O'Corcoran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Corcoran

What does the name O'Corcoran mean?

The name O'Corcoran comes from the Gaelic Mac Corcrain or Ó Corcrain, both of which are derived from the word "corcair," which now means purple, but originally meant ruddy. 1

Early Origins of the O'Corcoran family

The surname O'Corcoran was first found in County Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the O'Corcoran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Corcoran research. Another 194 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1001, 1172, 1373, 1641, 1691, 1827, 1861 and 1863 are included under the topic Early O'Corcoran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Corcoran Spelling Variations

One must realize that attempting to record a Gaelic name in English was a daunting task. Even today the translation is a difficult one. Accordingly, spelling variations were the norm. Variations found include MacCorcoran, O'Corcoran and others.

Early Notables of the O'Corcoran family

More information is included under the topic Early O'Corcoran Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Corcoran family

A great wave of Irish migration occurred during the 19th century as a direct result of English colonial rule and tight-fisted absentee landlords. Many of these Irish immigrants boarded passenger ships bound for North America. Those who migrated early enough were given land in either British North America or the United States; those who came in the late 19th century were typically employed in industrial centers as laborers. At whatever age they undertook the dangerous passage to North America, those Irish immigrants were essential to the speedy development of the two infant nations to which they arrived, whether they broke and settled land, helped build canals, bridges, and railroads, or produced products for consumer consumption. An examination of immigration and passenger lists has uncovered a large number of immigrants bearing the name O'Corcoran or one of its variants: Thomas Corcoran who settled in New York State in 1811; Edward Corcoran, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1825; Andrew Corcoran, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1832.

The O'Corcoran Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In fide et in bello fortis
Motto Translation: Strong in both faith and war.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)