Show ContentsLorcen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many variations of the name Lorcen have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Ó Lorcain, which is derived from the old personal name Lorc, which means rough or fierce. 1

Early Origins of the Lorcen family

The surname Lorcen 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.

Early History of the Lorcen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lorcen research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1528, 1564, 1580, 1591, 1609 and 1619 are included under the topic Early Lorcen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lorcen Spelling Variations

The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period because the general population had to rely on local official's understanding of how their name should be spelt, hence spellings in records often changed through a person's lifetime. The following variations for the name Lorcen were encountered in the archives: Larkin, O'Larkin and others.

Early Notables of the Lorcen family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Thomas Lorkin (c.1528–1591), an English churchman, academic and physician, Regius Professor of Physic at Cambridge from 1564; and William...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lorcen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lorcen family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Lorcen to North America: William Larkin, who settled in Boston in 1630; Elizabeth Larkin, who settled in Virginia in 1637; Benjamin Larkin settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1720.



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


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