Surname Loughran - Meaning and Origin

Loughran: What does the surname Loughran mean?

The last name Loughran is derived from the Irish language, specifically the Gaelic language. It is transliterated from the Irish spelling Ó Lochrain, which is composed of the elements “O” meaning “grandson or descendant of” combined with the personal name Lochlainn. This personal name is derived from the Gaelic word “loch” meaning “lake” and “lann” meaning “lakeland, marshland”, so the surname Loughran is descriptive, meaning “descendant of the person from lakeland”.

The Clan Loughran is a family sept of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster in Northern Ireland and people with the surname Loughran are still mainly found in that country today. The O'Neills originated in what is now County Tipperary and were traditionally a faction of the larger Ui Néill. The family formed alliances with other prominent clans such as the O'Rourkes, the MacMahon's and the McGoverns in order to protect their lands.

The Loughran name is also found in other countries around the world, suggesting that the original Clan may have sometimes migrated to other places. Loughran families were first documented in North America in the mid-1800s and many have since settled in places such as Canada, the United States, and Australia.

The history and meaning of the Loughran name is one that is strongly tied to the culture and people of Ireland and can provide a sense of connection to a place and a people that has endured for centuries.

Loughran: Where does the name Loughran come from?

The last name Loughran is most commonly found today in Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland. It is believed to have originated in the County Leitrim region of Ireland.

The clan of Loughran is also believed to have originated in the Middle Ages from the noble family of Loughran, who were based in County Leitrim and were descended from the Ultonian King Cairbre Daim Argait. During the Elizabethan Conquest of Ireland, many members of the Loughran clan sided with the English, and thus the family spread throughout the British Isles.

Today, the last name Loughran is most common in Northern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Tyrone, Antrim, Fermanagh and Armagh. The name is also quite common in the Republic of Ireland, particularly in the Counties of Leitrim, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. In Scotland and England, the lastname Loughran is quite rare, though it does exist in both countries.

In the United States, the last name Loughran is most common in the states of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It is also found in small numbers in other states such as California, Texas, and Florida.

Variations of the surname Loughran

The Loughran surname originated in Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic name of ‘O’Lochrain’. It has experienced considerable spelling variations throughout history including Loughran, Loughren, Loughrin, Loughrane, O'Loughran, O'Loughrin, O'Lochrain and O'Lochran.

Loughran is most common in Northern Ireland, particularly in the Tyrone and Armagh regions where the majority of Loughrans live. There is a town in Antrim County called Loughran, which some believe may be the origin of the surname.

Surnames that share the same origin as Loughran include O'Loughlin, O'Loughnane, O'Loughrey, O'Loughney, MacLysaght and O'Lochearn. Each of these surnames is derived from the same root as Loughran and has similar spellings in both English and Irish.

The etymology of the name comes from the Irish word ‘lochrain’ which means ‘sea-ruler’ or ‘ruler of the lake’, in this case referring to Lake Loughran in Antrim County.

When recorded in documents, Loughran is often written as a patronymic, meaning it is accompanied by a given name, this is usually mentioned in the surname, for example O’Loughran or MacLysaght.

The spelling of Loughran has remained relatively consistent and unaltered throughout its history, this is due to its strong link to the lake from which it was derived. As a result, anyone with the surname Loughran can be sure that they share a common ancestry.

Famous people with the name Loughran

• Jimmy Loughran, Irish actor, producer, and director.
• C. S. Loughran, former professional American football player.
• Lee Loughran, radio presenter.
• Edward Louis Loughran, American aviator and test pilot.
• Bernard Loughran, former Australian rules footballer.
• Matt Loughran, American actor and theater director.
• Pat Loughran, American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing champion and Hall of Fame inductee.
• Johnnie Loughran, American racecar driver.
• Barb Loughran, Canadian diver.
• Priscilla Loughran, professional equestrian show jumper.
• Eamonn Loughran, former professional boxer.
• Neil Loughran, Irish singer and songwriter.
• Dave Loughran, professional sports journalist.
• Markootie Loughran, Canadian artist and painter.
• Siobhan Loughran, British television presenter.
• Honor Loughran, British television actor.
• Elizabeth "Bessie" Loughran, journalist and feminist activist.
• Clare Loughran, American radio and television personality.
• Scott Loughran, professional golfer.
• Myra Loughran, American actress and writer.

Other surnames

LoughreyLoughrige