Hanlon
An Irish surname usually from Ó hAnluain, meaning a descendant of a name linked with valour or “great warrior” traditions.
The #3,476 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 30,039 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Hanlon is generally treated as an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó hAnluain. The personal name Anluan is commonly explained from Gaelic elements associated with “heroism” or “fierce warriorhood,” though older writers sometimes glossed it more loosely as “champion.” In modern use, Hanlon is best understood as an Irish patronymic surname rather than a name derived from a place or occupation.
History
The surname is strongly associated with Ireland, especially the south and west, and appears in later records in both its Irish form and its Anglicized spellings. Nineteenth-century surname writers regularly grouped Hanlon with other Irish family names beginning with Han-, reflecting its established Irish pedigree. It later spread through emigration to Britain, North America, and other English-speaking countries.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older surname collections, Hanlon is often listed alongside Hanly, Hannon, and related Irish names because all were widely encountered in anglicized record forms.
From the historical record
“FI. Hancke, Hancq ; G. Hanke, Hanko; p.n. See Hanchett Panlon. From the Irish O’Hanlon (champion) Ianmer. A loc. n., Flint Iannaford. See Hanford Iannah. N. Hani (a cock) ; n.n. ;”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)