Show ContentsO'Moran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many Irish surnames come from the Gaelic language native to Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Moran is Ó Morain or Ó Moghrain, and is most likely derived from the word "mor" which means "big."

Early Origins of the O'Moran family

The surname O'Moran was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht.

Early History of the O'Moran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Moran research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Moran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Moran Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name O'Moran revealed spelling variations, including Moran, O'Moran, Murrin, Murran and others.

Early Notables of the O'Moran family

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

Migration of the O'Moran family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the O'Moran name: Alice Moran, who came to Vermont in 1844; Amand Moran, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1795; Andrew Moran, who came to New York in 1840; Bridget Moran, who came to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1847.


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

  • Jacques O'Moran, Irish-born, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 1


The O'Moran 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: Lucent in tenebris
Motto Translation: They shine in darkness.


  1. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, June 16) Jacques O'Moran. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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