Hanrahan Family History

Irish (North Munster and Kilkenny): shortened Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó hAnradháin ‘descendant of Anradhán’ a personal name from a diminutive of ánrad(h) ‘hero warrior champion’ a title denoting the nobleman next in rank to the king in medieval Ireland.

The title was also used to denote court poets of the second rank. Later pronunciation in central Ireland as Ó hArracháin or Ó hArragáin has resulted in alternative Anglicized forms.

These alternative forms include Haran, Harrigan, and Horgan.