Surname Hannah - Meaning and Origin

Recontextualizing Heritage and Identity: A Personal Experience with iGENEA DNA Testing

The revelation of my family history through my iGENEA DNA test profoundly altered my understanding of my family name, Hannah. This experience has shed light on a diverse ancestry rooted in various nations, leaving me with a deeper appreciation of my lineage and heightened sense of familial pride.

S. Hannah

Hannah: What does the surname Hannah mean?

The surname Hannah is of Hebrew origin and its meaning is "gracious" or "full of grace". It is derived from the Hebrew name Hanna, which appears in the Old Testament as the mother of the prophet Samuel. Over time, Hannah evolved into a commonly used first name in many Western societies. As a last name, it may have been bestowed upon someone who embodied traits of grace or kindness, or possibly given to someone who was a descendant or follower of a woman named Hannah. Since names and their meanings can shift depending on cultural, regional, or historical context, the surname Hannah may have varying meanings in other contexts.

Hannah: Where does the name Hannah come from?

The surname Hannah is of Scottish and Irish origin. It derives from the personal name "Hannay", which is believed to be from the old Gaelic "Ap Shenaich" translated as "son of the peaceful one". It became a popular surname in Scotland during the 17th century, especially in Wigtownshire. Another theory proposes that Hannah could be an anglicized version of the Irish name "O’hAnnaidh", meaning descendant of Annadh.

The surname Hannah is common across English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the name is most densely populated in North Carolina. In Scotland, the Hannah surname has a stronghold in Dumfries and Galloway. It is also fairly common in Northern Ireland, particularly in Antrim and Down counties. While the spelling can vary at times, with some people spelling it Hanna or Hana, the origins and meaning remain the same.

Variations of the surname Hannah

The surname Hannah is of Irish origin. This name has several variants including the forms Hana, Hannan, Hannahan, Hanney, Hannon, Hanan, Hanna, and Annan. Depending on the historical context, geographical location, and language adaptation, it can be spelled in various ways. The Irish spelling of O'Hannain gives a good indication of its origins. The name describes a descendant of Annadh, a personal first name meaning 'iniquity'. In Scotland, the name is often associated with the region of Galloway where some believe the family held a family seat since early times. The variant spellings, while holding the same origins, were often the result of a translation based on the phonetic sound of the name rather than any strict rules of spelling. So, transcription errors were common. Over time, families of the same ancestral lineage ended up with different surnames due to spelling variations. This is why today we see many variants of the original surname Hannah. Despite the name's evolution over the years, it still maintains its original meaning and familial heritage.

Famous people with the name Hannah

• Daryl Hannah: Famous American actress and environmental activist known for her roles in 'Blade Runner', 'Splash', 'Wall Street' and 'Kill Bill'.
• John Hannah: Scottish actor who gained fame from films such as 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'Sliding Doors', and 'The Mummy' series.
• Jack Hannah: An American director and producer of animated cartoons, known for Disney's Donald Duck shorts.
• Page Hannah: An American television actress and the sister of Daryl Hannah. She is known for roles in 'My Sister Sam' and 'Shag'.
• Charles Hannah: Former American professional NFL football player.
• J. Paul Hannah: A director and writer, known for 'The Americans', 'In Plain Sight' and 'Fastlane'.
• Christopher Hannah: English footballer who played as a winger for various clubs in the Football League.
• Barry Hannah: American author of eight novels and five short story collections, including Airships, Ray and The Tennis Handsome.
• Jack Hannah: Known for his appearances on numerous talk shows as an animal enthusiast, sharing his knowledge and bringing animals onto the shows.
• David Hannah: Scottish former professional football player and coach.
• Neil Hannah: English former footballer.
• Andrew Hannah: Scottish footballer and the first man to captain Liverpool Football Club.

Other surnames

HannaHannackHannafordHannahanHannakHannanHannatschekHannavanHannawayHannay