Talan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Norman invaders imported their own naming principles which supplemented the pre-existing system of hereditary surnames that the Irish had already developed. One of the most common types of surnames for both cultures at this time was the patronymic surname, which was formed from the name of the bearer's father, or another older relative. Like the Irish, the Strongbownians used prefixes to build patronymic names, and although the Gaelic prefixes of "Mac" and "O" were occasionally adopted, the Anglo-Normans also used the prefix Fitz-, which was derived from the French word fils, and ultimately from the Latin filius, which both mean son. This prefix probably originated in Flanders or Normandy, but it is now found only in Ireland. Another way of forming patronymic names was through the addition of a diminutive suffix to the given name, such as -ot, -et, -un, -in, or -el. Occasionally, two suffixes were combined to form a double diminutive, as in the combinations of -el-in, -el-ot, -in-ot, and -et-in. The surname Talan is derived from a Germanic personal name derived from the element tal, which means destroy. The name Talan was also applied as a nickname to someone who was a fast runner or had a deformed heel. In this case, the surname Talan is derived from the Old French word talon, which means heel, and is derived from the Lain word talus. The Gaelic form of the surname Talan is Talún.

Early Origins of the Talan family

The surname Talan was first found in Carlow (Irish: Cheatharlach) a small landlocked area located in the province of Leinster in the South East of Ireland.

Early History of the Talan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Talan research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Talan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Talan Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes spelled names as they sounded; therefore, single person, could have his name spelt many different ways during their lifetime. While investigating the origins of the name Talan, many spelling variations were encountered, including: Tallon, Talon, Talun, Tallun, Tallan, Talan and others.

Early Notables of the Talan family

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

Migration of the Talan family

Ireland went through one of the most devastating periods in its history with the arrival of the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Many also lost their lives from typhus, fever and dysentery. And poverty was the general rule as tenant farmers were often evicted because they could not pay the high rents. Emigration to North America gave hundreds of families a chance at a life where work, freedom, and land ownership were all possible. For those who made the long journey, it meant hope and survival. The Irish emigration to British North America and the United States opened up the gates of industry, commerce, education and the arts. Early immigration and passenger lists have shown many Irish people bearing the name Talan: Patrick Tallin, who sailed to Virginia in 1652; Henry Tallon, moved to Allegheny County in 1843; James Augustine Tallon sailed to Nova Scotia in 1829.

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