| ![Show Contents]() Lenaghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Anglo-Norman Conquest of Ireland lead by Strongbow introduced the first non-Gaelic elements into Irish nomenclature. These Anglo-Normans brought some traditions to Ireland that were not readily found within Gaelic system of hereditary surnames. One of the best examples of this is the local surname. Local surnames, such as Lenaghan, were taken from the name of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. These surnames were very common in England, but were almost non-existent within Ireland previous to the conquest. Originally, these place names were prefixed by "de," which means "from" in French. This type of prefix was eventually either made a part of the surname, if the place name began with a vowel, or was eliminated entirely. The Lenaghan family originally lived in the settlement of Llanaghan, which is in the Welsh county of Brecon. Early Origins of the Lenaghan familyThe surname Lenaghan was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they were granted lands by Strongbow after his invasion of Ireland in 1172. Early History of the Lenaghan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lenaghan research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1249 is included under the topic Early Lenaghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lenaghan Spelling VariationsMedieval scribes and church officials spelled the names as they sounded, so a name was often spelled many different ways during the lifetime of a single person. The investigation of the origin of the name Lenaghan revealed many spelling variations including Lanigan, Lanahan, Lenaghan, Lanaghan, Linehan and many more. Early Notables of the Lenaghan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Lenaghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Lenaghan migration to the United States | + |
The Irish emigration during the late 18th and 19th century contributed to the melting pot of nationalities in North America, and the building of a whole new era of industry and commerce in what was seen as a rich, new land. Ireland'sGreat Potato Famine resulted in the worst economic and social conditions in the island's history. And in response to the hunger, disease, and poverty, during this decade the total number of emigrants to leave for North America rivaled all the previous years combined. Those from this decade that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Research into early immigration and passenger lists has shown many people bearing the name Lenaghan:
Lenaghan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Patt Lenaghan, aged 19, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 1
- Henry Lenaghan, who arrived in Mississippi in 1857 1
Lenaghan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Mary Lenaghan, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Ardglass, Ireland, in 1906
- Lenaghan, who landed in America from Dromod, Ireland, in 1907
- John Lenaghan, aged 27, who immigrated to America from Dromod, Ireland, in 1907
- Mary Lenaghan, aged 21, who landed in America from Ballymote, Ireland, in 1909
- Lawrence Lenaghan, aged 22, who landed in America from Strokestown, Ireland, in 1910
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Lenaghan migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Lenaghan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Mr. James Lenaghan, aged 24 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sir Henry Pottinger" departing 29th May 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 7th August 1847 but he died on board 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Lenaghan (post 1700) | + |
- Kim Lenaghan (1961-2022), Norther Irish freelance radio and television broadcaster, writer and critic who was based in Belfast, best known as the presenter of BBC Radio Ulster's weekend mornings, and the Sunday lunchtime radio food programme The Foodie
- Michael "Mick" Lenaghan (b. 1958), former Australian rules footballer who played from 1984 to 1986 for Geelong
- Denis Lenaghan (b. 1956), former Australian rules footballer
- John Lenaghan (b. 1888), English footballer from Liverpool
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: Patriae infelici fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful to an unhappy country.
- 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)
- 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. 84)
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Lenaghan migration to the United States 
Lenaghan migration to Canada 
Ireland
England
