Surname Grennan - Meaning and Origin
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Grennan: What does the surname Grennan mean?
The last name Grennan is of Irish origin, predominantly found in the counties of Cork and Kerry. The name is derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘Mag Rannáin’, which translates to ‘son of Rannán’. Rannán is an ancient Irish name believed to originate from either the Old Norse name Ragnar, which translates to ‘counsel of the army’ or the Irish name Rámhán, which translates to ‘time’.
The original habitation of the Grennan family was on the eastern side of Cork, with records of the family beginning in the thirteenth century at Kilbrittain Castle. The family were amongst the Earl of Desmond’s tenants and were thought to have been of significant standing in both political and community life.
Grennan remains a common name in Ireland, with records indicating there are almost 3,000 people living with the name. In the US, the name is less common. The 2000 US census recorded fewer than 250 people with the last name.
The name Grennan today carries with it a history heavy with grandeur, pride and honour. It stands for a family that has many centuries of experience under its belt, and continues to shape the nations in which it resides.
Order DNA origin analysisGrennan: Where does the name Grennan come from?
The last name Grennan is most common in Ireland, where it is a derivative of the Irish surname "Ó Grannáin". It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "grann" which means "forceful". This surname is found primarily in County Galway, in the west of Ireland. In the 1990 census, it was the 57th most common surname in Ireland, indicating a significant presence of the name in Irish culture. It is also found in several other countries, such as Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe. In the United States, Grennan is most prevalent in New Jersey, where it ranked 11,023 out of 88,799 surnames according to the 1990 US census.
The presence of Grennan in Ireland and the United States suggests common roots of the name in Irish and American culture, as the differences in its spelling indicate an Irish influence in its usage. Since its presence is common to areas of Irish immigration, it is likely that the name was taken up when Irish immigrants settled in regions around the world. In present times, the name Grennan is likely to still be found in these same areas, although its wider reach in more regions indicates the possibility that it may have spread to other countries as well.
Variations of the surname Grennan
The surname Grennan is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin, which is most commonly found in the southwest of Ireland. The spelling of the surname may vary slightly, with variants such as Gannon, Gennon, Ginnane, Grannan, Grendon and Grendan.
Gannon is a relatively popular variant, most commonly found in County Clare and Galway. The spelling with a double 'N' is thought to be the most widespread form of the surname today, and could refer to either the Anglicised form of Mag Fhionnain, meaning "son of Fhionnain", or it could be related to the Gaelic name Ó Gonnain, which comes from the personal name Conán, meaning "knowledge".
Gennon is another variant, seen largely in the South of Ireland. This form could refer to Mag Fhionghuine, meaning "son of Fhionghuine", or else it could be related to Ó Gaoithín, which is derived from the Gaelic personal name Gaoithín, meaning “little” or “young”.
The variant Ginnane is mainly found in counties Clare and Tipperary. This spelling could be referring to Ó Giollamhanín, meaning "descendant of Giollamhan", a personal name originating from the Irish word "giolla" which translates as “servant” or “follower”.
Grannan is also a variant of the surname, and is usually found in counties Sligo and Mayo. This version may be derived from the Gaelic Ó Geamhnaigh, meaning "son of Geamhnach" with the personal name Geamhnach meaning “bony” or “strenuous”.
Finally, the spelling variants Grendon and Grendan are generally found in the province of Leinster. These versions may be related to the Gaelic name Ó Grainneáin, derived from the personal name Gráinneáin, which means “son of Gráineán” with the personal name Gráineán made up of the elements “grán” referring to “grain” or “seed”, and “agán” which translates as “attenion”.
Famous people with the name Grennan
- Michael Gannon: a British-born American historian and professor at the University of Florida specializing in 20th-century US history and the history of the Catholic Church.
- Kasey Gannon: an American professional basketball player who spent two years playing in Japan's B.League.
- Ryan Gannon: an American professional soccer player currently playing for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.
- Dave Gannon: an English professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for Oldham in the Championship.
- Dale Gannon: an English footballer who plays as a defender for Barrow.
- Kim Gannon: an American lyricist, best known for her collaboration with the song-writing duo of musician Johnny Burke and composer Jimmy Van Heusen.
- Mark Gannon: an Irish former professional footballer who played for Bohemians and Ironside FC.
- Lorraine Gannon: an Irish fine art photographer and visual artist based in Dublin.
- Jack Gannon: an American politician and businessman, who was mayor of Duluth, Minnesota from 1949 to 1951.
- Paul Gannon: an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League for the Wests Tigers.