Origin & History

Anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic 'O Conchobhair', meaning 'descendant of Conchobar', where 'Conchobar' (anglicised Conor or Connor) is thought to derive from 'con' (hound, warrior) and 'cobhar' (desiring) — giving the sense of 'lover of hounds' or 'warrior of desire'. The O'Connors were one of the most ancient royal dynasties of Ireland: the O'Connors of Connacht provided the last High Kings of Ireland before the Anglo-Norman conquest, including Rory O'Connor, High King until 1198. Separate O'Connor septs also existed in Clare, Kerry, and Offaly.