The last name Hourahan is most commonly found in Ireland today, primarily in County Cork, but also in other areas of Munster such as County Limerick, and County Tipperary.
The Hourahan surname is believed to have originated from the gaelic ‘O hUarachain’, which translates to ‘Descendants of Uarachain’. Uarachain was the ancestor of the O’Hourahan clan, meaning that the Hourahan surname is of an ancient Irish heritage.
The Hourahans were part of a larger Irish clan known as the O’Hourihans and occupied the region that is now known as Cork and Kerry, in the South West coast of Ireland. The Hourahans were a powerful Gaelic family and they enjoyed considerable wealth and prestige, controlling much of the land in the area. In later years their estates were divided between their numerous branches, resulting in a dispersed population.
The family has been prominent in Irish life throughout. In modern times the Hourahan clan have been successful in many walks of life such as law and medicine, and there have been a number of prominent business figures from the clan.
In the 21st century it is likely that Hourahans are still widely distributed throughout southern Ireland, although there is not an exact count of numbers. A search of directories or websites, such as the Irish census, can help to pinpoint the main areas of the Hourahan surname in Ireland today.
Variations of the surname Hourahan
The surname Hourahan is derived from the Gaelic surname O'hUaithne which is an anglicised form of the Irish name Ó hUaithne. This surname can be seen in many forms, as it has been anglicised over the years. Variants of the surname include O'Horahan, Hourigan, O'Hourihan, Hurrigan, O'Hurley, Hurley, Hearnen, Hearn, Herron, and Heron.
Many of these surnames derive from the same ancient Irish sept, the Ó hUaithne of the Dal gCais. This sept occupied the area of western Clare near the town of Kilrush, which was the Barony of Clonderlaw, and later extended to other parts of Ireland, including County Kerry and County Limerick.
The surname Hourahan is not so common in America, as most of the anglicised versions of the name are found in Ireland, with many variations in spelling. The surname can be found in the United States and in other countries such as Australia and Canada.
The most common spelling of the surname is Hourigan, with O'Horahan, O'Hourihan, and Hurrigan also popular variations. In America, the name is often spelt Hearnen, Hearn, Herron and Heron.
The Hourahan surname is thought to have originally been O'hUaithne but over the centuries it has been anglicised and become the various versions known today. It is possible to trace the lineage of the O'hUaithne family with some research.
Famous people with the name Hourahan
- Brian Hourahan: Brian is an Irish national Basketball player who competed in the Paralympics.
- Ryan Hourahan: Ryan is an American ice hockey goaltender who has had numerous teams over the course of his career.
- Jack Hourahan: Jack is an English actor who has appeared in various films and television series.
- Patty Hourahan: Patty is an American children's television personality. She is best known for her role as Head of Children’s Programming at Nickelodeon.
- Mark Hourahan: Mark is an Australian rugby union and rugby league player who was part of the Australia national team.
- Patrick Hourahan: Patrick is a former US lacrosse coach for Villanova University.
- Nancy Hourahan: Nancy is an American academic who formerly held the position of professor of fine arts at Columbia University.
- Michaël Hourahan: Michaël is a French international soccer player who is currently part of the FC Nantes team.9. Justin Hourahan: Justin is an American mixed martial arts fighter and kickboxer.
- Clémence Hourahan: Clémence is a French fashion designer who has had her own fashion line.