Horan — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Ó hOdhráin
Meaning: 'dun-coloured (from odhar)'
Traditional stronghold: Galway, Mayo
Pronunciation: HOR-un; Irish Ó hOdhráin: oh HOH-rawn
History of the Horan name
Ó hOdhráin derives from the personal name Odhrán, a diminutive of odhar, 'dun' or 'sallow', a name borne by several early Irish saints including St Ciarán's tutor. The surname is chiefly a Connacht one, long established in Mayo and Galway, though families of similar name arose independently in Munster. Mayo gave the name two of its most famous modern bearers: Monsignor James Horan, the parish priest whose sheer force of will built the basilica at Knock and an international airport on a foggy bog, and James Horan the football manager; while Mullingar's Niall Horan carried it to global pop stardom with One Direction.
Variants: Haran · Horane
Famous bearers of the name
- James Horan — Monsignor of Knock who built the shrine's basilica and Ireland West Airport.
- Niall Horan — Mullingar-born singer and member of One Direction.
- Marcus Horan — Munster and Ireland prop, Grand Slam winner in 2009.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Kelly · Walsh · Lynch · Connolly · Burke · Clarke · Hughes · Keane