Surname O'Cosgras - Meaning and Origin
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O'Cosgras: What does the surname O'Cosgras mean?
The Irish surname O’Cosgras (sometimes spelled O’Cosgrave) is derived from the Gaelic word “cosgar” which translates as “victorious”. It is an anglicized version of the original Irish name O’Cosgraigh, which is an old Irish personal name composed of the elements “cos”, meaning “victorious”, and “graighe”, meaning “spear”.
It is thought that the O'Cosgras originates from an ancient tribe of warriors who lived in what is now County Leitrim. This tribe was led by a warrior named Cosgras, and the O'Cosgras surname is thought to have been taken from him.
The O'Cosgras clan is thought to have been one of the most powerful clans in Leitrim and their influence and power extended all the way to Dublin. They were also staunchly Catholic and fought against the English initially, however when the English put down the 1641 rebellion, the O’Cosgras switch loyalties and fought for the English.
Throughout the centuries, the O’Cosgras have continued to remain prominent in the region, and today it is still a popular name in Ireland. In more recent times, the name has spread to other countries around the world, with people tracing their roots back to the original Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Cosgras: Where does the name O'Cosgras come from?
The last name O'Cosgras is thought to have originated in Ireland, and is still most commonly found there today. It is an Anglicized version of the original Irish name ‘Ó Ciosagáin’, which is most often found in County Kerry and other parts of the Munster province.
O'Cosgras is generally an uncommon name in Ireland; however, it is still relatively well represented across the world. It is particularly common in the United States and Canada, where many Irish Americans have settled. It is also found in many other countries across the world, as Irish emigrants have spread the family name over the centuries.
In the US, the O'Cosgras family is found throughout the midwest and east coast, although it is more sparsely represented in the west. Interestingly, the largest concentration of O’Cosgras can be found in Texas, where there are thousands of people living with the name.
Although the O'Cosgras family is scattered across the globe, the family's roots in Ireland remain strong. Every year, many people with this surname choose to visit Ireland to explore their heritage and learn more about the land their ancestors came from.
Variations of the surname O'Cosgras
The surname O'Cosgras is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic surname O'Cosgraigh. Over time, the original Gaelic spelling has been anglicized, resulting in several variants and alternate spellings of the name.
Common variants of the name include Cosgrace, Cosgrove, Costelloe, Costellow, O'Cosgrave, O'Cosgra, Cosgray, O'Cosgray, O'Cosgroff, Kosgrave, and Kosgrove. Additionally, many Irish surnames have been anglicized due to historical influences, resulting in alternate spellings such as Cossgra, Cossgrave, Coasgair, Cosgarr, Cosger, Cosgir, and Costgers.
In Irish, the name is spelled "O'Cosgraigh"; the prefix “O’” indicates “descendant of.” Thus, those with the surname O'Cosgras can trace their family roots to the Irish Clan of Cosgair, whose ancestral clan chiefs were known as the “princes of Cosgair.”
The surname is still found in counties in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, including counties Dublin, Cork, and Mayo in Ireland. In the United States, the name is especially common amongst Irish-American families, particularly those who settled in states such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Famous people with the name O'Cosgras
- Dylan O'Cosgras: an Irish actor, musician and comedian, best known for his starring roles in the shows Mrs. Brown's Boys and The Blame Game.
- Sinéad O'Cosgras: an Irish singer-songwriter, model, author, and activist, famously known for her hit singles "Mandinka" and "Nothing Compares 2 U”.
- Thomas O'Cosgras: an Irish stage and screen actor, renowned for his performances in the films War Horse and The Guard.
- Rick O'Cosgras: an American football coach and former player, who has worked as an assistant head coach with numerous NFL teams.
- Robert O'Cosgras: a British actor, best known for his roles in the films The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Camelot.
- Pat O'Cosgras: an American professional golfer, winner of the 1970 PGA Championship, and the first left-handed golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
- Paul O'Cosgras: an Irish drummer, best known for his long-term involvement with the band U2.
- Nancy O'Cosgras: an Australian singer-songwriter and author, best known for her work on the albums You Are Not Alone and Sky Blue Sky.
- Matthew O'Cosgras: a Canadian author, actor, producer and director, best known for his series of historical dramas including The Rebellion trilogy.
- John O'Cosgras: an Irish poet, playwright and novelist, whose works include Fisher of Men and The White Canoe.