Surname Calnan - Meaning and Origin
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Calnan: What does the surname Calnan mean?
The last name Calnan is a variation of the Gaelic Irish surname Calnan which is derived from the word ‘calamh’ meaning ‘excellent’. This name is most commonly found in the county of Cork in Ireland and is steeped in a proud Irish heritage and culture.
The Calnan surname is believed to have first been adopted by the Keltys, a small sept of the O'Mahony clan located near Kinsale in Cork, during the 12th century. The surname was adopted to indicate when a member of the sept distinguished themselves through acts of excellent bravery or deeds. It is likely that the O’Mahony clan recognized family members for their heroic feats in battles and awarded them this exclusive nickname.
The Calnan clan members set up their own small estates at Calnan’s Tower and Rincoola Castle during the 15th and 16th centuries and soon grew to become one of the most powerful families in the south of Cork. As their lands and economic influence grew, so did their name, with many branches of the Calnan family now hailing from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and beyond.
Today, the Calnan family is still considered a noble family in Cork, with many members still making a name for themselves through their excellent service and courage. This proud surname acts as a reminder of the rich Irish heritage and culture so many of us take part in today.
Order DNA origin analysisCalnan: Where does the name Calnan come from?
The surname Calnan is a relatively uncommon name, present mostly in northern Europe. It is most commonly encountered in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, and the US. In the US, the surname Calnan can primarily be found in New England, California, and larger metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
The surname is derived from the Irish Ó Cailín which means “son of Cailínech” and was primarily found in ancient Connacht, specifically County Mayo. Surrounding counties also noted a high concentration of this last name.
Calnan has also been derived from the Gaelic word “calanan” which roughly translates to “bald”. This has made the surname more popular in the southern regions of Ireland rather than the north.
Just over 13,000 bearers of this surname are known today, the majority of which are in the United States. This represents a tiny fraction of the total population as a whole. However, despite its scarcity, this name continues to be found and is passed down from generation to generation, making it a part of Irish and international history.
Variations of the surname Calnan
The surname Calnan has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Calnon, but other variants include Calinan, Calannan, Calnon, Colnane, Callnan, Colnan, Callan, Caulnan, Cailnan, Colnane and Cownan.
The spelling of the surname Calnan varies by region. In Ireland, the most common variant is Calnon. In Scotland, it is often spelled Calinnan, Calnane, Colnan, Callnan, and Caulnan, which are also found in Northern Ireland. In England, the spelling is usually Calnan, Colnane, or Callan.
Surnames of the same origin as Calnan include Cownan, Callahan, Callaghan, and Caulfield. All of these surnames derive from the Gaelic personal name Ó Cathail meaning "descendant of Cathal".
The Calnan surname is believed to have originated in Ireland and then spread to Scotland and England. The Calnan surname is still relatively common across all of these countries today.
Famous people with the name Calnan
- Bridget Calnan: Australian TV presenter
- Maureen Calnan– Irish former diplomat
- Eoin Calnan: Irish footballer
- Jordan Calnan: Australian singer vocals
- Kevin Calnan: English rugby player
- Sheila Calnan: Irish politician
- Brendan Calnan: Australian politician
- Rebecca Calnan: Irish swimmer
- Marion Calnan: Irish TV executive
- John Calnan: Canadian painter