Surname Laffane - Meaning and Origin

Laffane: What does the surname Laffane mean?

The last name Laffane is an Irish surname, stemming from the Gaelic language. The name is derived from the term 'lámhfhada', which means 'long arm' or 'long hand'. This term was often used to denote a hereditary position of power and influence, such as a hereditary estate or physical attributes such as size or strength.

The Laffane surname is quite old, and appears in many birth records and other documents dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Records reveal that there were several branches of the Laffane family throughout Ireland during this time.

Today, the surname Laffane is still most commonly found among people of Irish descent. It is also widely used in other countries, such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Those who bear the Laffane surname can trace their family history back to the Gaelic-speaking Celts who left their imprint on Irish culture for centuries. The name is a reminder of a time in Irish history when a long arm or a long hand symbolized influence and power.

Laffane: Where does the name Laffane come from?

The last name Laffane is most commonly found in Ireland today. Based on the 2020 Irish census, it is estimated that the last name Laffane is among the top 100 most common surnames in Ireland. This surname is usually associated with Irish ancestry and is an anglicized version of the original Irish name, O’Laithimhín.

The last name is believed to derive from the Gaelic phrase “Laithimhin” which, literally translated, means “a thing belonging to me.” This Gaelic phrase would have given rise to a number of Gaelic surnames including Laffane, Lavelle, and Lawton.

The surname is associated with County Tipperary, situated in the province of Munster, in the south of Ireland. The last name Laffane is particularly associated with the area of Dundrum, in County Tipperary. It is also common among people from Cork, Dublin, and Wexford, as well as other provinces of Ireland.

The original Gaelic spelling is believed to have been O’Laithimhín, and the pronunciation is probably La-fan. It is likely that the Laffane surname has varied from place to place, with different spellings and pronunciations occurring over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Laffane

The surname Laffane is believed to have originated in the region of Laois, Ireland. The most commonly found variants of this name are LaFane, La Fane, LaFaun, La Faun, and Laffin. All of these spellings can be traced back to Laois, as the original families living in the area would have used different versions of the spelling.

The LaFanes are believed to have possibly originated in Limerick before having moved to Laois. LaFaun, La Faun, and Laffin likely descended from the LaFanes, since these three name variations have almost similar spelling and sound.

Laffane can also be seen as an Anglo-Irish variant of the Gaelic Ó Leathpháin, which comes from the word leathpháin and signifies a person with a split face. This name can also be seen as a variant of O' Lews, which is the Anglicized form of Ó Laithbhinn, which is derived from the Gaelic laithbinn meaning stealthy, cunning, or sly.

There are many other variants of the same surname, including Leahy, Leahyng, Leane, Lainey, Layne, Lian, and Lyens. Over time, these variations have branched off into other versions, such as Loane, Glane, Glines, Lowery, and so on.

In summary, the surname Laffane has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These can be traced back to communities in Laois, Ireland, as well as Limerick and Dublin. Additionally, there are Anglo-Irish and Gaelic forms of the same surname from which even more variations of the name have spread.

Famous people with the name Laffane

• Sean Laffane: chef and restaurateur
• Salvador Laffane: Spanish actor
• Ashley Laffane: Australian swimmer
• Jakes Laffane: Canadian musician
• Kevin Laffane: American radio host
• John Laffane: Irish entertainer
• Marcelo Laffane: Brazilian footballer
• Gemma Laffane: Mexican actress
• Louis Laffane: French fashion designer
• Tia Laffane: British television presenter

Other surnames

Laffan