Ó hIfearnáin is an Irish Gaelic surname, derived from the earlier Heffernan. The root meaning traces to the word Ifearnán, a diminutive form of the Irish word ifreann meaning 'hell' or 'demon', hence "descendant of the little demon". The name is primarily associated with Connacht, particularly County Mayo and Galway, where the Heffernan clan had a notable presence.
Historically, the Ó hIfearnáin sept belonged to the Uí Fiachrach dynasty of the ancient kingdom of Connacht. The name is anglicized as Heffernan and, less commonly, Hiffernan. During the 16th and 17th centuries, as part of the Gaelic aristocracy, many members of the family were recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters and other Irish genealogical texts.
As a defensive surname, "Ó" indicates that the bearer is the descendant of an earlier chieftain named Ifearnáin. The prevalence of the name remains highest in the West of Ireland, according to modern surname distribution data.
- Meaning: Descendant of Ifearnán (little demon)
- Origin: Irish Gaelic
- Type: Surname
- Usage Regions: Ireland, especially Connacht
Sources: Forebears — Ó-hifearnáin