Surname O'Heaghra - Meaning and Origin
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O'Heaghra: What does the surname O'Heaghra mean?
The last name O'Heaghra derives from the original Irish surname of O'hEaghra, which is a variant of O'hEachthighearna, meaning "descendants of eachthighearna". In Gaelic, the word eachthighearna means "horse lord" or "master of horses". This translates to a strong and proud family of warriors who were the keepers of horses and a respected position in their community.
Historically, the O'Heaghra name was associated with the ancient kingdom of Oriel in what is now County Louth in eastern Ireland. The family was a proud clan of the Uí Néill, the dynasty who descended from the legendary Niall of the Nine Hostages. The O'Heaghras were a powerful family in the Kingdom of Oriel in the 12th century and owned several castles across the region including Drogheda, Kells, and Dunany. By the 13th century, the O'Heaghras had become leaders of the kingdom and were known as Lords of Oriel.
The O'Heaghra family was also a powerful military force, protecting the Kingdom of Oriel against English military forces and other invaders throughout the centuries. Over time, the name has evolved, resulting in various spellings and versions such as O'Hea, O'Hear, Hear and Her.
Today, the last name O'Heaghra is still rather common in Ireland, although the family's original powerful standing in the Kingdom of Oriel has faded away. In modern times, O'Heaghras are respected citizens of Ireland and are proud carriers of this ancient and powerful name.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Heaghra: Where does the name O'Heaghra come from?
The last name O'Heaghra is an Irish surname, coming from the Irish Ó hEaghra, which is derived from the name Eochaidh, meaning "horseman". Today, the surname O'Heaghra is most common in Ireland, with many bearing the name in both Northern and Southern Ireland. Many descendants of Irish immigrants also carry the O'Heaghra name throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The O'Heaghra family are found mainly in the province of Connacht in Ireland, where many families bearing the last name still reside. The name can be primarily found in the counties Mayo, Roscommon, Ludwig, Galway, and Sligo.
The ancestral home of the O’Heaghra family is said to have been located at the head of a small lake near Mayo. The family is said to have been descendants of the Ó hEaghra chieftain who lived in the early 13th century.
The O'Heaghra surname is very old and the families carrying the name today can still trace their roots back to that original ancestor. It is a very proud Irish surname and is a reminder of the strength and unity of the O'Heaghra people throughout the centuries.
Variations of the surname O'Heaghra
The O'Heaghra surname is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hEaghraigh. It is currently most commonly found in County Tipperary and County Limerick. Variants of the surname include O'Hara, Hegarty, Hegarty, Hogarty, Haggerty, Hagarty, Hegarty, Hegerty, Hegrea, and Hegraw.
The many spellings of the surname are due to the phonetic transcription of Gaelic forms of the name, as well as Anglicized forms used by people moving to English-speaking countries and using Anglicized spellings of their Gaelic surnames.
The Hogarty and Haggerty spellings may have originated from an attempt to render the original Gaelic form of the surname into English. In Ireland the forms O'Hara and Hegrea often derive from the same Gaelic root.
The Hegerty and Hegarty names are thought to originate from two distinct Gaelic forms, Ua hEigeartaigh and O hEighraigh. The Hegrea spelling is more common in County Limerick, while the Hegerty and Hegarty forms are more common in County Tipperary.
In terms of surname variants, the Ó hEaghraigh form is generally thought to be the oldest variant of the surname, followed by the Hegerty, Hegarty, and Hegrea spellings. The Hogarty and Haggerty variants are thought to be more modern variations of the original Gaelic form.
Famous people with the name O'Heaghra
- Micheál O’Heaghra, an Irish actor known for his roles in Flick and Red Rock.
- Síle Ní Bhraonáin O’Heaghra, founding member, singer, and songwriter of the Irish folk group, Clannad.
- Maureen O’Heaghra, an Irish model who has walked runways for notable fashion shows in London, Milan, and New York.
- Tríona Ní Dhomhnail O’Heaghra, a notable Irish singer and member of Clannad.
- Siobhán O’Heaghra, a popular Irish actress known for roles in films such as Borstal Boy (2000) and in several TV series, including Coronation Street (2000).
- Pádraig O’Heaghra, a recognized Irish patriot and leader of the Irish Republican Army.
- Brian O’Heaghra, an Irish artist whose work has been exhibited in the National Gallery of Ireland.
- Colm O’Heaghra, an Irish lawyer who specializes in immigration law.
- Shane O’Heaghra, an Irish-American writer and theorist known for his works on Irish-American identity.
- Patrick O’Heaghra, a acclaimed Irish actor who appeared in the Oscar-winning film, The Irishman.