Show ContentsLannon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Lannon originally appeared in Gaelic as O 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 Lannon family

The surname Lannon 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 Lannon family

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

Lannon Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Lannon dating from that time include Lennon, Lannin, Lannon, Linnane, O'Lennon, Lennane, Leonard, MacAlinion, O'Lennan and many more.

Early Notables of the Lannon family

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

Lannon Ranking

In the United States, the name Lannon is the 12,021st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Lannon is ranked the 721st most popular surname with an estimated 60 people with that name. [2]


United States Lannon migration to the United States +

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Lannon family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Lannon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Carr Lannon, who arrived in Maryland in 1833 [3]

Canada Lannon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lannon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Edward Lannon, aged 23 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Progress" departing from the port of New Ross, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [4]
  • Mr. Thomas Lannon, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Ninian" departing from the port of Limerick, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 [4]

Australia Lannon migration to Australia +

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

Lannon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Lannon, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord Raglan" [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Lannon (post 1700) +

  • Timothy R. Lannon, American academic, 24th President of the Creighton University(2011-), 26th President of the Saint Joseph's University (2003-2011)
  • Ryan Lannon (b. 1982), American former professional ice hockey defenseman
  • James Patrick Lannon (1878-1953), American rear admiral, recipient of the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914
  • Nyles Lannon, American folk and electronic musician
  • Dr Frances Lannon FRHistS (b. 1945), British academic and educator, Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

SS Atlantic
  • Bridget Lannon, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking


The Lannon 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


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  3. 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)
  4. 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. 38)
  5. South Australian Register Wednesday 25th October 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord Raglan 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/lordraglan1854.shtml


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