Horan

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For other uses, see Horan (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Haren.

The surname Horan originated in County Galway, Ireland whence they spread into Co. Mayo and are now fairly numerous in those Connacht counties.

Its meaning is possibly derived from "O'hUghróin", meaning "from Ughrón", a personal name derived from "ughrach" meaning "warlike".

Alternatively, the name may have been derived from Odhar. According to some historians, the chariot driver for Saint Patrick was a chariot chieftain named Odhar, descended of the Red Branch of the ruling clann of Ulster. O'hOdhrain, as the name Horan translates into Gaelic, means "descended from Odhar."

Another Gaelic surname, O hArrachain, which is a corruption of O Hannradhain (angliced Hanrahan) is commonly anglicized Horan, though in Thomond (Co. Clare), where this minor Dalcassian sept originated, it is usually pronounced, and sometimes written, more phonetically Harhan. Other anglicized forms recorded in County Clare are Haren and Haran. Even when written Horan it is pronounced with an internal aspirate which is more accurately represented by the form Haughran, found int the birth registers of Co. Offaly as a synonym of Horan and often changed to Horan. Yet another variant in this case peculiar to County Cork, is O'Hourahan or O'Horahan, a rare name but one familiar formerly to readers of The Nation on account of its regular contributor M.J. O'Horahan. This family, quite distinct from the Thomond one, belonged to Co. Cork and were erenaghs of Ross. The Horans now found in not inconsiderable numbers in County Cork, are of this stock. The distinguished Admiral Horan of the British Navy is the son of a Co. Limerick man, presumably of Thomond lineage.

People with the name Horan include:

Horan
Family Name
Meaning "warlike"
Region of origin Ireland
Related names Ughrón
Popularity Behind the Name 
Wikipedia articles All pages beginning with Horan

[edit] References

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