Surname Kirrane - Meaning and Origin
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Kirrane: What does the surname Kirrane mean?
Kirrane is an Irish surname of Norman origin. Its first recorded use was in the 13th century and is found mainly in County Galway and County Mayo in Connacht, Ireland.
The surname was first found in Connacht where they were known as de Kyren, which was then Anglicized to Kirrane. The name itself is thought to have come from the ancient Gaelic O'Ciardha and is believed to mean either "descendent of Ciar" or "lord of the woods".
Kirrane is a relatively rare Irish surname but is still associated with the area of Galway, where many of the original Clan Kirrane have settled. It is speculated that the family originated in Ireland with Norman settlers or knights, who may have come to the area in the 12th or 13th centuries. They were settled in the Turlough area near the Galway coast, as well as in the barony of Tirawley in County Mayo.
The Clan Kirrane is associated with several significant historical events in Irish history. They were part of a clan that fought against the English conquest of Connacht in 1599, and they were involved in a rebellion against Oliver Cromwell in 1650. This clan would later become known as the Wild Geese after they were exiled to France and Spain following the Jacobite wars.
Kirrane is an old and proud surname still held in high esteem in Ireland, and many of the original family members are still living in the local area. It is a reminder of a long and proud Irish history, and is the proud surname of all those who are descended from the original Clan Kirrane.
Order DNA origin analysisKirrane: Where does the name Kirrane come from?
The last name Kirrane is found mainly in Ireland and Canada, though it can also be found in other countries around the world. In Ireland, the majority of those bearing the last name Kirrane (or any of its variants) live in Connacht, mainly in Counties Mayo and Galway. It is believed the Kirrane surname originated from the Irish Mac an Mhártain sept located in the Parish of Ballymacward in County Galway, where it is still relatively common today.
In Canada, the last name Kirrane is moderately common, particularly around the cities of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in the province of Ontario and Quebec. The earliest known record of someone bearing the name Kirrane in Canada dates back to the mid-1800s and is noted in the 1851 census for Brock township in Ontario.
Elsewhere, people bearing the last name Kirrane are scattered throughout the world, from the United States to New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to Sweden. Though it is not as common as it used to be, the Kirrane surname remains a popular one in many countries with a significant Irish population.
Variations of the surname Kirrane
The surnames Kirrane, Ó Cirín, O' Kierceen, and Carrane all have the same Irish Gaelic origin. The original Irish Gaelic spelling of this surname is Ó Cirín, which derives from the ancient Irish word 'círin', meaning pointed or sharp. This surname has its roots in County Mayo and is derived from the Irish name Mac Giolla Chirín.
Kirrane is the spelling most common in the United States, where it arrived due to the waves of Irish immigration that happened during the 19th Century. It is one of the variations of the name found in the United States with O' Kierceen and Carrane closely behind. In Ireland, the surname Ó Cirín is still predominantly used, although Kirrane is also found.
Transcriptions of traditional Irish names often vary: The spelling of Kirrane can appear as Kearane, Kirraney, Keerin, Cerin, O' Kerrane, and Kirren. Carrane is sometimes seen as Caron, Mc Caranne, and O' Carran. O' Kierceen may also be spelled Kierceen, Kierceon, Kierceen, and Kierceen.
Despite the wide range of spellings, all of these surnames share a Gaelic origin. It is important to bear in mind that spellings vary greatly depending on the transcriber, although they all ultimately derive from the same source.
In short, the surname Kirrane and its other variants of Ó Cirín, O' Kierceen, and Carrane all derive from the same Irish Gaelic source. The wide range of spellings can be attributed to the inconsistency of transcription over the years, which has allowed for these different variants to develop and take on different forms in different countries.
Famous people with the name Kirrane
- Sean Kirrane: An Irish professional footballer with Ipswich Town since 2019.
- Ciara Kirrane: An Irish Paralympic swimmer who won gold medals at the London 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.
- Ginny Kirrane: An American film and theatre actress who has appeared in projects such as “The Handmaid’s Tale”, “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You”, and “Up for Love”.
- Tony Kirrane: An Irish actor best known for his performance in “Love/Hate” and “Brian Boru: The Warrior King”.
- Eamon Kirrane: An Irish professional rugby player who represented the Ulster Rugby team from 2007 to 2010.
- Jamie Kirrane: An Irish rock music producer who’s credits include producing albums for Irish band U2 and rock band You Me at Six.
- Barry Kirrane: An Irish politician and former member of the Labour Party.
- Niall Kirrane: An Irish Sniper and former member of the Irish army.
- Deirdre Kirrane: An Irish health-care activist and campaigner for better conditions for disabled people.
- Stephen Kirrane: An Irish comedian and actor who has appeared in projects such as “The Guard” and “DaVinci’s Demons”.