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Curran is an Irish surname. The surname (and many current derivatives) derives from a number of unrelated Irish families.[ citation needed ]
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- Ó Corráin – at least three distinct families of the name located in what are now counties Tipperary, Waterford, Galway, Leitrim, Kerry and Fermanagh. The Currans of Kerry are said to have originated with the Ui Charrain, of the Uí Meic Caille sept of the Uí Liatháin kings of Munster. The Uí Liatháin descended from Eochu Liathán ("Eochu the Grey"), son of Dáire Cerbba, who was, according to the Munster epic Forbhais Droma Dámhgháire, king of Medón Mairtine. According to the Annals of Inisfallen, the modern-day presence of the Curran family in County Kerry is the result of the war in 1177 between Domnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond, and Diarmait Mor Mac Carthaigh, during which the Uí Meic Caille fled across the Lee; for some this departure was permanent, with many Currans becoming Kerry gentry. Descendants Thomas and Dowenald O Corran were amongst those summoned to serve in arms against the Earl of Desmond in 1345. [1]
- Ó Cuirín – County Donegal
- Mac Corraidhín – apparently now rendered as Crean in County Kerry
- Curran - is still also prevalent in Ulster/Northern Ireland; for example in Warringstown (see reference to Professor Richard Curran below)
The surname is common in all four provinces in Ireland, but especially in County Donegal and throughout Ulster. The name is also prevalent in the south of Ireland, appearing many times in the County Tipperary Hearth Money Rolls of 1665–67. Currans showed up frequently as Waterford residents in the census of 1659.
