Show ContentsHaren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gaelic, otherwise known as Early Modern Irish, was used in Ireland from around the year 1200 until the 18th century. It is from this language that we found the first references to the name Haren as Ó hOdhrain, which is derived from the word odhar, which means dun-colored. [1]

Early Origins of the Haren family

The surname Haren was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times. This distinguished tribe was descended from Eochy Moyvane who was the 124th monarch of Ireland, and from whom was descended King Niall of the Nine Hostages. King Niall was perhaps Ireland's greatest Commander King who was instrumental in routing the Romans from the British Isles. This group of tribes were known as the Septs of the Hy-Niall, and they were Chiefs of the territories in Ulster, Meath and Connacht.

Early History of the Haren family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haren research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haren Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Haren revealed many variations, including Haren, Horan, Harhan, Haran, O'Horan, O'Hourahan, O'Horahan, O'Haren, O'Harhan, O'Haran, O'Hanran and many more.

Early Notables of the Haren family

More information is included under the topic Early Haren Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Haren migration to the United States +

To escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, thousands of Irish left their homeland in the 19th century. These migrants typically settled in communities throughout the East Coast of North America, but also joined the wagon trains moving out to the Midwest. Ironically, when the American War of Independence began, many Irish settlers took the side of England, and at the war's conclusion moved north to Canada. These United Empire Loyalists, were granted land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula. Other Irish immigrants settled in Newfoundland, the Ottawa Valley, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, however, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America and Australia. Many of those numbers, however, did not live through the long sea passage. These Irish settlers to North America were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. Irish settlers made an inestimable contribution to the building of the New World. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name Haren or a variant listed above, including:

Haren Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Haren, who arrived in New York in 1821
  • Mr. Haren, aged 41, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1850 [2]
  • Michael Haren, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1875 [2]

Australia Haren migration to Australia +

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

Haren Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Bridget Haren, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "William Stevenson" [3]
  • Honora Haren, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lady Macdonald" [4]


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. South Australian Register Friday 2nd February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) William Stevenson 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstevenson1855.shtml
  4. South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lady Macdonald 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/ladymacdonald1855.shtml


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