O'Horo History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Horo

What does the name O'Horo mean?

Irish surnames are linked to the long Gaelic heritage of the Island nation. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Horo is Ó hEaghra, connoting a descendant of Eaghra. O'Horo is a patronymic surname, which derived from the vernacular given name tradition.

Early Origins of the O'Horo family

The surname O'Horo was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the O'Horo family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Horo research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Horo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Horo Spelling Variations

One explanation for the many variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname O'Horo were found in the many archives researched. These included Hara, Harra, O'Hara and others.

Early Notables of the O'Horo family

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

Migration of the O'Horo family

A great wave of Irish migration occurred during the 19th century as a direct result of English colonial rule and tight-fisted absentee landlords. Many of these Irish immigrants boarded passenger ships bound for North America. Those who migrated early enough were given land in either British North America or the United States; those who came in the late 19th century were typically employed in industrial centers as laborers. At whatever age they undertook the dangerous passage to North America, those Irish immigrants were essential to the speedy development of the two infant nations to which they arrived, whether they broke and settled land, helped build canals, bridges, and railroads, or produced products for consumer consumption. An examination of immigration and passenger lists has uncovered a large number of immigrants bearing the name O'Horo or one of its variants: Charles O'Hara, who came to Boston in 1716; Ann O'Hara, an English convict sent to Rappahannock, Virginia in 1740; David O'Hara, who was naturalized in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1783.

The O'Horo 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: Virtute et claritate
Motto Translation: By virtue and high repute.