Show ContentsConcannen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gaelic, otherwise known as Early Modern Irish, was used in Ireland from around the year 1200 until the 18th century. It is from this language that we found the first references to the name Concannen as Ó Concheanainn, possibly meaning "fair headed hound." 1

The family descends from Cuceannan, who was killed in 991. Another reference, claims that the surname could have been derived from MacConceannain, and in this case it was derived from the Irish "conn," a man's personal name + "gan," which means without + "an," which means a "lie," collectively meaning "Conn the speaker of truth." 2

Early Origins of the Concannen family

The surname Concannen was first found in Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, and Roscommon where they claim descent from the Heremon kings, from the Ui Bruin and more specifically they were derived from Dermot, brother of Murias the 29th King of Connacht who was alive in the 9th century. They claim descendancy from the O'Connors, hence the similarity of the Coat of Arms which both depict a tree at the center point.

Early History of the Concannen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Concannen research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1640, 1690, 1732, 1748 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Concannen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Concannen Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname Concannen can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Concannon, O'Concannon, Cancannon, Concanon, Cancanon, O'Concanon, Connon and many more.

Early Notables of the Concannen family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Concannen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Concannen family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Concannen name: Patrick Cancannon arrived in New York State in 1811; Michael Concannon who arrived in Philadelphia in 1878; Edward, George, James, Michael, Timothy, arrived in Philadelphia or Boston between 1840 or 1870.



The Concannen 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:
Motto Translation: Wisdom without blemish.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)


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