Lennon

Background

Lennon is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Leannain," meaning "descendant of Leannan." The name is common in both Ireland and Britain, particularly in areas with a strong Irish heritage.

History

The Lennon surname can be traced back to County Donegal in Ireland, where the O'Leannain sept held their ancestral seat. The name spread to other parts of Ireland and, over time, to Britain and beyond as people emigrated. Notably, the surname gained widespread recognition through the fame of the musician and peace activist John Lennon, who was a member of the Beatles.

Distribution

Lennon is a relatively common surname in the British Isles, particularly in regions with a significant Irish population such as Liverpool, Manchester, and parts of Scotland. The name can also be found in other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to Irish immigration.

Famous Bearers

  • John Lennon: Musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as a member of the Beatles.
  • Julian Lennon: Musician and son of John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon.
  • Rhys Ifans (Birth name: Rhys Owain Evans): Actor of Welsh descent, who took on the stage surname "Lennon" early in his career.

Variants

Variants of the Lennon surname include Lennan and Lenon.

There are approximately 6,758 people named Lennon in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,391st most common surname in Britain. Around 104 in a million people in Britain are named Lennon.

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

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Patrick
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Jane
  • Karen
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • 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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