Surname Henihan - Meaning and Origin
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Henihan: What does the surname Henihan mean?
The last name Henihan has a complex and interesting history rooted in ancient Celts who settled and lived in countries now known as Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The name is derived from the ancient Gaelic word ‘O’heignigh,’ which translates to “descendant of the one.” This was likely an ancient leader or ancestor who was given the title and since then, descendants have adopted the name to pay homage to their family's heritage.
Henihan is an anglicized version of this ancient Gaelic term, though the exact source of this variation is not definitively known. However, it seems likely that the name was Anglicized to make it easier for native English-speakers to pronouce. The popularity of the name has grown since its early days and can now be found primarily in both the British Isles and the United States.
Though the names may appear unrelated, there is a strong connection between Henihan and its ancient Gaelic origin. Today, the name serves as both a source of heritage and family pride, and a reminder of the hardy and proud people who settled in the Irish and Scottish cultures. To this day, the name remains very popular - a testament to the strength and perseverance of the ancient Celts.
Order DNA origin analysisHenihan: Where does the name Henihan come from?
The last name Henihan is common in Ireland today, especially in counties Wexford and Waterford. Although it is pronounced differently in both counties, Henihan is nevertheless an easily recognizable surname. Henihan is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name O hAonghusa, which means 'descendant of Aonghus’.
In County Wexford, Henihan is often found in North Wexford, particularly around the town of Ferns. It is rumored that the Henihan family arrived in the area with the Normans. The Henihans were thought to have taken up the role of ice-cutters in the area, to be sold to Dublin markets.
Henihans in County Waterford, however, can trace their roots to an entirely different line of Henihans. This line is said to have arrived in the county when a Henihan was given land in the central part of the county, in what is now called Ballyinnig.
It is estimated that today there are over five thousand people in Ireland bearing the last name Henihan. The Henihan diaspora can be found in many other parts of the world, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States. While Henihans are common in Ireland, they are widely dispersed, and the exact population count is unknown.
Variations of the surname Henihan
The Henihan surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the name include Heenihan, Henehan, Heenehan and Heaney, while variants in spelling could include Heninan, Heneghan, Henaghan and Enihan. Surnames of the same origin include Heany, Hehir, Heaney, Hinihan, Hannan and Hennigan.
The Henihan surname originates in County Galway, Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic name O hAonghusa, with the prefix O indicating ‘descendant of’ and Aonghus being the personal name. The personal name Aonghus is composed of two Gaelic words, aon meaning ‘one’ and gus meaning ‘choice and vigour’, which together form the phrase ‘one choice’.
The Henihan surname appears to be most common in Ireland, with the majority of records found in Counties Galway, Mayo and Cork. As Ireland was a relatively isolated country until the 19th century, emigration from Ireland was mostly confined to British colonies. Therefore, it is likely that the Henihan surname spread to Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and South Africa during this period.
The Henihan surname is thought to be derived from a Gaelic personal name and implies meanings such as ‘one choice’ or ‘vigorous choice’. This surname is most commonly found in Ireland and was likely spread to many parts of the world as a result of 19th-century emigration.
Famous people with the name Henihan
- Aidan Henihan: Irish indie-folk singer-songwriter
- Ryan Henihan: Dublin based country-folk singer-songwriter
- Amy Henihan: Australian character actress of stage and screen
- Isobel Henihan: Australian television actress
- Martin Henihan: Australian comedy writer, film maker and director
- Michael Henihan: Australia's National Rugby League referee
- Donna Henihan: Australian Jewish leader, social activist and radio and television presenter
- David Henihan: Canadian television and film producer and director
- Phil Henihan: British actor and producer
- recounts Kenneth Henihan: Irish-American journalist and diplomat