Show ContentsHonan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish surname Honan was, in most instances, an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic Ó hEoghanain; however, it is also thought to have derived from Ó hUaithnin, sharing the same origin as Honeen, and O'Huonyn.

Early Origins of the Honan family

The surname Honan was first found in the ancient territory of Thomond (Irish: Tuadh Mumhan), literally North Thomond, the pre-Norman Kingdom of Thomond, since divided between counties Limerick, Tipperary and Clare.

Early History of the Honan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Honan research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1699 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Honan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Honan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Honan, O'Honan, Honeen, Honyn, O'Honounne and many more.

Early Notables of the Honan family

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


Honan migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Honan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Honan, who was naturalized in Kentucky in 1853
  • Martin and James Honan, who immigrated to New York from County Clare in 1855
  • James Honan, who was naturalized in Indiana between 1853 and 1857
  • Edward Honan, who was naturalized in Indiana in 1870

Honan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Honan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Honan, aged 30 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Covenanter" departing 17th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 9th August 1847 but he died on board 1
  • Mr. John Honan, aged 35 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing 11th July 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 20th August 1847 but he died on board 1
  • Miss. Mary Honan, aged 6 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Covenanter" departing 17th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 9th August 1847 but she died on board 1

Honan migration to Australia +

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

Honan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Honan, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Coromandel" 2
  • Michael Honan, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Glentanner" 3
  • James Honan, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Utopia"
  • Thomas Honan, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Frenchman"
  • Jane Honan, aged 18, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Frenchman"
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Honan migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 4
Honan Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Teague Honan, who settled in Barbados in 1679

Contemporary Notables of the name Honan (post 1700) +

  • William H Honan, American reporter for the New York Times
  • Linda Honan, American writer of history books for children
  • Martin Weldon "Marty" Honan (1869-1908), American Major League Baseball player
  • Park Honan (b. 1928), American academic and author
  • Dermot Patrick Honan (d. 1986), Irish politician, Fianna Fáil politician from County Clare in Ireland
  • Darach Honan (b. 1990), Irish hurler for Clare (2010-2017)
  • Catherine "Cathy" Honan (b. 1951), Irish politician, former Progressive Democrats politician from County Laois in Ireland
  • Colm Honan (b. 1954), Irish retired hurler for Clare (1974-1984)
  • Tras Honan (b. 1930), former Irish Fianna Fáil politician
  • Robert Emmett "Bob" Honan (b. 1944), Australian former rugby league and rugby union player, member of the Australian National Team in 1964


The Honan 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: Nec timeo nec sperno
Motto Translation: I neither fear nor despise.


  1. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 80)
  2. South Australian Register Tuesday 9th January 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Coromandel 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/coromandel1855.shtml
  3. South Australia Passengerlists (Retrieved 10th November 2010). Retrieved from https://archives.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/documentstore/passengerlists/1855/GRG35_48_1_55-35_Glentanner.pdf
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies


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