Surname Mourne - Meaning and Origin
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Mourne: What does the surname Mourne mean?
The last name Mourne is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic term ‘mothar’ which means ‘descendant’. This most likely refers to a descendent of one of the ancient kings of Ireland. The Mournes are believed to have been related to the O’Cahan family of the O’Neill dynasty, and to have descended from one of its chiefs.
The Mourne family are believed to have originated from the coastal area of County Down in modern-day Northern Ireland. Historically they were in the province of Ulster and the family is thought to have spread through the province over time. One of the earliest references to a member of the Mourne family is that of Alexander Morne, a chieftain of the O'Cahan clan in the early 1600s.
The Mourne family were most likely powerful landowners, and in later centuries some became merchants and ship-owners. Several branches of the Mourne family were prominent in Irish and Belfast society during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In more recent times, people with the last name Mourne have been active in politics, medicine, social work, law, business, and other areas.
The Mournes are now found around the world, although the majority may still live in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The surname is still quite common and can reflect a strong sense of Irish heritage for those who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisMourne: Where does the name Mourne come from?
The last name Mourne is a typically Irish surname, with its roots dating back to ancient Gaelic culture. In Ireland, the surname Mourne remains a common surname and is mainly found in the southern parts of the country. County Galway has the highest concentration of the surname Mourne in Ireland, followed by Cork and Kerry.
In recent years, there has been a considerable spread of the surname Mourne to other countries, with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom having the largest concentrations. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in California, New Jersey and New York, while the United Kingdom has the highest concentration of the name in Scotland, followed by England and Wales.
Thanks to a large Irish diaspora, the last name Mourne can be found in other countries such as Australia, South America and parts of Asia. Overall, there is an estimated 13,000 people in the world today who bear the last name Mourne.
Variations of the surname Mourne
Mourne is an Irish surname that is derived from the Old English word, murnan, which was used to describe a person who was mournful, sad or sorrowful. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Mourne include Morn, Mournes, Mourns, Mourner, Morne and Murne.
Morn is the anglicised form of the Gaelic name, Muirne, which was derived directly from the Old Irish word for mourner, muirn. Mournes is a variant spelling of the surname.
Mourns is another variant spelling of the Mourne surname and is also derived from the Old English word for mournful. Mourner is the anglicised form of the Gaelic name, Muimhneach, which was derived directly from the Old Irish word for mourner.
Morne and Murne are also derived from the Old English word, murnan, and are both variant spellings of the surname Mourne. In some cases, these variants have been used interchangeably.
Overall, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Mourne provide evidence of the Irish culture and tradition associated with the Mourne surname. As such, these variants provide insight into the rich history and ancestral roots of those who bear the surname Mourne.
Famous people with the name Mourne
- Kelly Mourne: a former USWNT Olympic soccer player
- Barry Mourne: an American actor and producer
- Paul Mournes: a former professional basketball player from the Philippines
- Jack Mournes: an English cricketer
- George Mournes: an American football player
- Andrew Mournes: an Irish swimmer
- Diana Mournes: a British classical violinist
- Patrick Mourne: a French gymnast
- Kate Mournes: an Australian swimmer
- Bill Mournes: an American voice actor, screenwriter, and director