Surname Holloran - Meaning and Origin
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Holloran: What does the surname Holloran mean?
The last name Holloran is an Irish surname deriving from the Celtic words for “stranger”, “foreigner” or “outsider”. In some cases, it is also a variant of the Irish surname Holleran.
The name is commonly found throughout the counties of Cork and Kerry, although it has spread to other parts of the Republic of Ireland and other countries.
The name may also be derived from the Norman-influenced name Houlihan, which originated from the Irish word O’ hUallaighan, meaning descendant of Uallachain, a personal name derived from the Old Irish (Gaelic) words for ‘rule’ and ‘determination’.
Early scholars speculated that the origin of the name could be traced to the Irish people of the Uí Laoidhe tribe, who settled in what is now the Barony of Slieve Loughe, County Derry (Northern Ireland). Historical records suggest that the Uí Laodhe tribe were descended from the Uí Néill, one of the more powerful clans of Ireland.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Holloran was in the family tree of a courtier named William Holloran from Whitechurch Parish, County Cork, which dates to 1667.
Today, the last name Holloran is still used widely in modern-day Ireland, but is also found across the world in the US, Canada, Australia, and England, among other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisHolloran: Where does the name Holloran come from?
The surname Holloran is primarily of Irish origin and is still found mainly in Ireland today. The name is derived from the Old Gaelic 'O' hOelurain', which itself comes from the Gaelic 'O' hOileurain'. Records of the name date back to as far as 1238, when William O' hOelurain was mentioned in Connacht.
The name can also be found in small numbers in other Northern and Western European countries, especially in places where there is a sizeable population of people of Irish origin. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in the South and Northeastern regions but there are pockets in almost all states. It is especially common in the states of Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Louisiana.
The 1930 United States Census showed approximately 2900 families with the name of Holloran living across the country, but the exact number today is harder to determine. According to Ancestry.com, the name is currently found in more than 15,000 records across America. Additionally, the name is still relatively common in Ireland and the United Kingdom, most especially in counties Galway and Clare.
Variations of the surname Holloran
The surname Holloran is an English and Irish surname. The Irish variant of the surname is spelled Ó hUallacháin, Ó hAllmhuráin, Ó hUallacháin, Ó hUallacháin, and Ó hUallacháin. In England the surname is more commonly found as Holloran or Holleran.
Variations of the surname include: Holleran, Helleran, Hamilton, Halleren, Holloran, Hoolaren, Hollern, and Holleron. Common nicknames and pet forms include: Hally, Haley, Holl, and Holler.
The surname Holloran is primarily found in Ireland with 56 percent of all recorded Hollorans residing there. Other countries with high populations of Hollorans include the United States, Australia, England and Canada.
Hollorans are believed to be descendants of the ancient Irish Gaelic O'hUallachain (Ó hUallacháin) clan.The name was originally derived from the Gaelic phrase Uallach, which means proud. The name likely originated from the Uí Fiachrach people, a branch of the Connachta dynasty who descended from Fiachra, the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Hollorans and their variants are fairly uncommon but still widely dispersed in areas of Ireland, the United States, Australia, England and Canada. The surname is still primarily associated with those of Irish heritage which still seems to be its most common form.
Famous people with the name Holloran
- John Holloran: American jazz saxophonist and session musician, he released over 30 albums, collaborated with artists such as Sting and worked with renowned producers.
- Stephen Holloran: Australian microbiologist and professor at the University of Sydney, he was awarded the Clunies Ross Award for his work on microbial biochemistry.
- Kevin Holloran: Irish actor, best known for playing the role of Deputy Mayor Dylan in the RTÉ drama series "Red Rock".
- Heather Holloran: English author, she has published six young adult novels and several children's books.
- Andrew Holloran: American soccer player, he gained recognition in the early 2000s while playing for the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Stuart Holloran: American animator and director, best known for working on the Academy Award-winning Disney short "The Little Match Girl".
- Billy Holloran: Canadian ice hockey player, he played nearly 350 professional games in the National Hockey League.
- Krista Holloran: American figure skater, winner of the 1997 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
- Caroline Holloran: Canadian alpine skier, she won the bronze medal at the 1994 World Cup.
- Alexander Holloran: American architect, best known for designing many homes in Boston, Massachusetts.