Surname Connor - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Historical Tapestry of the Connor Clan through the iGENEA DNA Test

Discovering one's lineage can be a riveting journey. The iGENEA DNA test served as my time machine that not only transported me back through the Connor clan's bold history but also connected me with the current global spread of the Connor name.

Z. Connor

Connor: What does the surname Connor mean?

The last name Connor is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name 'O'Conchobhair'. This compound name is formed from the elements 'Con', which means 'hound/dog’ symbolizing high-spiritedness or fidelity, and 'Cobhair', which means ‘aid or helper’. Therefore, O'Conchobhair, which evolved into Connor, can be loosely translated to mean 'descendant or grandson of the hound's aid' or 'lover of hounds'. The name may also suggest a faithful friend or aide. It is a popular surname in Ireland due to its association with several medieval high kings and heroes. However, it is prevalent in many English-speaking countries as people with Irish heritage have adopted it worldwide. Since surnames often origins from occupation, location, or ancestral nicknames, the bearer of the Connor surname may trace their lineage to a family in Irish history known for their traits of loyalty and helpfulness or their association with hounds, which might be involved in hunting or herding.

Connor: Where does the name Connor come from?

The last name Connor has Irish origins, specifically deriving from the Gaelic "O'Conchobhair", meaning 'descendant of Conchobhar’, a personal name that signifies 'lover of hounds'. This surname is notable within Irish history due to the O'Conchobhair rulers of Connacht, one of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland.

Today, Connor is a common surname in Ireland and it is also widespread among Irish diasporas located around the world. Large concentrations can be found in English-speaking countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, due to the substantial immigration of Irish people during the 19th and 20th centuries. There are various spelling forms of the surname including O'Connor, Conner, Conor, and Connors, all of which retain the essence of the original Gaelic name.

Variations of the surname Connor

The surname Connor can have several variants and spellings, mostly reflecting differences in regional dialects, abbreviations, and phonetic spellings. These variations include Conor, Conner, Konnor, Konner, Konor, Conors, O’Connor, O’Conor, O’Conner, Connors, and Conners. Some of these versions may also have additional prefixes such as “Mac”, indicating "son of" Connor.

The surname has Irish origins, deriving from the Gaelic "O'Conchobhair", which translates to "descendant of Conchobhar". This name Conchobhar combines “con” meaning “hound”, and “cath” translating to “warrior”. Other Irish surnames such as Connors and Connerty are also related to Connor.

Many surnames that have the same origin with Connor would in most cases start with an "O'", which signifies a descendant of a named ancestor. Examples include names like O’Brien, O’Neill, and O’Donnell. These illustrate the Irish tradition of passing on the father's name to his offspring.

Connolly and Conley, even though they seem similar, do not share the same origins as Connor. Their root is the Gaelic "O' Conghalaigh", meaning “valiant”. Thus, while there are many variations of the surname Connor, not all names that sound or look similar necessarily share the same origin.

Famous people with the name Connor

• Sarah Connor: A fictional character in the Terminator franchise. Though not a real person, she is a renowned character played by actresses Linda Hamilton and Emilia Clarke.
• Denis Connor: A Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• LaVell Blanchard: An American professional basketball player, born as LaVell DeAaron BlanchardConnor.
• Mike Connor: An American journalist who served as editor of the San Francisco Examiner.
• Elizabeth Connor: An Irish politician who served in the Irish Senate.
• Chris Connor: A renowned American jazz singer.
• William Davis Connor: A former United States federal judge.
• Sinead O'Connor: An Irish singer-songwriter who gained worldwide success in the late 1980s with her debut album. Note that her surname is original O'Connor, not Connor.
• John Connor: Another famous fictional character from the Terminator franchise, portrayed by various actors including Edward Furlong and Christian Bale.
• Kenneth Connor: An English actor known for his work in the Carry On films.
• Gavan O'Connor: An Australian politician.
• Gordon Connor: A Canadian ice hockey player.
• Arthur Connor: An English footballer. Please note that most of them have the surname O'Connor, which is a completely different name from Connor, but sometimes it gets shortened or misspelled as Connor.

Other surnames

ConnolanConnolayConnoleyConnollyConnolyConnonConnors