OConnor

OConnor, often written with variations such as O’Connor, OConor, or OConner, is a surname of Irish origin. It derives from the Gaelic Ó Conchobhair, meaning “descendant of Conchobar,” a personal name borne by several medieval kings of the kingdom of Connacht in Ireland.

Historically, the Ó Conchobhair dynasty ruled Connacht from early medieval times into the later medieval period. The name spread beyond the royal line through ordinary kin and intermarriage, and with Irish migration it became common across Ireland and in countries with Irish emigrant communities. Today it is widely found in Ireland, particularly in the province of Connacht, as well as in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Variants of the surname include O’Conor, OConor, and OConnor; some individuals or families may also anglicize the form as Connor or Conor. In addition to being a surname, the title O’Conor Don has historically been used for the head of the principal line descended from the Ó Conchobhair dynasty.

Notable bearers span politics, literature, sports, and public life, reflecting the name’s broad diaspora. In genealogical and historical contexts, OConnor commonly appears in studies of Irish kinship, medieval Irish history, and the spread of Irish families through migration. The name remains a recognizable marker of Irish heritage and lineage.