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

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

Early Origins of the O'Conner family

The surname O'Conner was first found in Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The chief O'Connor Kerry was lord of a vast area north of Kerry prior to the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1170, when they were pushed further north.

Early History of the O'Conner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Conner research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1761, 1763, 1834 and 1852 are included under the topic Early O'Conner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Conner Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this 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.

Early Notables of the O'Conner family

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

O'Conner Ranking

In the United States, the name O'Conner is the 4,066th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


Australia O'Conner migration to Australia +

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

O'Conner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Catherine O'Conner, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Marshall Bennett" 2
  • Mary O'Conner, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Marshall Bennett" 2
  • Bridget O'Conner, aged 26, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" 3
  • Bridget O'Conner, aged 22, a dairy maid, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Nugget" 4
  • Bridget O'Conner, aged 18, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Nugget" 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand O'Conner 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'Conner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Michael O'Conner, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gainsborough" in 1878 5
  • Johanna O'Conner, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gainsborough" in 1878 5
  • Bridget O'Conner, aged 17, a housemaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "British Queen" in 1883 6

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

  • James Francis O'Conner (1861-1940), American sailor, recipient of the Medal of Honor
  • Patricia T. O'Conner (b. 1949), American author of books about the English language
  • Frank Q. O'Conner, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 10.75 aerial victories
  • T. O'Conner, Australian rugby league footballer c. 1917
  • Elizabeth O'Conner (b. 1913), Australian novelist who writes under the name Barbara Lowe


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARSHALL BENNETT 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/marshallbennett1852.shtml
  3. South Australian Register Monday 27th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Edward Parry 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/siredwardparry1854.shtml
  4. South Australian Register Tuesday 4th July 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nugget 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/nugget1854.shtml
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 3rd November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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