Lenihan

Lenihan
Recorded in many spellings forms including O'Lenihan, Lenihan, Lenaghan, and McLenahan and McClenaghan, this is a surname of some confusion as to exact origins and meanings. What can be said is that all are versions of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic names O'Lennachain and Mac Leanachain, respectively. The former name may translate as "long ship", a nickname possibly for a Norse-Viking or at least a sailer, as the Viking held much of Ireland in the 9th century, whilst the latter may mean "a possessor of mantles". This is probably a reference to mantles as worn as cloaks, and granted to holders of coats of arms. It may have some indication of nobility, as only those of rank were allowed to wear such clothing. The O'Lenihan clan was originally situated in County Roscommon, while two other distinct septs were recorded, the first in County Mayo and County Armagh; the second in Counties Cork and Limerick. In the latter country they were also "erenaghs" or local hereditary lay lords, responsible for the upkeep and preservation of church lands and property in Ardpatrick. The McLenahans' were mostly associated with County Tyrone. It has been suggested that they are of Scottish origin becuse of the 'Mac' prefix, but in fact this can be applied to either Scottish or Irish surnames. The first recorded spelling of the family name is possibly that of Maelciaran O'Lenechan. He was a priest who was mentioned in the "Annals of Loch Ce" in the year 1249. This was during the period when Hubert de Burgh, a Norman Irish baron, was Chief Justice of Ireland. 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Lenihan — ist der Name folgender Personen: Brian Lenihan senior (1930–1996), irischer Politiker (Fianna Fáil) Brian Joseph Lenihan (1959–2011), irischer Politiker (Fianna Fáil) Conor Lenihan (* 1963), irischer Politiker (Fianna Fáil) Donal Lenihan (*1959) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lenihan, Brian Joseph — ▪ 1996       Irish politician (b. Nov. 17, 1930, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland d. Nov. 1, 1995, Dublin, Ireland), was a leading member of the Fianna Fail party for more than 30 years, notably while serving as Ireland s deputy prime minister… …   Universalium

  • Lenihan, Winifred — (1898 1964)    Born in New York City and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), she made her acting debut in 1918. She played the title role in the American premier of George Bernard Shaw s Saint Joan (1923). Her other Broadway… …   The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater

  • Brian Lenihan, Snr — This article is about the elder politician. For his son, see Brian Lenihan, Jnr. Brian Lenihan Minister for Defence In office 12 July 1989 – 31 October 1990 Preceded by …   Wikipedia

  • Edmund Lenihan — (born 1950), also known as Eddie Lenihan, is an Irish author, storyteller, lecturer and broadcaster. [cite book| last = Lenihan| first = Eddie| authorlink =| coauthors = Carolyn Eve Green| title = Meeting the Other Crowd | subtitle = The Fairy… …   Wikipedia

  • Conor Lenihan — Lenihan (2nd left) welcoming Lech Kaczyński to Ireland. Minister of State for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources …   Wikipedia

  • Brian Lenihan, Jnr — Brian Lenihan Nom de naissance Brian Joseph Lenihan Naissance 21 mai 1959 Dublin Décès 10 juin 2011 (à 52 ans) Dublin Nationalité …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Brian Lenihan, Jnr — Infobox Minister name = Brian Lenihan, Jnr honorific suffix = width = 150px office = Minister for Finance term start = 7 May 2008 term end = taoiseach = Brian Cowen predecessor = Brian Cowen successor = order2 = Minister for Justice, Equality and …   Wikipedia

  • Brian Joseph Lenihan — (irisch Brian Ó Luineacháin, * 21. Mai 1959 in Dublin; † 10. Juni 2011 ebenda) war ein irischer Politiker der Fianna Fáil und zuletzt vom 7. Mai 2008 bis zum 9. März 2011 Finanzminister der Republik Irland. Lenihan besuchte das Belvedere College… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Donal Lenihan — Personal information Full name Donal Lenihan Born September 12, 1959 (1959 09 12) (age 52) Cork, Republic of Ireland Playing information …   Wikipedia

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