Lennan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Lennan originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Leannain, which is possibly derived from the word leann, which denotes a cloak. Another possible derivation is from the word leanan, which means paramour.

Early Origins of the Lennan family

The surname Lennan was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Lennan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lennan research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lennan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lennan Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Lennan family name include Lennon, Lannin, Lannon, Linnane, O'Lennon, Lennane, Leonard, MacAlinion, O'Lennan and many more.

Early Notables of the Lennan family

More information is included under the topic Early Lennan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lennan migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Lennan:

Lennan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Lennan, who landed in America in 1806 1

Lennan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lennan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Catherine Lennan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Birman" in 1840 2
Anne Lennan, aged 29, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Constantine"
Thomas Lennan, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Monsoon"
Patrick Lennan, aged 25, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Carnatic"
Charles Lennan, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lennan (post 1700) +

C. E. Lennan, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 40th District, 1921-22 4

The Lennan Motto +

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: Prisco stirpe hibernico
Motto Translation: Of an ancient Irish stock

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BIRMAN 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Birman.htm
South Australian Register Monday 20th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Thomas Gresham 1858. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sirthomasgresham1858.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html