O'Connor Family Crest framed artprint - with lion | Family Crests

Celebrate your family heritage with a gift to cherish – the O’Connor Family Crest framed and printed on museum-quality matte paper. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

The origins of the O’Connor name

The surname O'Connor is one of the oldest and most historically significant family names in Ireland, deeply rooted in royal Gaelic heritage. Derived from the Irish Ó Conchobhair, it translates to "descendant of Conchobhar"—an ancient personal name generally interpreted to mean "lover of hounds" or "helpful chief." Rather than emerging from a single source, the surname evolved independently from at least five distinct regional clans or "septs" across the island, including branches in Kerry, Offaly, Clare, and Derry. The most illustrious of these was the Royal House of Connacht, a powerful dynasty that came to dominate medieval Irish politics. This lineage famously produced Turlough Mór O'Connor and his son Roderick (Ruaidrí) O'Connor, who reigned as the final High King of Ireland before the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century.

The background and symbolism of the O'Connor coat of arms with the lion

This variant belongs to the O’Connor Kerry sept, who ruled the ancient territory of Ciarraighe Luachra in northern County Kerry. Their historical seat of power was Carrigafoyle Castle. The sept traces its specific line back to Mathgamhan Ó Conchobhair, King of Ciarraighe, who died in 1138 AD. Following the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1170 AD, the clan's territory was restricted, pushing them northward toward the Shannon estuary where they maintained defensive autonomy for centuries.

The Shield: Features a gold lion set against a green background. The lion signifies courage, royalty, and warrior spirit. The lion is specifically double-queued (two-tailed) and crowned. In heraldic law, a double-tailed lion denotes dual sovereignty, command over two distinct territories, or exceptional physical strength. The crown placed on the lion’s head denotes direct descent from provincial royalty–the Kings of Ciarraighe.

The Crest (Top): A hand holding a sword represents an active, ongoing obligation to defend the clan’s ancestral territory by force of arms.

The Motto: This branch traditionally carries the Latin motto Nec timeo, nec sperno, meaning "I neither fear nor despise."

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful and uniquely personal gifts for any occasion with family and friends.

Product details

• Printed with water-based inks.
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.