Show ContentsTalan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The proud Talan family originated in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Talan family originally lived in the parish of Talland in the county of Cornwall. [1] [2]

Early Origins of the Talan family

The surname Talan was first found in East Cornwall at Talland, a parish, in the union of Liskeard, hundred of West. [3]

Early History of the Talan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Talan research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1160, 1180, 1619, 1642, 1663, 1685 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Talan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Talan Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Tallent, Talent, Tallen, Tallon, Tallant, Talant and others.

Early Notables of the Talan family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Francis Tallents (1619-1708), non-conforming English Presbyterian clergyman from North Wingfield, Derbyshire, who was under suspicion after Monmouth's rebellion in 1685, having to lodge...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Talan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Talan family to Ireland

Some of the Talan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Talan family

In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Talan were found: Richard Tallent, who sailed to Barbados in 1697; Elizabeth Talant sailed to Nova Scotia in 1839; Mary Tallent sailed to Nova Scotia in 1843; Mrs. Tallent settled with Bessie in San Francisco in 1852.


Contemporary Notables of the name Talan (post 1700) +

  • Len Talan, American film director of films including: "Statue of Liberty: Building of a Colossus" in 2001 and "Hansel and Gretel" in 1988
  • Deb Talan, American singer-songwriter
  • Rick Talan (1960-2015), Dutch football player who played from 1979 to 1988 for a total of 199 matches
  • Talan Skeels -Piggins (b. 1970), British Paralympic World Champion 600cc alpine skier


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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