Hourihan

Hourihan is a surname of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó hUiginn, meaning "descendant of Uiginn". The personal name Uiginn is believed to be derived from the Old Norse personal name Yngling, or possibly from the word 'uige' meaning 'wisdom'. The Hourihan clan was historically prominent in the west of Ireland, particularly in Connacht.

The name Hourihan, and its variations such as O'Hourihan or Horan, is found throughout Ireland and has also been carried by emigrants to other parts of the world, notably the United States, Canada, and Australia. Individuals with the surname Hourihan have contributed to various fields, including politics, sports, and the arts. The distribution of the name reflects historical patterns of migration and settlement. Genealogical research often traces ancestral roots back to specific regions in Ireland associated with the Ó hUiginn sept.