Irish surname search
(O)Horan, Haren
The true sept of O'Horan (O hOdhrain in Irish) originated in Co. Galway whence they spread into Co. Mayo and are now fairly numerous in those Connacht counties. Another Gaelic surname, O hArrachain, which is a corruption of O Hannradhain (anglice Hanrahan) is commonly anglicized Horan, though in Thomond (Co. Clare), where this minor Dalcassian sept originated, it is usually pronounced, and sometimes written, more phonetically Harhan. Other anglicized forms recorded in Co.. Clare are Haren and Haran. Even when written Horan it is pronounced with an internal aspirate which is more accurately represented by the form Haughran, found int the birth registers of Co. Offaly as a synonym of Horan and often changed to Horan. Yet another variant in this case peculiar to Co.. cork, is O'Hourahan or O'Horahan, a rare name but one familiar formerly to readers of The Nation on account of its regular contributor M.J. O'Horahan. This family, quite distinct from the Thomond one, belonged to Co. Cork and were erenaghs of Ross. The Horans now found in not inconsiderable numbers in Co.. Cork are of this stock. The distinguished Admiral Horan of the British Navy is the son of a Co. Limerick man, presumably of Thomond lineage. The name has not been prominent in Irish cultural or political history.