The O'Gallagher Family Name

The spelling O'Gallagher grew out of Gallagher, an Irish surname with a long paper trail. Its meaning, shared with Gallagher, is “Descendant of Gallchobhar ("foreign help")”.

• Local scribes, dialects and emigration all left their mark on how the name was written.
• Other spellings include Gallacher and Gallaher.
• The O' in front of the name is a particle that was often added to Gallagher on registers.

O'Gallagher coat of arms

Looking for a O'Gallagher coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours. Get the complete O'Gallagher report, with a museum-style coat of arms.