O'Connor
An Irish surname meaning “descendant of Connor,” tied to one of the best-known Gaelic family names.
The #417 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 3,962 Americans shares it.
Etymology
O'Connor is the anglicized form of Irish Ó Conchobhair, meaning “descendant of Conchobhar.” The personal name Conchobhar is usually explained as containing elements meaning “hound” and “desire” or “will,” though its exact ancient sense is debated. In practice, the surname identifies descent from an ancestral man named Connor/Conor, a very common Irish given name.
History
The name belongs to several major Irish dynasties, especially in Connacht and other parts of Ireland, and has long been associated with powerful Gaelic ruling families. In English records it often appears without the apostrophe as OConnor, Connor, or Conner, especially after anglicization and migration. It is now widely found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and other diaspora communities.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The surname is shared by several unrelated Irish lineages, so not every O'Connor family descends from the same ancestral clan.