Surname O Hanlon - Meaning and Origin
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O Hanlon: What does the surname O Hanlon mean?
The last name O'Hanlon is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ó hAnluain', which translates to 'descendant of Anluan'. The name Anluan itself means 'great champion' or 'warrior'. The spelling of this surname has changed over time with various records including O’Hanlon, O’Hanlan, Hanlon, and Hanlin. The O'Hanlon clan, who gave their name to this surname, were a powerful sept engaged in various territorial disputes in the 11th century. They were primarily based in what is now County Armagh in Northern Ireland. One of the more notable historical figures with this surname was Redmond O'Hanlon, an Irish tóraidhe (outlaw) in the late 17th century. Despite the historical roots in Ireland, the surname can now be found in various countries due to migration, particularly in the United States, Australia and Britain.
Order DNA origin analysisO Hanlon: Where does the name O Hanlon come from?
The surname O'Hanlon is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Ó hAnluain," which means "descendant of Anluan." The personal name Anluan is a combination of two Gaelic words: "an," meaning "great," and "luan," meaning "warrior" or "champion." Therefore, the name can be interpreted as "descendant of the great warrior."
The O'Hanlons were a powerful sept (a kind of clan) based in County Armagh, in what is now Northern Ireland, where they held a family estate until the 17th century. The name spread from there to the surrounding regions.
Today, the surname O'Hanlon is common in Ireland, particularly in the regions of Armagh and Tyrone. The name is also prevalent in the United States, Australia, and other parts of the world due to the large Irish diaspora. There may be some variations in spelling, including Hanlon, O'Hanlan, Hanlan, and others. Despite the dispersion, the name retains a strong Irish identity.
Variations of the surname O Hanlon
The surname O'Hanlon has its roots in Ireland and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Ó hAnluain" which means "descendant of Anluan". Anluan itself is a personal name composed of the elements "an" (great) and "luan" (warrior, champion).
Over the years and centuries, the name has been modified, leading to a variety of spellings and variants. Here is a list of some of these variants:
- Hanlon
- Hanlin
- Hanlynn
- Ohanlon
- O'Hanlin
- O'Handlon
- Handlon
The alternate spellings often involve omitting the "O", adding or removing an "a", "d", "e", or using an "i" instead of an "o". This can be due to reasons like phonetic spellings, migration, or knowledge of the Irish language. Surnames derived from the same origin are often related to the notable O'Hanlon sept who were the Chiefs of Orior in County Armagh, Ireland.
Despite these variations, each form may still connect back to the same heritage and line of ancestry, offering a rich tapestry of family history to explore.
Famous people with the name O Hanlon
- Ardal O'Hanlon: An Irish comedian and actor, most known for his roles in the TV series "Father Ted" and "Death in Paradise".
- Paige O'Hanlon: A professional football (soccer) player representing the Women's National League in Ireland.
- Redmond O'Hanlon: An English travel writer and historian. He is famous for his journeys into some of the world's most remote regions.
- Des O'Hanlon: A retired GAA sports player who represented Carlow at senior level in both hurling and football.
- Conor O'Hanlon: An Irish footballer who plays for Dundalk FC.
- Tadhg O'Hanlon: An Irish actor best known for his role in "Vikings: Valhalla".
- John O'Hanlon: An Irish attorney who was involved in high-profile cases such as the Stardust disaster and Michael Lynn's property scandal.
- Greg O'Hanlon: A character designer and artist who has worked in the animation industry for companies like Disney.
- Tommy O'Hanlon: A Northern Irish footballer, who played as a left-back. The list includes individuals from various fields like sports, TV/film, writing, law, and animation.