O'Rourke (Irish: Ó Ruairc)^[1] is an Irish Gaelic clan based most prominently in what is today County Leitrim. The family were the historic rulers of Breifne and later West Breifne until the 17th century. The O'Rourke Clan Chief was at odds with the O'Reilly Chief because both clans contested each other for the title Prince of Breifne.^[2]

Naming conventions

Male	Daughter	Wife (Long)	Wife (Short)
Ó Ruairc	Ní Ruairc	Bean Uí Ruairc	Uí Ruairc

Clan Chiefs

O'Rourke
*Ó Ruairc*
O'Rourke; Ó Ruairc
Parent house	Uí Briúin Bréifne
Land	Kingdom of Connacht
Gegründet	ca. 960 AD
Gründer	Fergal ua Ruairc
Current head	Kevin Douglas O'Roak
Final ruler	Tadhg Ó Ruairc
Titles	Kings of Connacht; Kings of Breifne; Kings of West Breifne; King or Lord of Breny Ui Ruairc & Muinter Eoluis; Princes of West Breifne; Count O'Rourke of France; Count O'Rourke of the Russian Empire; Viscount O'Rourke; Viscount of Breffney; Baron of Drumahaire; Baron of Carrha; Chief of the Name;
Motto	Serviendo guberno
Dissolution	1605
Cadet branches	MacLoughlin; MacRannell; MacNeill; MacKiernan;
Branches	O’Rourke of Dromahair; O’Rourke of Kilnagarn; O’Rourke of Leitrim Castle; O’Rourke of Inishmagrath; O’Rourke of Castlerourke; O’Rourke of Carrha; O’Rourke of Aughavas; O’Rourke of Carrigallen; O’Rourke of Cloncorick;

Kings of Breifne

(Sean) Fergal Ó Ruairc king of Connacht and Breifne: c.964–67
Niall Ó Ruairc, heir of Breifne: 1000–1001
Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: died 1014–1015 – son of Fergal
Art an caileach Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1020–1030? – son of Fergal
Aedh Ó Ruairc, lord of Dartraige: 1029
Art uallach (oirdnidhe) Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht and Breifne: c.1030–1046 – son of Aedh mac Fergal
Niall Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne Connacht: 1047 – son of Art uallach
Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: c.1057 – son of Niall
Cathal Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: c.1051–1059 – son of Tighernan
Aedh in Gilla Braite Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1066 – son of Niall, son of Art Uallach
Aed Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1067–1087 – son of Art Uallach
Donnchadh cael Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1084 – son of Art an caileach
Ualgharg Ó Ruairc, royal heir of Connacht: 1085 – son of Niall, son of Art uallach
Donnchadh Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briuin and Conmaicne: 1101 – son of Art Uí Ruairc
Domnall Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht and Breifne: c.1095–1102 – son of Tigernán son of Ualgharg
Cathal Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briuin Breifne and Gailenga: 1105 – son of Gilla Braite, son of Tigernán
Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briúin: c.1108 – son of Donnchadh
Aedh an Gilla Sronmaol Ó Ruairc king of Conmaicne: c.1117–1122 – son of Domnall (or Donnchadh).
Tigernán mór Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1124–1152, 1152–1172 – son of Donnchad macDomnail
Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1152–1152, 1172–1176 – son of Gilla Bruide, son of Domnall
Amlaíb Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1176–1184 – son of Fergal, son of Domnall, son of Tigernán
Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1184–1187 – son of Máelsechlann, son of Tigernán mór
Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of the greater part of Breifne: c.1207 – son of Ferghal mac Domnall, son of Fergal
Ualgarg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1196–1209 – son of Cathal, son of Aedh, son of Donnchadh
Art Ó Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1209–1210 – son of Domnall, son of Fergal, son of Domnall
Niall O'Ruairc, king of Dartry and clann Fermaige: 1228 – son of Congalach, son of Fergal, son of Domnall
Ualgarg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1210–1231 – son of Cathal, son of Aedh, son of Donnchadh
Cathal riabach O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1231–1236 – son of Donnchadh, son of Aedh, son of Gilla Braite
Conchobar O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1250?–1257 – son of Tigernán, son of Domnall, son of Cathal

