Surname Lenigan - Meaning and Origin
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Lenigan: What does the surname Lenigan mean?
The surname Lenigan is an anglicised version of the Irish surname "O'Lonagain," which is derived from the Gaelic "O Loingsigh," or "O'Loingsigh." This alludes to the province of Leinster in Ireland, which is thought to be where the surname originated. The Lenigans were a prominent family in the 10th to 12th centuries and descended from a prominent King of Leinster. The family remained important until the 17th century and fought against the English on several occasions.
The Lenigan name may come from the Irish word for "scarlet," "lon." This could refer to the red hair of the family or, alternatively, to a battle in which they dyed their clothing in blood. It also could refer to some form of bravery or ferocity during combat, given that the surname implies "fierce one of the Loingsigh." The name could also be derived from the word for "sprinkling," which may have been interpreted as being a reference to the forceful settling of the area by the Lenigan clan.
In terms of distribution, Lenigan is most common in Ireland and dispersed throughout the world due to the significant diaspora associated with the country's turbulent history. Today, the Lenigan surname is still very much present in Ireland, and present in a significant form within the global Irish diaspora. In terms of the etymology of the name, while the particular origin of Lenigan is still a source of debate, the name remains an important symbol of the Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisLenigan: Where does the name Lenigan come from?
The last name Lenigan is believed to be of Irish origin, which means that it is most commonly found in areas with strong Irish populations. Ireland itself, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States are some of the countries with the greatest presence of the Lenigan surname.
In the United States, the states with the largest numbers of people bearing the Lenigan surname are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Lenigans are also quite common in the American Southwest, including Arizona, Nevada, and California.
There is a particularly strong concentration of Lenigans in the northeastern United States. For instance, New York has the highest rate of Lenigans per capita, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. In Pennsylvania, the Lenigan name is common in Greene County and the surrounding area. Similarly, New York has a strong presence in Suffolk County.
The Lenigan name is quite rare in most other parts of the world, such as Asia and Africa, and there is even less major influence of the Lenigan surname in Europe. However, there are some regions in Germany, Italy, France, and Spain where a few Lenigans may be found.
Variations of the surname Lenigan
Lenigan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Irish surname O’Luingan. The name can be found in English language spellings such as: Lenigan, Lenihan, Linnane, Linnahan, Linningan, Lennygan, Lennigan, Lenogan, Lennogen, Linehan, Linegan and Linehan. Variants of this name are found throughout the world, including in Scotland, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In Scotland, Lenigan is sometimes spelled Linden or Lendines. One particular variant, Linehan, is most commonly found in the English counties of Cornwall and Devon. In the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand the surname is often spelled Lenihan, Handsalon, Handselon or Handsin.
In addition to the various spellings and variants, the name can also be found in other related surnames such as Linan, Loaning, Lenehan, Lannigan, Lennigen, Lundin, Lenniegen and Leenan. Each of these surnames may have different roots and can be found throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe and North America.
Altogether, the Lenigan surname can be found in many different spellings and variants, some of which are related while other are certainly not. No matter what spelling is used, this surname has its roots in Ireland and has traveled the world over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Lenigan
- John Lenigan Sr., British cricketer and footballer
- Paul Lenigan, Irish hurler
- John Lennon Jr., American musician
- Michael Lenigan, actor
- Ray Lenigan, English footballer
- Charles Lenigan, American rugby league player
- Barry Lenigan, English footballer
- Kay Lenigan, Australian actor
- Eileen Lenigan, Irish shooter
- John Lenigan Jr., British cricketer