Surname Hannahan - Meaning and Origin

Hannahan: What does the surname Hannahan mean?

The last name Hannahan is of Irish origin, which can be traced back to the early 11th century. The name is derived from the old Irish surname O'hAnnachain, which literally translates to 'grandson of the little John'.

The Hannahans are primarily found in the provinces of Connacht and Munster in Ireland. In the mid-19th century, the family migrated to America, settling in states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The Hannahans are believed to have been a large and influential clan in ancient Ireland. They were the guardians of the ancient “Honne,” a royal bloodline of Ireland believed to have been descended from the kings of the Milesian race. This name is still associated with modern-day aristocrats within the Irish community.

The Hannahan name is also associated with a fierce strength and courage, having survived centuries of hardship and conflict. In more recent times, those with the name are proud to carry on its prestigious heritage, while also forging their own way in the world.

Today, Hannahans are found all around the world. There are countless Hannahans working in numerous industries and making great strides in social and political movements. The Hannahan name is a lasting legacy that will continue to live on for centuries to come.

Hannahan: Where does the name Hannahan come from?

The surname Hannahan is mainly found in Irish and English-speaking countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is the anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó hAnnacháin, which comes from two distinct clans in Ireland, both of which trace their origin back to the 9th century.

In the United States, the surname Hannahan is most common in the states of Ohio, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Ohio had the highest number of people with the last name Hannahan, with 1,010 people bearing the surname in 2018, according to the US Census Bureau. Massachusetts and Illinois came in second and third, respectively.

In the UK, Hannahan is a relatively common last name in Northern Ireland, with the highest concentration located in the Belfast area.

Throughout Australia, over 340 people bear the surname Hannahan, and the highest concentration of people with the surname is in the state of New South Wales.

In Canada, the surname is found in all provinces, but with the highest concentration located in the cities of Montreal and Toronto.

The surname Hannahan remains an uncommon but recognizable name in many parts of the world, with its roots firmly planted in Irish and English history.

Variations of the surname Hannahan

The surname Hannahan is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname O hAnnachain, which is of the patronymic origin, and can be translated to English as "descendant of Anachan". The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of this name include Hanneghan, Hanigan, Hannigan, Handahan, Honigan, Hanaghan, Hennigan, Hennaghan, Honighan, Hennegan, O'Hannahan, O'Hannahen and Hannthen.

Hanneghan, Hanigan, Hannigan, Handahan, Honigan, Hanaghan and Hennigan are all derived from the Irish Gaelic, and are spelling variants of the name Hannahan, simply derived from the process of anglicising the Gaelic name.

Hennessey, Hennaghan, Honighan, Hennegan, O'Hannahan, O'Hannahen and Hannthen, however, are all arising as a result of the elision of the Gaelic prefix "O" to form the name. The elimination of this prefix led to changes in spelling of the surname, and ultimately, to the formation of these names.

Many Irish names such as this one, have many spelling variants, and there are believed to be over 40 variants of the surname Hannahan. This is down to historical factors such as the illiteracy of religious registrars who recorded names in baptismal records or the influences of different dialects. Regardless of the exact spelling, all these names have the same origins and the same meaning - a descendant of Anachan.

Famous people with the name Hannahan

• Jack Hannahan: American Major League Baseball (MLB) player
• Pat Hannahan: American freestyle skiier
• Andy Hannahan: Scottish singer, musician and songwriter
• Bronisław Hannahan: Ukrainian-Polish military leader
• Craig Hannahan: Australian rules footballer
• Bill Hannahan: Australian football coach
• Catherine Hannahan: New Zealand-born New Zealand rugby union player
• John Hannahan: American baseball umpire
• John Hannahan Jr: Video game journalist
• Ryan Hannahan: American professional golfer

Other surnames

Hannah