O'Riordain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Riordain

What does the name O'Riordain mean?

The name O'Riordain has changed considerably in the time that has passed since its genesis. It originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Riordain. The original form of the surname was Ó Rioghbhardain, which was originally derived from the words "riogh bhard," meaning "royal bard."

Early Origins of the O'Riordain family

The surname O'Riordain was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster.

Early History of the O'Riordain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Riordain research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1750 are included under the topic Early O'Riordain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Riordain Spelling Variations

The archives that survive today demonstrate the difficulty experienced by the scribes Middle Ages in their attempts to record these names in writing. Spelling variations of the name O'Riordain dating from that time include O'Riordan, Riordan, O'Rearden, Rearden and others.

Early Notables of the O'Riordain family

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

Migration of the O'Riordain family

Ireland saw an enormous decrease in its population in the 19th century due to immigration and death. This pattern of immigration began slowly in the late 18th century and gradually grew throughout the early portion of the 19th century. However, a dramatic increase in the country's immigration numbers occurred when the Great Potato Famine struck in the 1840s. The early immigrants to North America were primarily destined to be farmers tending to their own plot of land, those that came later initially settled within pre-established urban centers. These urban immigrants provided the cheap labor that the fast developing United States and soon to be Canada required. Regardless of their new lifestyle in North America, the Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada made invaluable contributions to their newly adopted societies. An investigation of immigrant and passenger lists revealed many O'Riordains: Matthias D. O'Riordon, who was on record in America in 1816; Robt Oriordan, who came to North America in 1847; Denis, Cornelius, Michael and Thomas Rearden, who all settled in Philadelphia in 1857.

The O'Riordain 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: Pro Deo et patria
Motto Translation: For God and country.