Surname O'Cartan - Meaning and Origin
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O'Cartan: What does the surname O'Cartan mean?
The last name O'Cartan is a form of the Irish surname Ó Catáin or MacCatáin. The origin of the name is uncertain, though there is speculation that it may trace back to the Old Irish personal name Catán, which means "hateful" or "battler". Alternatively, the name may be derived from the Irish Gaelic words for "son of the battle mentioned".
The earliest record of the name appears in the 15th century in Ulster in a tax list of Irish hereditary chiefs, the Uí Cairtín. From then on, the Ó Catáin family spread throughout the Irish countryside and gradually migrated to other regions of the world. In the United States, the O'Cartan variant is the most common spelling of the surname.
In modern times, the name O'Cartan can be found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There have been notable people who bear the last name such as award-winning Northern Irish television producer and author Patrick O'Cartan, and American actor Kevin O'Cartan.
Overall, the last name O'Cartan is associated with a lineage of strong-willed people who fought to protect their heritage throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Cartan: Where does the name O'Cartan come from?
The last name O'Cartan is most common today in areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland. This last name originates from the ancient Irish surname Ó Cártaigh, which is derived from the Gaelic word cártach, which translates to generous.
In County Mayo, there is a considerable concentration of people with the last name O'Cartan and a large number of families can also be found in County Sligo. The O'Cartan name can also be found in Northern Ireland in the counties of Antrim and Down. In Scotland, this surname can be found in Lennox, located in Dunbartonshire and also in Argyll, located in Argyllshire.
Outside of Ireland and the United Kingdom, it is perhaps most common in countries with an Irish diaspora, like Australia and the United States. Australia has historically drawn in migrants from Ireland, and as a result there are many Australians with the last name O'Cartan. It is most commonly found in the eastern states, such as New South Wales and Victoria. In the United States, O'Cartan is most common in the Midwest and Northeast regions. This is especially true in states with higher percentages of Irish ancestry, such as Massachusetts.
Overall, this last name is most common today in areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland, however it is present and growing in the United States and other countries with Irish descendants.
Variations of the surname O'Cartan
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname O'Cartan are O'Cahartan, O'Cartain, Kartan, Cartene, Cartan, Cahartane, Hartan, and Hartane.
O'Cartan, like many other surnames of Irish origin, is derived from the Gaelic personal name Cathair, which is comprised of two elements: coir, meaning "a consecrated ring," and tathair, meaning "father." This name is symbolic of a person who was blessed by a clan with a ring from their chieftain.
The most common form of O'Cartan is O'Cartain, which was the most widely used spelling of the name in the 19th century and continues to be in use today. The variant Kartan is derived from the Irish spelling of the same name, while variant Cartene is less common and likely derived through French. Variants Cahartane, Hartan, and Hartane are derived from phonetic spellings of the name's Gaelic origin.
In some cases, the prefix O' might have been dropped from the name, as was common for Irish surnames, and the name simply appears as Cartan, Cahartane, Hartan, or Hartane.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname O'Cartan are O'Cahartan, O'Cartain, Kartan, Cartene, Cartan, Cahartane, Hartan, and Hartane.
Famous people with the name O'Cartan
- Maureen O'Cartan: Irish lawyer and former Parliamentarian
- Conchobar O'Cartan: Irish lord portrayed in the 16th century Annals of the Four Masters
- Kaniehtí:io O'Cartan: Mohawk leader and warrior
- Emer O'Cartan: Founder of the Irish branch of the Choristers Guild
- Bernadette O'Cartan: Irish actress and playwright
- Ruari O'Cartan: Irish poet and scholar
- Pádraig O'Cartan: notable Irish architect
- Lydia O'Cartan: Irish journalist and television presenter
- Aidan O'Cartan: Irish actor known for his roles in films like 'Goldrush' and 'Little Darlings'
- Evan O'Cartan: Irish businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist