Surname O'Hearne - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
O'Hearne: What does the surname O'Hearne mean?
The surname O'Hearne is the English spelling of the Gaelic Irish surname Ó hEaghra, meaning ‘descendant of Eaghrach’. Eaghrach was an ancient Celtic god associated with fire and sunlight who was worshiped in pre-Christian times. The name is derived from the Irish eagar, meaning ‘sunlight’ or ‘splendid’.
The O'Hearne clan can trace their ancestry to County Tipperary in southern Ireland, where they had been settled since the mid-14th century. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the O'Hearne's occupied lands in the area known as the Barony of Ikerrin, in the foothills of the Sliabh Blooms. The family were part of the Clan Connor, also known as the Uí Fidgente, and their fame spread throughout the highlands as fierce warriors and loyal allies.
Today, many O'Hearnes continue to live in Tipperary while others have spread across the world, taking the name to immigrant communities in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Those carrying the O'Hearne name have carried with them the proud legacy of their Irish ancestry, and the indomitable spirit of their forebears.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Hearne: Where does the name O'Hearne come from?
The last name O’Hearne is most commonly found today in the English-speaking countries of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Irish Immigrants to these countries brought the name with them around the 1800s, though records of early O’Hearne families date back much further in medieval Irish history.
The majority of O’Hearne families can trace their heritage to the regions of Westmeath and Offaly in the Irish Midlands. These are two of the oldest baronies of Ireland, with an unimaginably rich history of invasions, castles, and castles. O’Hearne families of these regions are thought to descend from powerful rulers of the local lands, such as Fionn O’Hearne in 9th century Westmeath.
Early records suggest there were dozens of distinct O’Hearne families spread across the three Connacht provinces in the 1300s, all taking part in the local politics and social activity. By mid 1600s, these families began to Contest England’s colonization of Ireland and many were forced to flee their home. It is thought the vast majority of O’Hearne families living in English-speaking countries today are descended from these 17th century immigrants.
Today, the name O’Hearne is quite uncommon across the island of Ireland with only a few hundred people carrying the name. However, the name is still widespread in the English-speaking countries, where many O’Hearne families reminisce the achievements of their distant ancestors in the rugged Midlands of Ireland.
Variations of the surname O'Hearne
The surname O'Hearne is derived from the Irish clans of the Ua hIomhair, which is an anglicized form of the name Ó hIomhair. It is pronounced as "O HEAR-nuh".
Variants, spellings, and other surnames related to O'Hearne include Hearne, Kearne, O'Hearn, O'Hearon, Hourne, O'Hehir, O'Hayer, O'Hier, O'Hiere, O'Hirne, O'Hiron and O'Hearan.
The Anglicized forms of these names are seen most commonly spelled as Hearn, Kern, Hearon, Hehir, Hayer, Hier, Hiere, Hirne, Hiron and Hearan.
The O’Hearne family name is believed to have originated as a location name in County Dublin, Ireland, a reference to the "Hurst" (or "lands"), now known as "Hearne's". There is also one settlement near Cork, Ireland, called "Hearne's Folly".
The earliest record of the O’Hearne name is believed to be “Ua Iomhair”, which was found in a 10th century manuscripts, the “Annals of Inisfallen”. The crest of the O’Hearne family is three silver stars on a blue field.
The O’Hearne surname is still common in Ireland and it can also be found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. Many of the descendants of the O’Hearne family are proud of their Irish heritage and are keen to pass down their surname to future generations.
Famous people with the name O'Hearne
- Siobhán O'Hearne, fashion blogger and denim designer
- Kon O'Hearne, professional soccer player
- Dylan O'Hearne, rising country music singer
- Alan O’Hearne, barrister specialising in civil liberties law
- Liam O'Hearne, former GAA footballer
- Mary O'Hearne, digital artist and photographer
- Renee O'Hearne, founder of The Mother's Unite Tribe
- Fiona O'Hearne, environmental consultant
- Mary O'Hearne, humanitarian and philanthropist
- Declan O'Hearne, actor and writer