Harran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Harran

What does the name Harran mean?

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 Harran as Ó hOdhrain, which is derived from the word odhar, which means dun-colored. 1

Early Origins of the Harran family

The surname Harran 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 Harran family

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

Harran 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 Harran 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 Harran family

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

Harran migration to the United States +

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Harran family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Harran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Harran, aged 7, who arrived in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1804 2
Ann Harran, aged 15, who landed in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1804 2
Barbara Harran, aged 11, who arrived in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1804 2
Elizabeth Harran, aged 37, who landed in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1804 2
Jane Harran, aged 8, who arrived in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1804 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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)