Darrah
An Irish surname most often linked to a word for an oak tree, with several close spelling variants.
The #9,531 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 90,541 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is usually treated as an Anglicized Irish form related to Gaelic words for “oak” or an oak grove, reflecting the old importance of the tree in place-names and family names. The historical spellings recorded by Irish surname scholars include Daragh, Darra, Darrah, and Darrock, showing that the name was written in several similar ways. Because early sources are inconsistent, the exact Gaelic source form is not always stated with confidence.
History
Irish surname lists from the early 20th century place Darrah among forms associated with Gaelic names beginning with dar-/dair-, the oak element. In English-language records it has been recorded with many spellings, which is common for Irish names that were translated or standardized unevenly. Today it is a relatively uncommon surname, including in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Oak-related surnames are especially common in Irish naming tradition because the oak was a major symbol of strength and longevity.
From the historical record
“O T)A|iA, 0 X)AttA6, Daragh, Darra, Darragh, Darrah, Darrock ; Oak, Oakes, Oaks. O *OAtAil, Dahill. 6 X>AtlAoic, Dolly.”
— Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish names and surnames