Surname O'Harra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
O'Harra: What does the surname O'Harra mean?
The last name O’Harra is primarily of Irish origin, derived from the original Irish surname O’hAghair. The word "O'hAghair" is derived from 'O' meaning 'descendant of' and 'Aghair' meaning 'gentle', suggesting the root of the name is honorable and noble.
The "O'" prefix is commonplace amongst Irish surnames and indicates the holder of the family name is of aristocratic descent. Carrying the prefix would suggest a family of noble descent who enjoyed a high status in the ancient courts or among their peers.
The first recorded spelling of the O'Harra name dates to 1196 in County Kerry, Ireland. Over the centuries, the family branched to locations across the country, from Northern Ireland, to Dublin, then to further parts of the country, such as Cork.
The O’Harra surname is still quite common today in Ireland. It is also found in the UK, USA and Canada. Those with connections to this ancient Irish surname will likely be proud of its heritage, associated with its roots speed dating centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Harra: Where does the name O'Harra come from?
The last name O'Harra is a variant of the Irish surname O'Hara, which is derived from the Gaelic Ó hEaghra. It is primarily found in the United States, where it is the 1,807th most common overall. The surname is most frequently found in Pennsylvania, where current estimates suggest over one thousand individuals with the name O'Harra live.
Outside of the US, O'Harra is also common in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Longford, Leitrim and Cavan in the east-central and northwestern parts of the country. These areas are home to over 300 people with the O'Harra surname today.
Outside Ireland, the surname is common in Scotland as well. The 2001 census in Scotland indicated that over one thousand individuals named O'Harra reside in Scotland.
O'Harra is not a particularly common surname in other nations. However, the surname has spread beyond Scotland and Ireland to England, Wales, Australia, Canada and even New Zealand. In Wales, for example, estimates indicate that fewer than 500 individuals called O'Harra live in the nation.
Despite its low level of global diffusion, the O'Harra surname still exerts a modest presence throughout the world today. Primarily demarcated by its increased shared levels in two countries, Scotland and Ireland, its presence reveals a far-reaching family line that has existed for hundreds of years.
Variations of the surname O'Harra
The surname O'Harra originates from the Gaelic phrase “O’hEarchair”, meaning “descendant of Earchair”. This phrase is derived from the Irish surname Ó hEarcáin, which in turn is derived from the personal name Earchair, a variant of the Old Irish name Eachaidh.
The surname O'Harra has a variety of spellings, and different spellings are often used interchangeably. Variants include: O'Hara, O’Heara, O'Haire, Ó hEarchair, Heara, and Hearra. In addition, there are numerous versions of the O’Hara name such as O'Hare, Hara, Harra, Harrah, Harray, O'Harrah, and Harrey.
The O’Hara name is also found throughout the British Isles and Ireland. It can be Anglicized to form less recognizable surnames such as Haire, Hare, Hear, Hearney, Heary, Heery, Harris, and others. In addition, there are surnames such as O'Hara-Harty, O'Hara-Brennan, and O'Hara-Keane, which are derived from other surnames associated with the O’Harra family.
The O’Harra name has been found in various parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Canada, as well as Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Variations of the name can also be found in other countries, such as France and Germany.
The O’Harra name has a storied history that can be traced back to the 5th century AD, when the O’hAra clan originated in the former Gaelic kingdom of Ulster. Since then, the surname has been associated with numerous prominent families from a variety of origins, including Irish, Scottish, English, Welsh, German, French, and other sources.
Famous people with the name O'Harra
- Janice O'Harra: Janice is a well-known Filipino-Australian actress and television personality, most famous for her roles on the popular TV series "Quiz Master" and "Friendly Fire".
- Peter O'Harra: Peter is a famous American comedian and actor, known for his supporting roles in films such as "The Hangover" and "The Interview".
- Maureen O'Harra: Maureen is an Irish-American model and television journalist, most noted for hosting the weekly talk show "The Maureen O'Harra Show".
- Michael O'Harra: An Australian actor, best known for his work on the soap opera "Home and Away".
- Alice O'Harra: Alice is a famous British reality television star, known for her appearances on the popular shows "Big Brother" and "The Bachelor".
- Sean O'Harra: Sean is a professional basketball player in the NBA, drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in 2010.
- John O'Harra: John is an esteemed British actor, famous for his roles in movies such as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", "Mrs Henderson Presents" and "The King's Speech".
- Mary O'Harra: Mary is an award-winning Irish-American author, best known for writing the novel "Call of the Drum".
- Chris O'Harra: Chris is an Australian musician and songwriter, most famously known for his musical contributions to the bands "Nirvana" and "Foo Fighters".
- Julie O'Harra: Julie is an American singer and songwriter. She has released four studio albums and has had her songs featured in popular films such as "The Lego Movie" and "X-Men: The Last Stand".