Surname Ohanlon - Meaning and Origin
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Ohanlon: What does the surname Ohanlon mean?
The surname Ohanlon is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic words "O" meaning "descendant of" and "Anluan," a personal name. "Anluan" itself translates to "great champion" or "warrior". Therefore, the surname Ohanlon can be interpreted as "descendant of a great champion or warrior". This name traces its roots back to a dynasty of kings and lords in Ulster, Ireland, underlining a lineage of leadership and bravery. Like many Irish surnames, it has various spellings such as O'Hanlon, Hanlon, and Hanlin. Despite its origins, the surname has spread to various countries around the world due to Irish migration.
Order DNA origin analysisOhanlon: Where does the name Ohanlon come from?
The surname Ohanlon originates from Ireland, more specifically from the province of Ulster. It is derived from the Irish "O hAnluain", which means "descendant of Anluan" – with "Anluan" being a personal name that translates as "great champion". The family was a part of the Cenél nEógain (kindred of Owen) grouping, part of the Uí Néill (descendants of Niall Noigíallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages), who were powerful in the northern part of the island from ancient times up until the 17th century.
Today, the Ohanlon surname is still common in its area of origin, Northern Ireland, as well as in the Republic of Ireland. Due to the migration and diaspora of the Irish people over centuries, the name has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia where it may be encountered, often with variations in spelling such as Hanlon or O'Hanlon.
Variations of the surname Ohanlon
The surname Ohanlon has a variety of spellings and variants due to it being translated across languages and cultures. It is of Irish origin and is often spelled as O'Hanlon in English-speaking countries to demonstrate the Irish patronymic "O" which means "descendant of".
Other variations of the name can feature different combination of consonants and vowels, depending on the pronunciation and local influences. Some of these variants include Hanlon, Hanlan, Hanlin, Hanlone, Hanlyon, O’Hanlan, O’Hanlin, and O’Hanlone.
Having different spellings and variants is common for surnames, as it can change due to factors like migration, transcription errors, anglicisation or even personal preference. The spelling of Ohanlon is likely to show regional differences within Ireland itself, with different counties or areas having traditional or locally specific spellings.
It's also worth noting that the original Irish version of the surname is Ó hAnluain, which directly translates to "descendant of Anluan". This surname might also be tracked with various spellings such as Ó hanluain, Ó h-anluain, Ó hAnluain etc. due to phonetic transliteration from Gaelic to English, showing a diverse range of variations for the Ohanlon surname.
Famous people with the name Ohanlon
- Ardal O'Hanlon: A famous Irish comedian and actor. He's best known for his work in the popular TV sitcom "Father Ted".
- George O'Hanlon: An American actor, and comedian best known for his role as the voice of George Jetson in the animated series "The Jetsons".
- George O'Hanlon Jr.: An American actor, known for his roles in "Rocky II", "Escape from the Planet of the Apes", and "Airport".
- Des O'Hanlon: A famous Irish Gaelic footballer, forming part of the Carlow senior inter-county team from 2002 until 2014.
- Redmond O'Hanlon: Alternatively known as Eamonn Duff, O'Hanlon is a renowned Irish writer and traveler, most popular for his books about his adventures in the jungles and mountains.
- Scott O'Hanlon: A professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Flackwell Heath in England.
- Pete O'Hanlon: A musician, known as a bassist, for the Northern Irish blues rock band The Strypes.
- Leo O'Hanlon: He was an Irish footballer who played as an inside forward and made one appearance for the Ireland national team in 1929.
- Grace O'Hanlon: A New Zealand field hockey player part of the women's national team.
- Tamara O'Hanlon: An actress best known for her roles in "The Book of Stars" and "Virus".