Surname McGorman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McGorman: What does the surname McGorman mean?
The last name McGorman is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mag Gormain." The prefix “Mc” or "Mac" typically means “son of," while "Gorman" comes from the Gaelic term "gorm," which translates to "blue" or "noble." Therefore, McGorman essentially means "son of the noble one" or "son of the blue one." This surname initially might have been a nickname for someone who often wore blue clothes or had blue eyes. Over time, the nickname was adopted as a surname. It is important to remember that surname meanings can vary based on different cultural and historical contexts. Hence, the interpretation presented here is one of the commonly accepted meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGorman: Where does the name McGorman come from?
The last name McGorman is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mag Gormain," which translates to "son of Gorman." Gorman is composed of two elements - "gor" meaning noble and "man" meaning small, hence it often denotes "little noble one".
This surname dates back to the Middle Ages and was typically found in County Clare and Fermanagh where the family held a family seat from ancient times. Over the years, due to emigration and civil unrest, the name has spread to various parts of the world.
In today's context, the name McGorman continues to be common in Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, because of global diaspora, it has also become common across the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking nations where Irish immigrants have settled in substantial numbers. Notably, this surname may appear as Mac or Mc which are interchangeable prefixes meaning "son of" in Gaelic origin.
Variations of the surname McGorman
The surname McGorman indicates Irish ancestry, originating from the old Celtic Irish name "Ó Gormáin.” Variants may include MacGorman, O'Gorman, Gorman, Gormley, Gormally, McGormley, McGorman, and MacGorma. Some of these versions are due to variations in translation from Irish to English, the dropping of the "O'" or "Mac" prefix, or regional differences in spelling and pronunciation.
The "O'" prefix in "O'Gorman" signifies "descendant of," while the "Mac" prefix in "MacGorman" signifies "son of," both pointing to a progenitor named "Gormán." This personal name is derived from the Irish word "gorm," meaning "blue," and could have been used to describe someone with blue eyes or dark hair.
In the process of Anglicization, many Irish surnames were modified, and this can account for some of the variations and closely related versions of McGorman. Often, individuals changed their names to better fit in with English-speaking societies, resulting in various spellings and versions of the same name. The surname also may vary in different records due to mistakes or changes in spelling over time.
Similar sounding names or surnames that may be confused with McGorman include McGarman, McGornan, and McGurman.
Famous people with the name McGorman
- Hal McGorman: An American football player who played in the National Football League during the 1940s.
- Alex McGorman: A stage, film, and television actor, best known for his role in the historical drama series "Poldark."
- Brendan McGorman: A noted Irish hurler known for representing Dublin at both minor and senior levels.
- Sean McGorman: An Irish footballer who had played for Kildare and captained Leinster to Railway Cup success.
- Bob McGorman: A professional British Footballer known for his time with the Chesterfield Football Club.
- Neil McGorman: An American professional golfer who competed in the PGA tour.
- Brian McGorman: A notable umpire in Major League Baseball.
- Maureen McGorman: A well-recognized New Zealand activist who fought for women's rights and social justice.
- Ed McGorman: A Canadian actor who appeared in numerous television series and films. Please note that some of these individuals may not be widely recognized as their fame is mostly contained to their industry or country.