Surname Linehan - Meaning and Origin
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Linehan: What does the surname Linehan mean?
The last name Linehan is an Irish surname, originating from the Gaelic "O'Loingsigh," which means descendant of Loingsigh. This derivation is from the personal name "Luingeach," which can be translated to mean 'man of ships'. As a result, the Linehan surname may refer to those with ancestors who were involved with coastal navigation, ferrying goods and passengers up and down the Irish shorelines.
The meaning of the surname was likely derived from the same period of history during which the Irish Sea became an important transportation route. At this time, many of the coastal inhabitants became involved in the ferrying of goods along the routes in order to generate an income. It is now thought that the Linehan surname originated as an occupational name for those who transported goods along the Irish coastline.
Although the origin of the surname is unclear, it is thought that the family likely lived in the coastal regions of the southern part of Ireland near Cork. This region is famous for its strong maritime tradition, and some Linehan families still inhabit this area today.
Today, those who bear the Linehan last name are proud of their heritage and take pride in being descended from the generations of seafarers who plied the Irish Sea trade routes in years gone by. The Linehan surname remains in Ireland, as well as countries of Irish heritage such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisLinehan: Where does the name Linehan come from?
The last name Linehan is most commonly found in Ireland. In the most recent Ireland Census, it was ranked at 893 on the most popular last names list.
It is also found throughout England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. In the United States, Linehan ranked at 8,735th on the 2000 census list. In England, it was ranked at 6,139th on the 1881 census. Additionally, Linehan has been established in Canada for over seven centuries and is still a common last name today.
Linehan is an ancient Irish name derived from the Gaelic O'L buyer h-Armhain, which means descendant of Leary. The Linehan's are believed to be a sept, or a group descended from a common ancestor, of the Corca Laoidhe.
Linehan is also a popular name among the Irish-American community. The Irish-American heritage of the Linehan family and the spelling of the last name have changed over time, making it a very common name among those of Irish descent throughout the United States.
The Linehan family is also known for their long and rich history of contribution to the fields of engineering, medicine, and the military. Many members of the family are well known innovators, inventors, attorneys, and businessmen, and they are credited with pioneering many modern technologies.
Today, the Linehan family continue to thrive and can be found in many parts of the world, gaining new respect and admiration for their various and impressive accomplishments.
Variations of the surname Linehan
Linehan is an Irish surname which is an Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Leannáin, coming from the Gaelic word "leannan" meaning love or dearest.
The most common variants are Linehan, O'Linehan, Linnehan, Lynnehan, Linehane, and Lenihan. O’Linehan, in particular, is one of the better known of these variants.
The original spelling of Linehan was Ó Leannáin. It is a very old surname, with references to it being found as early as the 12th century in County Clare and County Cork.
The Newfoundland (Canada) spelling of Linehan is Lynnehan. Other variants of the name can be found in Irish records in other countries, including Ireland, England, Scotland, and America.
In Scotland, the Anglicized variant is Linnehan. It is often found in the Lowland region where Gaelic culture is still a part of everyday life.
In America, some of the different linehan variants include Linehan, O’Linehan, Lenihan, Lenehan, Lenhan, and Lynnehan. Alternate spellings for the same name can also be found in records from Canada and Australia.
In Australia, some of the variants of Linehan include Linnehan, Linehane, Lenhan, Lenihan, and Lenehan.
Overall, there are numerous possible Linehan variants in different countries. Some variants are spelled slightly differently from one another but all originate from the same Gaelic roots. There are also some alternate spellings and archaic variants of the name that are still in use, depending on the region.
Famous people with the name Linehan
- Graham Linehan: an Irish comedy writer and television director, best known for developing the sitcoms Father Ted, Black Books, and The IT Crowd.
- Joe Linehan: an American professional boxer in the welterweight division from Worcester, Massachusetts.
- Liam Linehan: an Irish footballer who currently plays for Shamrock Rovers F.C.
- Maurice Linehan: an Irish local politician who is a former Cathaoirleach for the County Dublin.
- Mary Linehan: an American voice actress known for voicing Florence Nightingale in various animated films.
- Peter Linehan: an English music historian, theologian and a former Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, best known for his books of medieval church music and liturgy.
- Matthew Linehan: an American football quarterback who played college football at the University of Idaho.
- Luke Linehan: an American singer, songwriter, actor, and creator of the musical hip-hop group EFryday.
- Ryan Linehan: an American football running back for the Louisville Cardinals football team.
- Siobhan Linehan: an Irish writer and comedian, known for her radio show The News at Bedtime, as well as her role in Father Ted.