Surname O'Garr - Meaning and Origin
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O'Garr: What does the surname O'Garr mean?
The surname O'Garr is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Garra, which translates as "descendant of Garra". The Gaelic personal name Garra was derived from the Irish word "garbh", meaning "rough" or "tough".
The surname O'Garr is associated with County Roscommon in Ireland. Historically, members of this family were prominent in this area and were descended from Bresal, a prince of Connaught who, along with several of his brothers, was granted a portion of the land of Moylurg in County Roscommon by King Diarmuid sometime during the 8th or 9th century.
The surname O'Garr is most commonly associated with County Roscommon and the Connaught region in the western part of the country. However, it is also present in other parts of Ireland and in the Irish diaspora. It is still a very common surname in Ireland and those with the surname O'Garr are often proud of their Irish heritage.
In Irish culture, the surname O'Garr carries with it the symbolism of strength, courage and resilience. The family is associated with the rugged landscape and history of the Connaught region, and their ancestors are remembered and celebrated for their stoicism and determination.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Garr: Where does the name O'Garr come from?
The last name O'Garr is an Irish surname, traditionally found in the Ulster province of Ireland.
More specifically, the name O'Garr is commonly found around the Armagh area, which is in the heart of Ulster. In addition, it is also found in Belfast and the surrounding areas.
In addition, the O'Garr name is also spread throughout the rest of the United Kingdom, specifically in Scotland, Wales and England. It is thought to have been brought to the UK during the mid-1700s, when the British were taking part in the Plantation of Ulster.
In the US, the surname O'Garr is found primarily in states with large Irish populations such as Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In addition, the name is concentrated in the southern US states, particularly in Louisiana and South Carolina, which are both states that have close ties to Ulster.
Outside of these areas, it is not as common to find the name O'Garr, however it can still be found in many other countries throughout the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Although the name O'Garr may not be as common as it once was, it is still a recognizable last name both in Ireland and abroad.
Variations of the surname O'Garr
The surname O'Garr is of Irish origin and is derived from the ancient Gaelic name Ó Gardú. This is believed to translate as ‘descendant of the gardener’ or ‘descendant of the gardener’s son’, indicating a person who worked as a gardener.
The variants and spellings of O'Garr include O'Gar, O'Gara, Garry, Gar, Garaghty, Garrity, Geary, Gara and Garay. These spellings and variants can be used interchangeably, but may vary regionally.
In some cases, the 'O' was dropped from the surname, leaving the surname Garr. This can also be seen in variants such as Garrard and Gann. In some cases the surname may even have mutated into other surnames such as Garran, Gorman and Gammon.
The name is also sometimes used as a given name. Spellings of this include Gary, Garth, Garrick and Garren.
The various spellings of O'Garr can be found across the globe. In the United States, it is most commonly used in Texas, Virginia, California, Massachusetts, and New York. It is also common throughout Ireland, particularly in counties Galway, Cork, and Limerick.
In some cases, people who were originally from this area may have changed their surname for a variety of reasons such as marriage or immigration. It is also possible for the hyphen to be dropped, spelling the name OGarr.
Overall, the spelling and variants of the O'Garr surname are varied and far reaching. Despite this, all spellings and variants indicate a person of Irish and/or Gaelic origin.
Famous people with the name O'Garr
- Keith O'Garr: English football player
- Patrick O'Garr: Irish politician
- Seán O'Garr: Galway-born actor
- Pádraic O'Garr: Irish sculptor
- Jody O'Garr: country music singer
- Vincent O'Garr: Dublin-born film producer
- Adam O'Garr: former MLB pitcher
- Sean O'Garr: world-renowned chef
- Joe O'Garr: Irish-American basketball player
- Haley O'Garr: reality TV star