SEAN

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Sean

Origin and Meaning

Sean is a popular Irish variant of the English name John. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means "God is gracious."

Historical Significance

The surname Sean has historically been associated with Irish heritage, particularly in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is a common given name among Irish males and has been adopted as a surname by many families over time.

Distribution and Popularity

The surname Sean is relatively uncommon compared to other Irish surnames. It is found predominantly in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and countries with significant Irish diaspora populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Famous Bearers

Sean Connery (1930-2020): Scottish actor known for his iconic portrayal of James Bond.
Sean Bean (1959-): English actor famous for roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones."
Seán Ó Riada (1931-1971): Irish composer and musician known for his influential work in traditional Irish music.

Variants

Variants of the surname Sean include Shawn, Shane, and Shaun, reflecting different anglicised spellings of the name.

There are approximately 189 people named Sean in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Sean.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
Coleman
Damian
Darren
David
Jack
Jay
John
Joseph
Michael
Paul
Robert

Female

Claire
Heather
Kam
Kelly
Louise
Lucy
Maria
Michelle
Sheila
Shirley

Similar and related surnames

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