Surname Holleran - Meaning and Origin
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Holleran: What does the surname Holleran mean?
The last name Holleran is of Irish origin. The name is a variant of the Gaelic name O hUallachain, which translated to either “descendant of the proud one” or “descendant of the ruler.” Both of these translations indicate a proud and powerful personality.
The name Holleran is reported to have been found in County Roscommon and the adjacent county of Leitrim. It is suggested that the name was brought to Ireland during the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion.
In more recent times, the name Holleran is believed to have had some popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the descendants of the name are believed to have emigrated to the United States in the 1800s.
Today, the name Holleran is common in both the United States and Ireland. This affluent family name is particularly associated with the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. The name Holleran often carries connotations of an ambitious, hard-working, and honest person, qualities which have earned many families with this surname success in their chosen fields of endeavor.
Order DNA origin analysisHolleran: Where does the name Holleran come from?
The surname Holleran is an Anglicisation of the Irish surname O hUallacháin which is derived from the old Irish Ua (.e. hEochagain. In Ireland, the surname is still most commonly found in County Kerry, most notably in the Glenflesk or Glencar area of South-West Kerry.
Outside of Ireland, the surname is also found in Scotland, United Kingdom, North America and Australia. In Canada, the surname is reported to be most common in Ontario and Alberta, while in the United States, most responses to surname frequency surveys indicate the Holleran name is most common in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York.
The name has grown in popularity and frequency over the past two decades, and according to the 2010 United States Census, there were over 38,000 people with the surname Holleran living in the US. There are also around 1820 people bearing the name in the UK, more than 2800 people in Canada and around 2500 in Australia.
It is likely the surname's frequency and popularity has grown due to the numerous emigration services that connect families to their ancestral homes, as well as the widespread use of ancestry websites which allow people to easily trace their family tree.
Variations of the surname Holleran
Holleran is an Irish surname that originated in County Cork, Ireland. The variants, spellings, and different surnames of the same origin for Holleran are Holleron, Halloran, Halleran, Holloran, Hollerran, Holloran, Hollerhn, Hallerhn, Hollarn, and Hollirean.
Holleran is derived from the old Gaelic word 'O' hUallachain', which means descendant of Uallachan. The Uallachan was an old Irish name derived from the Irish word ‘uallach’, which means proud. The earliest recorded Holleran roots can be traced back to the 16th century. One example is Edmond Holleran, who owned land and lived in Cork in 1580s.
Hollerans originally arrived in Ireland from England in 16th and 17th century. They initially settled in County Cork and then spread to other parts of Ireland. The name Holleran is now common in Ireland, Australia, and the United States.
The different spellings of Holleran were established over time. The need for distinction further resulted in the creation of other surnames of the same origin. While Hallaran and Halleran are common variations of Holleran, Holloran and Hollerran have also entered the fray. Other surnames like Hollarn, Hollirean, and Hollerhn are also related to Holleran.
Famous people with the name Holleran
- Emma Holleran: former professional footballer who represented the Republic of Ireland national women's team at U17, U19 and Senior levels.
- Steve Holleran: American birth and labor rights activist who is the executive director of The Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA).
- Walker Holleran: fashion designer who is best known for his unique approach to creating formal wear and everyday clothing.
- Christopher Holleran: award-winning playwright and screenwriter who has worked with theatres in the United States and across Europe.
- Abigail Holleran: British soprano opera singer and musicologist whose works include operatic roles in The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Carmen.
- Patrick Holleran: celebrated English landscape painter and five-time Royal Academy of Arts exhibitor who is known for his seascape painting Dancing With the Waves.
- Denny Holleran: pioneering television journalist and author who has made significant contributions to the industry in over four decades of work.
- Mick Holleran: former professional rugby league footballer who played over 200 first-grade matches in the New South Wales Rugby League.
- Jack Holleran: American contemporary abstract artist and painter who has held numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide.
- Sarah Holleran: accomplished classical flautist and music educator who has received numerous international awards for her performance.