O'Riordan Surname History

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Riordan

What does the name O'Riordan mean?

The name O'Riordan has changed considerably in the time that has passed since its genesis. It originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Riordain. The original form of the surname was Ó Rioghbhardain, which was originally derived from the words "riogh bhard," meaning "royal bard."

Early Origins of the O'Riordan family

The surname O'Riordan was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster.

Early History of the O'Riordan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Riordan research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1750 are included under the topic Early O'Riordan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Riordan Spelling Variations

The spelling of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was rarely consistent. This inconsistency was due to the scribes and church officials' attempts to record orally defined names in writing. The common practice of recording names as they sounded resulted in spelling variations such as O'Riordan, Riordan, O'Rearden, Rearden and others.

Early Notables of the O'Riordan family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Dr. M. O'Riordan, Author

O'Riordan migration to the United States +

Irish families began to immigrate to British North America and the United States in the 18th century, but the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. The earlier settlers came to North America after a great deal of consideration and by paying relatively high fees for their passage. These settlers were primarily drawn by the promise of land. Those later settlers that came during the 1840's were trying to escape the conditions of poverty, starvation, disease, and death that had stricken Ireland. Due to the enormity of their numbers and the late date of their arrival, these immigrants primarily became hired laborers instead of homesteading settlers like their predecessors. An exhaustive search of immigration and passenger lists has revealed many Irish immigrants North America bearing the name O'Riordan:

O'Riordan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Robert Oriordan, who settled in North America in 1847

O'Riordan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Thomas O'Riordan, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Dublin, in 1904
John O'Riordan, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Cork, Ireland, in 1907
Michael O'Riordan, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States from Millstreet, Ireland, in 1907
Daniel O'Riordan, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Macroom, Ireland, in 1908
Eleanor O'Riordan, aged 19, who landed in America from Killarney, Ireland, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name O'Riordan (post 1700) +

Thomas O'Riordan (1937-2022), Irish long-distance runner who competed in the men's 5000 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan (1971-2018), Irish singer and songwriter, known for her work with The Cranberries and her solo career
John C. O'Riordan C.S.Sp. (1924-2016), Irish-born Sierra Leonean Prelate of Roman Catholic Church
Maurice Francis "Mossy" O'Riordan (1926-2008), Irish hurler who played from 194 to 1952 for Cork; he won two All-Ireland medals and three Munster medals
Michael O'Riordan (1917-2006), Irish General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland (1970-1983), Chairman of the Communist Party of Ireland (1983-1989)
Mark O'Riordan (b. 1980), Irish contemporary hurler
Gerry O'Riordan, Irish hurler who played in the 1940s
Donald Joseph "Don" O'Riordan (b. 1957), Irish former professional footballer and football manager
Brendan O'Riordan, Irish former footballer who played in the 1970s, younger brother of Don O'Riordan
Eugene O'Riordan, Irish author and professor of mathematics at the Dublin City University School of Mathematical Sciences, Dublin
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)