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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009

Origins Available: Irish-Alt, Irish

Where did the Irish O'Connor family come from? What is the Irish coat of arms/family crest? When did the O'Connor family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name O'Connor originally appeared in Gaelic as O Conchobhair, derived from the personal name Conchobhar.

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the Origins of the O'Connor family name include Connor, Conner, Conor, Connors, O'Connor, Connores, Conner, Connar, Connars, O'Connar, O'Conner, Connair, Connairs, Connaire, Connaires, Cawner, Cawners, Caunnor, Cauner, Cauners and many more.

First found in Connacht, where they were seated from very ancient times.

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish Families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name O'Connor to North America: William Conner who settled in Plymouth, arriving on the "Fortune" in 1621; just a year after the "Mayflower," Cornelious Conner, who settled in Exeter in 1650.

Motto Translated: From God Every Help .

For more information on the last name O'Connor, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name O'Connor
  • Michael O'Connor (1810-1872), American Catholic bishop
  • Patrick Edward O'Connor (1820-1871), American pioneer, Civil war soldier for the Confederate side
  • Carroll O'Connor (1922-2001), American, Emmy Award-winning television and stage actor
  • Sandra Day O'Connor (b. 1930), American lawyer, who became the first woman justice in the U.S. Supreme Court
  • David O'Connor (b. 1962), American equestrian rider who won a Gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games
  • Karen O'Connor (b. 1958), Award winning American equestrian rider
  • Edwin O'Connor (1918-1968), American radio personality, journalist, and novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1962
  • Frank O'Connor (1903-1966), Irish short-story writer
  • General Sir Luke O'Connor VC (1832-1915), who had enlisted in the British Army, won the V.C. and a commission for his bravery at the battle of Alma


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the O'Connor family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the O'Connor coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the O'Connor genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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O'Connor Family Crest Products


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Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
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Packages proudly displaying the O'Connor coat of arms.
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Surname Histories for the name O'Connor.
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Travel Mugs revealing the family crest for the surname O'Connor.
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The O'Connor Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The O'Connor Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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