Origin of the surname Flanagan

This noble and distinguished surname is of Gaelic (Irish) origin, and is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic "O'Flannagain", descendant of the ruddy one, from "O", grandson, male descendant, and "Flannagain", a diminutive of "flann", red, ruddy. Traditionally, Irish family names are taken from the heads of tribes or some illustrious warrior, and are usually prefixed by "O" (as above), or "mac" denoting "son of". Flannagan, from whom this great sept sprung, was one of the same stock as the royal 'Connors, and his line held the hereditary office of Stewards to the Kings of Connaught.

The main O'Flannagain sept was seated between Mantua and Elphin, and their chief, a royal lord under the kingly O'Connors, ruled over the territory of Magh Aoi, in Co. Roscommon. Today, Flanagan is numbered among the hundred most widespread surnames in Ireland, and takes sixty-ninth place on that list, the greatest number of namebearers being found in Co. Roscommon, and in the counties of the western seaboard - Mayo, Galway and Clare. Theophilus O'Flanagan (1760 - 1818), was a leading figure in the early Gaelic revival movement. A Coat of Arms granted to the family is a silver shield, with an oak tree proper emerging out of a green mount in base a bordure of the second, the Crest being a dexter cubit arm in armour proper, garnished gold and red, holding a flaming azure sword, pommel and hilt gold. The Motto "Certavi et vici" means "I have fought and conquered". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Donough O'Flanagan, Bishop of Elphin, which was dated 1308, in the "Ecclesiastical Records of Co. Roscommon", during the reign of King Edward 11 of England, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307 - 1327. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Flanagan. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of flanagan is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of flanagan leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname flanagan is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of flanagan.

The surname Flanagan around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname flanagan. There is a considerable probability that flanagan has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where flanagan is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname flanagan provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Flanagan

The historical chronicle of flanagan is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named flanagan are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname flanagan, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of flanagan developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname flanagan.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname flanagan, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of flanagan could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about flanagan and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Flanagan

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished flanagans throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname flanagan, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname flanagan were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname flanagan, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname flanagan who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Flanagan and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of flanagan. The bibliography collects information related to the surname flanagan, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of flanagan are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of flanagan.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of flanagan, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Flanagan