Kings of West Breifne

Sitric Ó Ruairc, king of Bréifne: elected and killed 1257–1257 – son of Ualgarg, son of Cathal
Amlaíb Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne West: 1257–1258 – son of Art, son of Domnall, son of Fergal
Domnall Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1258 to 1258 (deposed) – son of Conchobar, son of Tigernán
Art Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne East: 1258–1259 (deposed) – son of Cathal riabach, son of Donnchadh
Domnall Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1259 to 1260 (killed) – son of Conchobar son of Tigernán
Art Bec Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne West: 1260–1260 (killed) – son of Art son of Domnall son of Fergal
Art Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1261–1266 (deposed)– son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh
Conchobar Buide Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1266–1273 – son of Amlaíb, son of Art
Tigernán Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1273–1274 – son of Aedh, son of Ualgarg, son of Cathal
Art Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1275–1275 – son of Cathal riabach, son of Donnchadh
Amlaib Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1275?–1307 – son of Art, son of Cathal riabach
Domnall Carrach Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1307–1311 – son of Amlaíb, son of Art
Ualgarg Mór Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1316–1346 – son of Domnall carrach
Flaithbheartach Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1346–1349 (deposed) – son of Domnall carrach
Aodh Bán Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1349–1352 – son of Ualgarg mór, son of Domnall
Flaithbheartach Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1352–1352 (died) – son of Domnall carrach
Tadgh na gcoar O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1352–1376 – son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach
Gilla Crist Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifny: died 1378 – son of Ualgarg mór, son of Domnall carrach
Tigernán mór Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1376–1418 – son of Ualgarg mór, son of Domnall carrach
Aodh buidhe Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1418–1419 – son of Tigernán mór
Tadhg Ó Ruairc, king of West Breifne: 1419–1424 – son of Tigernán mór
Art Ó Ruairc, king of East Breifne: 1419–1424 – son of Tadhg na gcoar
Tadhg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1424–1435 – son of Tigernán mór
Lochlann Ó Ruairc, king of East Breifne: 1435–1458 – son of Tadhg na gcoar
Donnchadh bacagh Ó Ruairc, king of West Breifne: 1435–1445 – son of Tigernán mór?
Donnchadh Ó Ruairc, king of West Breifne: 1445–1449 – son of Tigernán óg, son of Tigernán mór
Tigernán óg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1449–1468 – son of Tadhg, son of Tigernán mór
Donnchadh losc Ó Ruairce, king of Breifne: 1468–1476 – son of Tigernán mór, son of Ualgarg mór
Domnall Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1468–1476, – son of Tadhg, son of Tigernán mór
Feidhlimidh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1476–1500 – son of Donnchadh son of Tigernán óg
Eóghan Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1500–1528 – son of Tigernán óg son of Tadhg
Feidhlimidh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1528–1536 – son of Feidhlimidh, son of Donnchadh
Brian ballach mór Ó Ruairc, king of Bréifne, 1528–1559, 1560–1562 – son of Eóghan, son of Tigernán óg
Tadhg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1559–1560 – son of Brian ballach
Aodh gallda Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1562–1564 – son of Brian ballach
Aodh buidhe Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1564–1566 – son of Brian ballach
Brian na múrtha O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1566–1591 – son of Brian ballach
Brian óg na samhthach O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1591–1600 – son of Brian na múrtha
Tadhg an Fhíona Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: 1600–1605 – son of Brian na múrtha

Chiefs of the Name

Sir Brian Roe O'Rourke, 1605-1641 - son of Tadhg an Fhíona
Eóghan Óg Ó Ruairc, 1641-1666 - son of Eóghan, son of Tighernán bán, youngest son of Brian ballach mór
Brian ballach óg Ó Ruairc, 1666-1682 - son of Tighernán bán, youngest son of Brian ballach mór
Sgt.-Maj. Don Tadeo O'Rorke, 1682-1715 - son of Don Hugo son of Capt. Cornelio son of Sir Aedh, son of Tadhg an Fhíona
Don Bernardo O'Rorke, 1715-1721 - brother of Don Tadeo
Sir John O'Rourke, 1715-1729 - son of Sir Brian Oge son of Sir Brian Roe
Conn O'Rourke, 1729-1733 - brother of Sir John
Eugenius O'Rourke, 1st Viscount O'Rourke, 1733-1752 - son of Conn Óg, son of Conn, son of Tighernán, son of Eóghan, son of King Feidhlimidh II of West Breifne
Sgt. Don Francisco Rorke, 1752-1760 - son of Don Tadeo
Sir Thomas O'Rourke, 1760-1774 - son of Sir John
Sir Edmond Roche O'Rourke, 1774-1780 - son of Sir Thomas
Patrick Roche O'Rourke, 1780-1799 - son of Sir Thomas
Owen O'Rourke, 1799-1825 - son of Patrick Roche
Count Joseph Cornelius O'Rourke, 1825-1849 - son of Cornelius son of Eoghan maternal grandson of Eóghan Óg
Edward O'Rourke, 1849-1864 - son of Edward son of Patrick Roche
William O'Rourke, 1864 - son of William son of Patrick Roche
Charles O'Rourke, 1864-1901 - son of Andrew son of Owen
Denis O'Rourke, 1901-1911 - son of Denis, son of Daniel, son of Shane, son of Rudhraighe, son of Seán Óg, son of Seán Mór, son of Tadhg Tighernán, son of Tighernán, son of Eóghan, son of King Feidhlimidh II of West Breifne
Jeremiah Alexander O'Roake, 1911-1939 - son of Jeremiah son of William son of Owen
Wilbur O'Roak, 1939-1943 - son of Jeremiah Alexander
Charles Hyacinth O'Rorke, 1943-1955 - son of Charles Thomas John, son of Rev. Timothy, son of Rev. Tadhg, son of Seán, son of Donnchadh, son of Eóghan Óg
Merle O'Roak, 1943-1955 - son of Wilbur
Burleigh O'Roak, 1955-1985 - son of Jeremiah Alexander
Charles Howard Colomb O'Rorke, 1985 - son of Charles Hyacinth
Dale O'Roak, 1985-2000 - son of Merle
Cpl. Wilfred Burleigh O'Roak, 2000-2001 - son of Burleigh
Walton Neal O'Roak, 2001-2019 - son of Burleigh
Dwayne Kenneth O'Roak, 2019 - son of Dale
Mervyn Douglas O'Roak, 2019-2020 - son of Dale
Geoffrey Philip Colomb O'Rorke, 2020-2021 - son of Charles Howard Colomb
Disputed:
- Clayton Eugene O'Roak - son of Wilfred Burleigh
- Kevin Douglas O'Roak - son of Mervyn Douglas

