The Clan/Sept History

Moran is the English version of two distinct Gaelic surnames; Ó Móráin, from the Gaelic "mór" meaning 'big', and Ó Mughráin, whose meaning remains unclear. The Ó Móráin was a sept from Ballina in north Co. Mayo. The Ó Mughráin were part of the Uí Máine tribal grouping, and were based around Criffon in Co. Galway and Balintubber in north Co. Roscommon. The name ranks today as fifty sixth most common in Ireland, and remains strongest in its original homeland of the western province of Connacht.