Surname Connors - Meaning and Origin

Embracing Genetic Heritage: The Journey of my Connors Surname Revealed through iGENEA DNA Test

I recently undertook the iGENEA DNA test, which bestowed fascinating insights about my genetic heritage and enriched my understanding of the Connors surname. Using advanced technology like autosomal and Y-DNA testing coupled with SNP testing, it presented an accurate report of my ancestral journey. These results deepened my connection with Ireland and my surname's origin.

P. Connors

Connors: What does the surname Connors mean?

The last name Connors is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic "Conchobhair", meaning "lover of hounds". It is a patronymic surname, indicating a familial relationship with a male ancestor, in this case meaning "descendant of Conchobhar". The name was borne by several noteworthy historical figures, including an Irish King. It is primarily found in the Irish counties of Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Its variants include Connor, Conner, and Conor among others. Like many Irish surnames, it gained wider recognition due to the historical movement of Irish people to other parts of the world, such as the United Kingdom and United States. Thus, the surname Connors represents a connection not only to familial ancestry but also to Irish culture and heritage.

Connors: Where does the name Connors come from?

The last name Connors is derived from the Irish name "O'Connor," which itself originates from several Gaelic septs (clans) named Ó Conchobhair. The name Ó Conchobhair translates roughly to "descendant of Conchobhar," with Conchobhar meaning "lover of hounds."

The Connors surname is most commonly found in the western and southwestern parts of Ireland, particularly in the counties of Clare, Galway, and Kerry. It is one of the most common surnames in Ireland due to the prominence of the O'Connor sept in the historical and political life of Ireland. Today, the Connors name is also fairly common in the United States due to Irish emigration, particularly during the Great Famine of the 19th century. However, it's still most common in Ireland, most notably in Connacht and Munster regions.

Variations of the surname Connors

The surname Connors is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic O’Conchobhair, meaning "descendant of Conchobhar," a popular medieval personal name meaning "lover of hounds." Variations of the surname Connors can include Connor, Conor, Conner, O’Connor, O’Conner, O’Conor, Konnor, Conor, Konner, and Conner.

The addition of prefixes such as 'O' or 'Mc' to the surname can point to the meaning 'son of' or 'descendant of.' This practice was common in Irish culture. Thus, O’Connor and McConnor could also be considered variants of Connors.

Some spelling variations might have resulted from phonetic transcription over time, as the names were passed down orally before standardized spelling practices. Therefore, single ‘n’ or ‘r’ versions, like Conor or Coner, are also plausible variations.

The use of ‘k’ in place of ‘c,’ as in Konnor or Konner, is another feasible adjustment. This interchangeable use of ‘c’ and ‘k’ often happened in both Irish and Scottish as they had the same pronunciation in Gaelic.

Variations in the surname can also differ based on regional dialects in Ireland. For example, in Ulster, the surname can be spelled as Connors while in Munster, it can be spelled O’Connor.

Famous people with the name Connors

• Jimmy Connors: A retired American world No.1 tennis player.
• Chuck Connors: An American actor, writer, producer and professional basketball and baseball player.
• Mike Connors: An American actor best known for playing detective Joe Mannix
• Kevin Connors: An ESPN sportscaster.
• Patrick Connors: A contemporary American painter known for his realism.
• Jennifer Connors: An American author of historical romance novels.
• Philip Connors: An American writer known for his memoir "Fire Season".
• Kara Connors: An American actress seen in the television series “The Blacklist” and “Blue Bloods”.
• Robert Connors: An Australian actor known for his role in “Rush”.
• Paddy Connors: An Irish-born British actor known for his roles in "Stardust" and "Highlander".
• Graeme Connors: An Australian country singer.
• John Connors: An Irish actor seen in the crime drama series “Love/Hate”.
• Bronson Connors: American professional wrestler.
• Peter Connors: An American poet, editor, and academic.
• Lloyd Connors: A character from the television series "The Wire".
• Connor Connors: A social media influencer.
• Jimmy "Jim" Connors: An American competitive eater. Note: Characters from TV series and movie are included.

Other surnames

ConnolanConnolayConnoleyConnollyConnolyConnonConnor