O'Connor Irish Family Gifts & Heritage

O’Connor comes from the Irish Ó Conchobhair, “descendant of Conchobhar,” an ancient personal name that Patrick Woulfe explains as “high will” or “desire.” Connor and Connors grew from the same Irish root.

The most celebrated O’Connors were the kings of Connacht, named for a Conchobhar who ruled the province in the late tenth century. From their Roscommon heartland the family divided into the O’Conor Don, O’Conor Roe and O’Conor Sligo branches. Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair became king of Connacht in 1156, claimed the high-kingship in 1166 and sent envoys to agree the Treaty of Windsor with Henry II in 1175. Centuries later, Charles O’Conor of Belanagare (1710–1791) carried the Roscommon family’s love of Gaelic learning into the age of print as a leading antiquarian. Separate O’Connor families held Offaly, north Kerry around Carrigafoyle, Corcomroe in west Clare and Keenaght in County Derry.

The O’Connor range covers home, garden and wardrobe. A woven blanket, two garden flag designs, a ceramic Christmas ornament and an accent mug carry the Irish National Tartan, joined by a wall pennant, tabletop cork coasters, a novelty plate for the car, and T-shirts in crest and Irish harp designs. Explore the Connacht kings and every regional line in our O’Connor surname history.