English
The surname 'Curran' originates from Ireland. It is derived from the Anclisized form of Gaelic name 'O'Corraidhin' meaning 'descendant of Corraidhin', a personal name from a diminutive of the word 'corrradh' meaning 'spear'. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive's has confirmed that the surname 'Curran' and or it's variant's, dates as far back as the thirteenth century were a 'John le Curre', from the county of Lincolnshire, England, is recorded on the Hundred Rolls in 1273. Historical archive's have been unable to definitely determine the exact period of settlement in North America but It is believed that the forefather's of this surname were part of the exodus of migrants that followed the Treaty of Peace signed in Paris in 1763, when great Britain obtained ownership of the whole of North America east of the Missisipi River excepting New Orleans. The chief reasons causing working class people to emigrate were, poor crop yields, high unemployment, and the misconception that America was a land of golden opportunity. It is has been estimated that after 1769 some 20,000 persons a year migrated to the Americas from the British Isles. Today, 'Curran' is the 'One thousand and thirty-sixth' most common surname in North America.