Ó Corcráin

Ó Corcráin is an Irish Gaelic surname, originally spelled with a fada (accent) over the 'a'. It is the direct source of the anglicized surname Corcoran. The name means "descendant of Corcrán," where Corcrán is a personal name derived from the Gaelic word corcair ("purple"). The initial Ó prefix indicates a male descendant, common in patronymic Irish surnames.

The surname Ó Corcráin historically belonged to a sept (clan) in County Galway, specifically in the barony of Athenry, according to earlier records. Like many Irish surnames forced into English legal systems after the Norman conquest, variations arose from phonetic anglicization, clerical errors, and dialect, leading to spellings such as O'Corcrain, Corcoran, and less frequently Corkran. The surname remains most concentrated today in the province of Connacht, especially counties Galway and Mayo, as well as among the Irish diaspora in nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Notable bearers of the anglicized forms include an array of individuals, though the specific Gaelic spelling is less commonly used in modern times, often retained only in family traditions or earlier manuscripts.

• Meaning: Descendant of Corcrán, from Gaelic corcair ("purple")
• Origin: Irish Gaelic
• Type: Patronymic surname
• Usage Regions: Ireland (especially Connacht), Irish diaspora