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O'Halloran History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

O'Halloran Surname History

Origins Available:
Ireland

The name O'Halloran originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó hAllmhurain, which is derived from the word allmhurach, which means pirate. 1

The main branch of the family claim descent through the O'Connors (Kings of Connaught) and as such from the Heremon Kings of Ireland. 2

Early Origins of the O'Halloran family

The surname O'Halloran was first found in counties of Clare and Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The Holleran variant is typical to Counties Galway and Mayo. 3

"This family were, as the name implies, 'importers' of Wine; and were lords of Clan Fergail, a district in which Galway town is situate; and had their castle at Barns, close to the sea-side, about three miles west of Galway. The MS. Vol. H. 2.17, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, states that 'O'Halloran is the chief of twenty-four townlands on Clan Fergail; and of theses are the O'Antuiles and O'Fergus of Roscam.' That statement refers to the twelve century. These twenty-four townlands of Clan Fergail lay east of the river Gallimh (or 'Galway.') In the 13th century the O'Hallorans were dispossessed of their ancient inheritance of Clan Fergail by the De Burgos [(Burke)] invaders. The O'Hallorans and the O'Flahertys, [moved] to Iar (or West) Connaught, where they built the castle of O'Hery in Gnomore; and according to tradition, the castle or Rinville in Northern Connenara. According to the Chronicles of the Wars of Thomond, at A.D. 1309, there was another family of the O'Hallorans in Thomond, descended from the stock of the O'Briens and other Dalcassians in Munster." 2

Early History of the O'Halloran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Halloran research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Halloran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Halloran Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, a person's name was often recorded under several spelling variations during a single lifetime because it was essentially up to the individual scribe's discretion as to how to record an individual's name. Research into the name O'Halloran revealed many variations, including Halloran, O'Halloran, Haloran and others.

Early Notables of the O'Halloran family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Lawrence O'Halloran, Irish Poet

O'Halloran Ranking

In the United States, the name O'Halloran is the 9,924^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name O'Halloran is ranked the 938^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,217 people with that name. 5

O'Halloran migration to the United States +

The 19th century brought a massive reduction in Ireland's population. It seemed that during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the Irish people had two options: starve or immigrate. Those that chose the later frequently headed for the United States, hopeful for land, work, and equality. Those determined for free land joined the migration west; while others stayed behind to live in urban centers and often work in factories. Still others began a transitory life in work camps, building the bridges, canals, railways, and highways so critical to the rapidly development of the growing industrial nation. Early passenger and immigration lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name O'Halloran:

O'Halloran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael O'Halloran, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1876

O'Halloran migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

O'Halloran Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William O'Halloran, who arrived in Quebec in 1825

O'Halloran migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

O'Halloran Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Littlejohn O'Halloran, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lalla Rookh" in 1840 6
Eliza Minton O'Halloran, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lalla Rookh" in 1840 6
Mary O'Halloran, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lalla Rookh" in 1840 6
Margaret O'Halloran, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Coromandel" 7
Mary O'Halloran, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Nashwauk" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

O'Halloran migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

O'Halloran Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

L. O'Halloran, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1864
Michael O'Halloran, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876
Margaret O'Halloran, aged 20, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876

Contemporary Notables of the name O'Halloran (post 1700) +

Dustin J. O'Halloran (b. 1971), American pianist and composer
Brian Christopher O'Halloran (b. 1969), American actor, best known for his roles in Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse films
Jack O'Halloran (b. 1943), American ex-boxer and actor, known for his roles in Superman: The Movie, Superman II and Dragnet
Brian O'Halloran (b. 1965), American stage, television and film actor
William J. O'Halloran, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Circuit Judge in Michigan 3rd Circuit, 1935 ; Candidate in primary for Michigan State Senate 5th District, 1950 9
Richard J. O'Halloran, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 15th District, 1940, 1944 9
Richard J. O'Halloran, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 12th District, 1930 9
Michael O'Halloran (d. 1933), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Stafford, 1919 9
Jack O'Halloran, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oregon, 1964 9
Gerard O'Halloran (b. 1990), Irish hurler
... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the O'Halloran family +

Mount Mulligan Mine

John O'Halloran, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LALA ROOKH 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840LallaRookh.htm
South Australian Register Tuesday 9th January 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Coromandel 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/coromandel1855.shtml
South Australian Register Monday 14th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nashwauk 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/europa1855.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html