Find out how popular the last name O'Mara is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named O'Mara.

O'Mara, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the O'Mara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of O'Mara in America

O'Mara is the 6993rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The O'Mara surname appeared 4,792 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname O'Mara.

We can also compare 2010 data for O'Mara to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name O'Mara

The surname OMARA has its origins in the Gaelic language of Ireland. It is believed to have originated in the region of County Clare during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Gaelic words "O'Mara," which translates to "descendant of the sea-battler" or "descendant of the sea-warrior."

This surname is thought to have first appeared in ancient Irish texts and manuscripts dating back to the 10th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention several individuals with the surname OMARA participating in various battles and conflicts during that time.

In the 12th century, the OMARA family established themselves as a prominent clan in County Clare, particularly in the region known as Thomond. They held significant influence and power in the area, and their name became associated with various place names, such as Mara and Maratown.

One notable member of the OMARA clan was Donough O'Mara, who lived in the 14th century and served as the Chief of the Name. He was renowned for his military prowess and leadership during the conflicts between the Irish clans and the Anglo-Norman invaders.

Another prominent figure with the surname OMARA was Dermot O'Mara, who lived in the 16th century. He was a renowned poet and scholar, and his works are preserved in the Book of Fermoy, a collection of Irish poetry from that era.

In the 17th century, the OMARA family faced significant challenges during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Many members of the clan were forced to flee or had their lands confiscated. However, the name endured, and individuals with the surname OMARA continued to play important roles in Irish society and culture.

One such individual was Turlough O'Mara, who lived in the late 17th century and was a prominent member of the Jacobite movement, which aimed to restore the Catholic Stuart monarchy to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the OMARA surname spread beyond Ireland as many individuals emigrated to other parts of the world, particularly to the United States, Canada, and Australia. Notable individuals from this period include John O'Mara (1796-1880), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of New York.

Throughout history, the surname OMARA has maintained its strong connection to its Irish roots and the rich cultural heritage of County Clare. While the spelling and pronunciation may have evolved over time, the name continues to hold a significant place in the annals of Irish history and tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name O'Mara

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname O'Mara.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for O'Mara was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of O'Mara has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name O'Mara was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of O'Mara, please contact us.

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