The first family to use the name Shanon lived in the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. It was used as a nickname for a person noted as possessing great wisdom, or an elderly person. The surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic name O Seanain, which comes from the word sean, which has the double meaning of old and wise.
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Early Origins of the Shanon family
The surname Shanon was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
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Early History of the Shanon family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shanon research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1548 is included under the topic Early Shanon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Shanon Spelling Variations
Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Shanon has been written as Shannon, Shennan, Shennane and others.
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Early Notables of the Shanon family
More information is included under the topic Early Shanon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Shanon family to Ireland
Some of the Shanon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Shanon migration to New Zealand
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Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:
Shanon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Ephraim Shanon, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mermaid" in 1859 1
E. Shanon, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 2
Contemporary Notables of the name Shanon (post 1700)
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Shanon Slack (b. 1984), American mixed martial artist
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Virtute Duce Motto Translation: With virtue for guide.
Shanon migration to New Zealand 
Scotland
Ireland
