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

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

O'Gorman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Many variations of the name O'Gorman have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Mac Gormain, derived from the word "gorm," which means "blue."

Early Origins of the O'Gorman family

The surname O'Gorman was first found in County Clare, where O'Gorman was chief of Tullichrin, a territory comprising parts of the baronies of Moyarta and Ibrackan. They claim descendancy through the O'Connor pedigree, specifically through Daire, a younger brother of Ros Failgeach. He was the second son of Mor, the King of Leinster and the 109th Monarch of Ireland. The family were the Chiefs of Ibrckan in County Claire. 1 The Mac (Mc) prefix is rarely found today due to the fact that in the early nineteenth century native Irish "were in complete subjection." 2

Early History of the O'Gorman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Gorman research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early O'Gorman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Gorman Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name O'Gorman family name. Variations found include Gorman, MacGorman, O'Gorman and others.

Early Notables of the O'Gorman family

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

O'Gorman Ranking

In the United States, the name O'Gorman is the 13,202^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

O'Gorman migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name O'Gorman:

O'Gorman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Catherine O'Gorman, aged 20, who immigrated to America from Shanaway, in 1902
Alice O'Gorman, aged 13, who landed in America, in 1904
Catherine O'Gorman, aged 35, who landed in America from Dublin, in 1906
Bridget O'Gorman, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Kilcogg, Ireland, in 1907
Agnes O'Gorman, aged 12, who immigrated to the United States, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

O'Gorman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

O'Gorman Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Charles F O'Gorman, aged 30, who immigrated to Ontario, Canada, in 1909
Charles Frances O'Gorman, aged 47, who settled in Maryville, Canada, in 1923

O'Gorman migration to Australia +

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

O'Gorman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas O'Gorman, (b. 1834), aged 29, Irish labourer travelling from Queenstown, Ireland aboard the ship "Golden Empire" arriving in Brisbane, Australia in July 1863 4
Mr. Michael O'Gorman, (b. 1838), aged 25, Irish labourer travelling from Queenstown, Ireland aboard the ship "Golden Empire" arriving in Brisbane, Australia in July 1863 4
Mrs. Margaret O'Gorman, (b. 1843), aged 20, Irish settler travelling from Queenstown, Ireland aboard the ship "Golden Empire" arriving in Brisbane, Australia in July 1863 4
Mr. John O'Gorman, (b. 1863), aged Infant, Irish settler travelling from Queenstown, Ireland aboard the ship "Golden Empire" arriving in Brisbane, Australia in July 1863 4

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

James Aloysius O'Gorman (1860-1943), American politician, Senator from New York (1911-1917)
James F. O'Gorman (b. 1933), leading American architectural historian who taught for many years at Wellesley College
William J. O'Gorman, American politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 21st District, 1912 5
Michael J. O'Gorman, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1950 5
James R. O'Gorman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1896 5
James Aloysius O'Gorman (1860-1943), American Democratic Party politician, Justice of New York Supreme Court 1st District, 1900-11; U.S. Senator from New York, 1911-17 5
Frank O'Gorman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Minnesota, 1948, 1952; Democratic-Farmer-Labor Candidate for Presidential Elector for Minnesota, 1956 5
Francis J. O'Gorman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1924 (alternate), 1928 5
Roderic O'Gorman, Irish Green Party candidate in the 2007 Irish general election
Larry O'Gorman (b. 1968), former Irish sportsman who played hurling with Wexford in the 1990s
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The O'Gorman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Primi et ultimi in bello
Motto Translation: First and last in war.

Citations +

O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Ships List Passenger Lists Ship Golden Empire (Retrieved 26th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.ozlists.com/genies/shipping/special_lists/s_golden_empire.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html