O'Rourke - Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Ó Ruairc
Meaning: from a Norse personal name
Traditional stronghold: Leitrim
Kings of Breffni.
Pronunciation: oh-RORK; Irish Ó Ruairc: oh ROO-irk
History of the O'Rourke name
The O'Rourkes, Ó Ruairc, descend from Ruarc, a name borrowed from the Norse Hrothrekr, and were for five centuries kings and princes of Breifne, ruling Leitrim and much of Cavan from Dromahair. The elopement of Dervorgilla, wife of Tiernan O'Rourke, with Diarmait Mac Murchada in 1152 set in train the events that brought the Normans to Ireland. Brian na Múrtha O'Rourke, who sheltered Spanish Armada survivors, was hanged at Tyburn in 1591. After the confiscations, exiled O'Rourkes won titles and high military rank in Russia, Poland and Austria, while the name at home remains rooted in Leitrim.
Variants: O'Rorke · Rourke · Roark · Rooke
Famous bearers of the name
- Brian na Múrtha Ó Ruairc - Lord of Breifne executed in London in 1591 for aiding Armada survivors.
- Derval O'Rourke - Cork sprint hurdler, world indoor 60m hurdles champion in 2006.
- P. J. O'Rourke - Irish-American satirist and political humorist.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Clancy · Reynolds · Beirne · Berrigan · Forde · McKeon · Meehan