Flannigan

Origin and Meaning: Flannigan is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Flannagáin", meaning "descendant of Flannagán". The personal name Flannagán itself is derived from the Old Irish word "flann", meaning "red" or "ruddy".

History and Distribution: The surname Flannigan is primarily found in Ireland and Scotland, with a smaller presence in England. It is most commonly found in the counties of Tyrone and Down in Northern Ireland, as well as in Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland. The name likely originated in Ireland and later spread to Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom.

Notable Bearers:

  • Seamus Flannigan (1910-1985): An Irish poet known for his works that celebrated the beauty of the Irish countryside.
  • Fiona Flannigan (b. 1965): A Scottish actress who has appeared in numerous stage productions in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
  • Dr. Liam Flannigan (1948-2017): A renowned British historian specialising in Irish and Scottish medieval history.

Variants and Derivatives: Variants of the surname Flannigan include Flanagan, Flannagan, and O'Flannigan.

Coat of Arms: The Flannigan family crest typically features symbols associated with strength, loyalty, and ancestry. The shield may contain elements symbolising the family's Irish heritage, such as shamrocks or Celtic designs.

Modern Presence: While the Flannigan surname is not as common as some other Irish surnames, it continues to be passed down through generations and can be found among people of Irish and Scottish descent around the United Kingdom and beyond.

There are approximately 1,529 people named Flannigan in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,272nd most common surname in Britain. Around 23 in a million people in Britain are named Flannigan.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Ann
  • Barbara
  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Fiona
  • Helen
  • Jean
  • Joan
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Maria
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Sarah
  • Sheila

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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