Menschen

O'Rourke may refer to several people:

O'Rourke (baseball), baseball player
Andrew O'Rourke, judge and politician from New York State
Beto O'Rourke (born 1972), American politician in Texas.
Brian O'Rourke (1540–1591), hereditary lord of West Breifne in Ireland
Brian Oge O'Rourke (1568–1604), lord of West Breifne
Bud O'Rourke (1919–2001), American basketball player
Colm O'Rourke (born 1957), Irish footballer
Danny O'Rourke (born 1983), American soccer player
Declan O'Rourke, Irish singer
Denis O'Rourke (born 1946), New Zealand politician
Dennis O'Rourke (born 1945), Australian documentary film director
Derval O'Rourke (born 1981), Irish sprint hurdles athlete
Edward O'Rourke (1876–1943), Polish Roman Catholic priest, bishop of Riga, first bishop of Danzig (Gdańsk)
Frank O'Rourke (disambiguation), multiple people
Hayden Rorke actor
Heather O'Rourke (1975–1988), American child actress
Jack O'Rourke (football), semi-pro football player
Jet O'Rourke (born 1983), Australian Pop/ Rock singer songwriter
Jim O'Rourke (baseball player) (1850–1919), American professional baseball player
Jim O'Rourke (musician) (born 1969), American musician and producer
John O'Rourke (footballer, born 1945) (born 1945), English footballer
John O'Rourke (baseball) (1849–1911), American baseball player
Joseph O'Rourke (disambiguation), multiple people
Kathy Kirby stage name of Kathleen O'Rourke, pop singer
Kevin O'Rourke, Irish economist
Lou Ann O'Rourke, (died 2019), American Bridge player
Malachy O'Rourke, Irish footballer and manager
Mary O'Rourke (born 1937), Irish politician
Míceál O'Rourke, an Irish classical pianist
Michael O'Rourke (gambler) (1862–1882 alias "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce"), a professional gambler of the Old West
Michael James O'Rourke (1878–1957), Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Mike O'Rourke (baseball) (1868-1934), Major League Baseball pitcher
Mike O'Rourke (athlete) (born 1955), New Zealand javelin thrower
Paddy O'Rourke (disambiguation)
P. J. O'Rourke (1947–2022), American political satirist, journalist, and writer
Patrick Henry O'Rourke (1837–1863), Irish-born Civil War colonel
Peter O'Rourke (footballer) (1874–1956), Scottish footballer and manager
Ryan O'Rourke (born 1988), American baseball player
Sean O'Rourke, Irish journalist and broadcaster
Steve O'Rourke (1940–2003), manager of rock band Pink Floyd
Tammy O'Rourke (born 1971), child dancer and actress
Timothy O'Rourke, American college football head coach
TS O'Rourke (born 1968), Irish author
Ualgarg O'Rourke, (died 1346), king of West Breifne

References

^ "Ruarc — Database of Irish-language Surnames". Gaois. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
^ Newerkla, Stefan Michael (2020), Das irische Geschlecht O'Reilly und seine Verbindungen zu Österreich und Russland [The Irish O'Reilly family and their connections to Austria and Russia]. In: Diachronie – Ethnos – Tradition: Studien zur slawischen Sprachgeschichte [Diachrony – Ethnos – Tradition: Studies in Slavic Language History]. Eds. Jasmina Grković-Major, Natalia B. Korina, Stefan M. Newerkla, Fedor B. Poljakov, Svetlana M. Tolstaja. Brno, Tribun EU, pp. 259–279 (accessible online), here pp. 263–265.

External links

O'Rourke family pedigree at Library Ireland
The Irish O'Reilly family and their connections to Austria and Russia by Stefan M. Newerkla, with chapter 3.2 on the family O'Rourke in the Russian and Austrian context

[1] "Ruarc — Database of Irish-language Surnames". Gaois. Retrieved 26 December 2022.

[2] Newerkla, Stefan Michael (2020), Das irische Geschlecht O'Reilly und seine Verbindungen zu Österreich und Russland [The Irish O'Reilly family and their connections to Austria and Russia]. In: Diachronie – Ethnos – Tradition: Studien zur slawischen Sprachgeschichte [Diachrony – Ethnos – Tradition: Studies in Slavic Language History]. Eds. Jasmina Grković-Major, Natalia B. Korina, Stefan M. Newerkla, Fedor B. Poljakov, Svetlana M. Tolstaja. Brno, Tribun EU, pp. 259–279 (accessible online), here pp. 263–265.

[1]

[2]