Surname Lenaghan - Meaning and Origin
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Lenaghan: What does the surname Lenaghan mean?
The last name Lenaghan is an Irish patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic name Ó Glionnacháin. In English, this would translate to "descendant of Glionnachán". Glionnachán means “little brave one” and was probably originally given as a nickname to someone known for their courage and daring.
The Lenaghan surname is associated with County Fermanagh in Ulster, Ireland. It is one of the many surnames brought to Ireland in the 11th and 12th centuries by families arriving from the Norman and Old Norse lands of northern Europe.
The Lenaghan surname is of Celtic origin, associated with the ancient Gaelic people of the island of Ireland. It is also found in Great Britain and is connected to the Ulster-Scots, people of Scottish heritage who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In Irish records, the original Lenaghan family were part of the powerful O'Neill clan, a group of Gaelic Irish nobles and warriors. They held sway over Ulster until the 17th century.
Today the Lenaghan surname is found all over the world, with its bearers carrying on the memory of their Irish heritage and the courage of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisLenaghan: Where does the name Lenaghan come from?
The surname Lenaghan is most commonly found today in the country of Ireland. Records indicate that the name is of Irish origin and is derived from the old Irish surname O’Lennachain. This surname was used by prominent families in County Donegal. It is also found in many other counties throughout Ireland, such as Tyrone, Cork, and Limerick.
The Lenaghan surname is relatively rare in the United States, with only 3,767 persons having the surname as of 2015. These individuals most likely originated in Ireland. Some Lenaghans have immigrated to England, Scotland, Australia and parts of continental Europe.
The Lenaghan family crest is an image of a black bird and a green boar on a gold shield, with a blue boar rampant in the center surrounded by a gold star. This crest was created to recognize the ancient Gaelic Lenaghan line.
Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Irish surnames due to DNA testing and the huge increase in genealogy research. With that has come a greater awareness of the Lenaghan family and its origins. As more people look into their family’s past, the Lenaghan name will become more commonly known in the US and around the world.
Variations of the surname Lenaghan
Lenaghan is an Irish surname, stemming from the pre-10th century Gaelic “O’Leonachain”, meaning “descendant of Leonachan”. Common variants of this surname include Lennaghan, Lennigan, Lennihan, and Leonaghan, while modern spellings may be shortened to Lenaghan, Lenehan, or even Lannon.
In County Mayo, Lenaghan is sometimes spelled as Lenihan or Lenehan, while in Longford it can be spelled as Lenaughan. In the west of Ireland, Lennihan and Leonaghan are preferred spellings, while in Cork, the Lenihan spelling is often seen. In Northern Ireland, the surname is often spelled as Lenaghan or Leonaghan while in Scotland it may be spelled as Lennaghan.
Frequently appearing alternate surnames of Lenaghan origins include, among others, Lanigan, Lannegan, Llonegan, Linnihan, Lennegan, Laingan, and Linnehen. Many of these alternate surnames originated as branches of an ancestral family, with Lenaghan being the most recognized form.
In modern times, Lenaghan may crop up in various forms around the world, as the result of waves of emigration from Ireland. These may be instances of changing spellings or of the fading of older forms of the name, but all ultimately trace back to the ancestral Lenaghan.
Famous people with the name Lenaghan
- Joe Lenaghan: an Australian radio presenter, currently the co-host of the morning show on 2Day FM.
- Mary Lenaghan: a former principal of St Mary's Catholic College in NSW, Australia.
- Pat Lenaghan: an Irish-American actor from Connecticut, best known for roles in film and television shows such as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Big Love".
- John Lenaghan: an English actor and theater producer, best known for being the first manager of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- Edward Lenaghan: an American film producer and director, whose credits include the drama "Breaking Point" and the thriller "Deadly Retribution".
- Bernard Lenaghan: a former jockey in British horse racing, who won eight races between 1960 and 1965.
- Danny Lenaghan: a British singer and songwriter, whose music has been featured in Hollywood movie soundtracks such as "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "50/50".
- Barry Lenaghan: an Australian artist, whose metal sculpture works are exhibited in galleries throughout Australia.
- Ethel Lenaghan: a British classical pianist, often compared to the likes of Ludwig Beethoven.
- Murt Lenaghan: an American screenwriter and director, who wrote and directed the science fiction-thriller "The Waybacks".