Hannigan

Hannigan is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó hAnnaigh", meaning "descendant of Annach", a personal name of uncertain origin. The Hannigan surname is particularly common in counties Mayo and Roscommon in Ireland. It is believed to have originated from the western provinces of Ireland during the medieval period.

Origin and Distribution:

The Hannigan surname has its roots in Ireland, with the majority of individuals bearing this surname being of Irish descent. Over time, some bearers of the Hannigan surname have emigrated from Ireland to various countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As a result, the surname can be found in these countries as well.

Notable Bearers:

Notable individuals bearing the Hannigan surname include:

  • Alyson Hannigan (b. 1974) - American actress known for her roles in television series such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "How I Met Your Mother."
  • Brian Hannigan - British author and historian specialising in Celtic studies.
  • Martin Hannigan - Irish politician serving as a member of the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament.

Variants:

Variants of the Hannigan surname include Hennigan, Hanegan, and Haynegan.

References:

  • Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames (Oxford University Press, 1989)
  • Edward MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland (Irish Academic Press, 1985)

The Hannigan surname carries a rich history and remains a distinctive name within the realms of British and Irish genealogy.

There are approximately 1,534 people named Hannigan in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,254th most common surname in Britain. Around 24 in a million people in Britain are named Hannigan.

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

  • Anthony
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Patrick
  • Paul
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Anna
  • Elizabeth
  • Gemma
  • Helen
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Linda
  • Lindsay
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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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