The surname originated as a patronym, however it no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's grandfather.

There are specific forms of the surname that are borne by married and unmarried females.

Ó hArailt translates into English as "descendant of Arailt".

The surname originated as a patronym, however it no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's grandfather.

[1] According to Patrick Woulfe, there is a family of the name in Limerick that is apparently of Norse origin.