The name Connors or O'Connor is one of the most numerous names in Ireland particularly in County Kerry and a common Traveller name. The last High King of Ireland was an O'Connor - Roderick O'Connor. He lost his kingship when the Normans arrived in Ireland in the twelfth century. Another spelling of the name is O'Conor. The usual Irish version of the name is 'Ó Conchúir' although the older version of 'Ó Conchobhair' is still widely used.

The O Connors are so numerous, distinguished and varied that an encyclopaedia would scarcely do them justice. Many of their records are stored in the Irish Genealogical Office, and in France, Spain and Austria. Although some live and die by the spelling of the name, i.e. O'Connor, Conor, Connors or O'Conner, no distinction can be made in the spelling of the name today as these spellings have been interchanged at will.

The O Connors are outstanding in Irish history, highlighting its achievements and its misfortunes. O Connor - comes from a personal name meaning champion. O'Connor, O'Conner or O'Conor, is perhaps the most illustrious of all Irish surnames.

O Connor of Corcomroe in north Clare, close to the Atlantic, descended from a Conchobhar who died in 1002. O Connor Faly, meaning of Offaly, boasted a pedigree going back to the second century, to Cathaoir Mór who was High King of Ireland. Cathaoir Mór is buried on Ballon Hill in Co. Carlow. Their territory ranged from the hills of Cavan to the lakes of Westmeath and the boglands of Offaly, where Dangan was the headquarters of their chieftain. Their name comes from Conchobhar (died 979), son of Fionn, Lord of Offaly.

O Connor Kerry, chief of the O Connors of Munster up to the Norman invasion, commanded an extensive area in County Kerry known as Craghticonor. Their stronghold was Carrigafoyle Castle. The O Connors are still very numerous in Kerry.

In 1119, Turlough Mór O Conor was High King of Ireland. He was not so much a warrior as a statesman. He tried to centralise his government, he built stone bridges and castles and had a fleet of boats on the Shannon and on the Atlantic. He maintained a mint to coin silver money. He also plundered every part of the country, as was the custom. His three marriages endowed him with twenty children. His son, Roderic, succeeded to the high kingship. His reign coincided with the invasion by the Anglo-Normans which led to the Treaty of Windsor in 1175, when Roderic (or Rory) pledged himself to recognise Henry II of England as his overlord. In 1198 he died, the last of the Irish kings, and was buried in Clonmacnoise in County Offaly, the most celebrated of Ireland's holy places. He lies near the high altar where his father, Turlough Mór, was buried in 1156.