Surname O'Moriarty - Meaning and Origin
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O'Moriarty: What does the surname O'Moriarty mean?
The last name O'Moriarty is an Irish surname derived from the old Gaelic name Ó Muircheartaigh, which means “descendant of Muircheartaigh”. The name Muircheartaigh is composed of two parts, “muir” meaning “sea” or “mariner”, and “ceardach” meaning “skilled”. Therefore, the name O’Moriarty literally means “descendant of the skilled mariner”.
The name O’Moriarty is particularly associated with County Mayo in Ireland, though it is believed to have originated in the Dál Riata of Ulster. Historically, the O’Moriartys were a powerful family whose members held a variety of titles including chieftains, kings, and even bishops.
While the O’Moriarty surname is an ancient one, its modern usage is mainly a result of the 18th and 19th centuries; when huge waves of Irish immigrants left for the U.S., Canada, and several other destinations. Today, the O’Moriarty name is found in countries across the world, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and Ireland.
The O’Moriarty name and its ancient Gaelic roots continue to evoke a sense of pride and connection to the original O’Moriarty family’s past. It is a reminder of the family’s long history of skill and bravery as they explored the seas and defended their home. O’Moriartys today carry their proud heritage forward, with the belief that the courage of the past will always remain in their hearts.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Moriarty: Where does the name O'Moriarty come from?
O’Moriarty is an Irish based surname which is mostly concentrated in County Kerry, Ireland. It is the anglicised version of the original Gaelic name, O’Muircheartaigh and dates back to 10th century Ireland. The clans of O’Moriarty were well known in Kerry as they served as stewards and bodyguards to the powerful and influential McCarthy family.
Today, O’Moriarty is a very common surname throughout Ireland and is found in large numbers across all parts of the country. As a result of Irish emigration, it is also found in large numbers in the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The name can also be found in countries that were part of the British Empire such as India, South Africa and India.
The last name O’Moriarty is usually a shortened version of the longer version O'Muircheartaigh, which is the name that is most popular in Ireland.
One of the most famous people with the last name O’Moriarty includes Professor James Moriarty; the fictional nemesis of Sherlock Holmes who first appeared in Arthur Conan Doyle's series of novels and short stories. The character is considered to be one of the most clever and dangerous criminals of all time.
Overall, the last name O’Moriarty is very popular in Ireland but is also widespread across all parts of the world due to migrations throughout the centuries. It is associated with a few prominent figures such as Professor James Moriarty, and it is quite common to find people with this name in many countries today.
Variations of the surname O'Moriarty
The surname O'Moriarty is an old Irish surname that is derived from the Gaelic word ‘Murchadh’, meaning ‘sea warrior’. This name was given to someone who was a fierce fighter of the sea and was often used for those of Viking.
Variants of the surname O'Moriarty include: O'Moriaty, O'Murry, O'Mara, O'Morrarty, Moriarty, Moriaty, Morry, Moriyah, Morearty, Morearty, Morarty, Moriarty, O'Morearty, O'Mara, and Morach.
Spellings may vary from O'Moriarty to Moriaty, depending on the era, nationality, and language used in the region. The O'Moriarty surname has evolved over time, and is still commonly found today throughout the British Isles, as well as in the United States and in other areas of the world with large Irish diasporas.
Variants and spellings of the same origin often share the same characteristics. Those bearing the O'Moriarty surname are usually of Irish Celtic ancestry, and typically have a proud sense of family identity. They also tend to be very strong-willed and have a history of being courageous and hard working individuals.
In conclusion, the surname O’Moriarty has numerous variants and spellings with the same origin. By exploring these variants, one can gain a better understanding of the family’s history and its cultural roots.
Famous people with the name O'Moriarty
- Jim O'Moriarty, an Irish actor and comedian
- Mikalah O'Moriarty, an American figure skater and actress
- John O'Moriarty, an American sports journalist
- Edward O'Moriarty, an Irish bushranger (early 1800s)
- Donal O'Moriarty, an Irish actor
- James O'Moriarty, an American film director, actor and producer
- Ken O'Moriarty, an Irish sports commentator
- Phil O'Moriarty, an Irish television presenter
- Francis J. O'Moriarty, an American Catholic priest
- Paul O'Moriarty, an Irish actor and theatre director