SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "O"

[O], [Oakley], [O'Brien], [O'Connell], [O'Connor], [O'Donnell], [Ogden], [O'Hara], [O'Keefe], [O'Leary], [O'Neill], [O'Reilly], [Oliver], [Osborne], [O'Shea], [Oswald], [O'Toole], [Owens]

O - The 'O' prefix which is commonly associated with Irish/Gaelic family names is thought to denote "descendants of", showing an individuals relationship with their ancestors. Not to be confused with "son of" which is generally indicated by a Mac or Mc prefix.

OAKLEY - Derived from a specific location which literally means "Oak Clearing" and which attached itself to those people that lived there.

O'BRIEN - The "O" prefix is said to denote "descendant of", so presumably the surname identifies the grandson with the grandfather meaning O'Brien = "grandson of" Brian. The modern name is derived from the early name "Briain" which meant "of high birth" or noble"

O'CONNELL - The modern Irish family name is said to originate from the Gaelic forename "Conaill" which denotes a man who was "strong as a wolf"

O'CONNOR - This typically Irish/Gaelic surname is thought to originate from the name "Conchobhair" which denotes a "sponsor or patron of warriors"

O'DONNELL - The modern Irish family name is thought to derive from the Gaelic name "Domhnail" which was said to mean "worldly and mighty".

OGDEN - A locative family name derived from a specific place, in this case "Oak Valley" which has its roots in the early English words "Ac" = Oak and "Denu" = Valley. The most famous English holders of the surname were the fictional Stan & Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street.

O'HARA - Given the above explanation, the same applies, although the "Hara" in the family name is likely to represent a corruption of the name first name "Harry" meaning O'Hara = "grandson of" Harry.

O'KEEFE - A name associated with Ireland and thought to derive from the Gaelic word "Caoimh" which is said to mean "gentle".

O'LEARY - This typically Irish family surname is said to originate from the Gaelic word or name "Laoghaire" which was thought to identify an "calf or cattle herder".

O'NEILL - Thought to be derived from the Gaelic name "Niall" a famous Irish ruler

O'REILLY - The Irish family name is derived from the Irish/Gaelic name "Raghallaigh"

OLIVER - More commonly used a first name, rather than a family name, it has been suggested that it first arrived in Britain with the French forces of William the Conqueror and might have originated from the continental name "Olaf".

OSBORNE - The Anglo Saxon Chronicles record an Earl named "Osbern" which is one potential source for this later family name. However, a son of the Anglo Saxon Earl "Siward" was reported to have been called "Osborn" who died in 1054AD.

O'SHEA - Thought to be derived from the Irish/Gaelic name "Seaghdha" which denoted someone who was "refined or stately".

OSWALD - Possibly originates from the Saint Oswold and is recorded as being an ancient Germanic name, which presumably came into common use following the Norman Conquest of Britain.

O'TOOLE - The family name "Toole" is thought to originate from the Gaelic word "Tuathall" which meant "people"

OWENS - Early common forename in Wales, its use as a family name is thought to have resulted from the regular practice of associating the son with his father ie "Owens son" = "Owens" The first name "Owen" is suggested to have its roots in the Latin names Eugenius or Audoenus

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