Surname Conroy - Meaning and Origin

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H. Conroy

Conroy: What does the surname Conroy mean?

The surname Conroy is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Conraoi", where "Ó" signifies "descendant of" or "grandchild of", and "Conraoi" is a personal name. The personal name Conraoi is believed to signify "wolf king" or "hound of the plain", a combination of "cú" meaning wolf or hound and "rí" meaning king. The Conroys were an ancient Irish clan based in the provinces of Connacht and Leinster. Over the years, the surname has been anglicized into various forms including Conroy, Conree, and Conry. It's also important to note that the interpretations of surnames can vary, and the exact meaning of the name Conroy could differ slightly based on different sources and interpretations. Today, Conroy is a common surname in Ireland and also can be found in other parts of the world due to the Irish diaspora.

Conroy: Where does the name Conroy come from?

The surname Conroy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name 'Ó Conraoi' which translates to 'descendant of Conraoi'. The name Conraoi could mean 'wolf-king', 'hound of the plain', or 'warrior'. The Conroy family hailed from a sept located in the province of Connacht, specifically in counties Galway and Roscommon.

Today, the name Conroy is widespread in Ireland, particularly in its province of origin, Connacht. It can also be found in regions where Irish diaspora settled, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Despite its migrations, it remains significantly more common in Ireland than elsewhere. Overall, Conroy is relatively rare compared to other surnames, but wherever it exists, it stands as a symbol of the rich and vibrant Irish culture and heritage.

Variations of the surname Conroy

The surname Conroy is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic name "O Conraoi." Variants of this surname often occur due to the phonetic spelling by English scribes, since the English language had no comprehensive system to spell Gaelic names. Variants and spelling of Conroy can include: Conray, Conry, Conree, Connroy, Connry, Conro, Konroy and Konroe.

One variations is King, which is a synonym an English translation of Conroy (derived from "O Conraoi" with "Con" meaning hound and "Raoi" meaning King). In Ireland, people with the surname King are usually of the same genealogical origin as those bearing the surname Conroy.

Occasionally, Conroy may be represented by Mulconry, which was the surname of an ancient and distinguished family of chroniclers in Ireland.

The prefixes "O" or "Mc" (meaning "descendant of") have sometimes been associated with Conroy, though it's more common to see the surname without these prefixes in modern times. The prefixes are more commonly found in the original Gaelic form "O Conraoi" or "Mac Conraoi".

Famous people with the name Conroy

• Kevin Conroy: An American actor most popularly known for voicing Batman in various animated series and video games.
• Pat Conroy: An American novelist and author, well-known for his books "The Great Santini" and "The Prince of Tides."
• Tim Conroy: A former American Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Frank Conroy: An American author who penned the memoir "Stop-Time."
• Michael D. Conroy: A state senator in Illinois.
• Charles Conroy: A New Zealand cricketer.
• Parisse Boothe: Born Parisse Ashlee Conroy, she is an American actress.
• Will Conroy: An American basketball coach and former player.
• Coral Conroy Heikens: A Book artist born with Conroy surname.
• Frances Conroy: An American actress known for her role in the television series "Six Feet Under."
• Michael Conroy: An Irish former football player.
• Billy Conroy: A former American professional baseball player.
• Gerald Conroy: A British civil servant.
• Thomas Beirne Conroy: An American politician, served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
• Helen Conroy: An Australian swimmer who won the silver medal at the 1992 Summer Paralympics.

Other surnames

Conron