Surname Larkan - Meaning and Origin
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Larkan: What does the surname Larkan mean?
The last name Larkan is most commonly found in European origins and has likely Irish or Scottish roots. Its origin is derived from a medieval Gaelic name that means “Protector,” implying a heroic role that an ancestor of the original Larkan family may have filled. Its root words could also mean “swift” or “lark” depending on the Gaelic dialect that it was derived from. Families with the last name Larkan typically still live in mostly Irish or Scottish regions, but have also spread out into other parts of the world.
The Larkan family crest is likely to represent the family’s themes of strength and courage. Common symbols include a coat of arms, lark, eagle, wavy bars, dragon, and a stag's head. Typical colors of the Larkan coat of arms are silver, green, orange, and red, each of which expresses a different meaning within the crest. For example, green symbolizes loyalty and hope, while silver symbolizes strength and stability.
The last name Larkan, originating from the Gaelic word meaning “Protector” or “swift-footed”, embodies the strength, courage, loyalty, and hope that the original Larkan family held in their hearts. The family crest keeps these values alive in the generations that follow them, so that the values never get lost.
Order DNA origin analysisLarkan: Where does the name Larkan come from?
The last name Larkan is primarily found in the United States, specifically among those of Irish descent. It is most commonly found in the states of New York and Massachusetts, with smaller concentrations in other states, such as Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The Larkan surname first appears in the 1600s. It is an Anglicized version of the old Gaelic Ó Lorcáin, which referred to a local landlord or tribal official who had the authority to pass judgement. After the Norman invasion of 1169, Gaelic surnames began to change in spelling to sound more English and the Ó Lorcáin surname was likely one of these changes.
Until the 19th century, the Larkans in Ireland were living primarily in County Kilkenny and County Wexford. It is likely that the branch that migrated to the US had originally come from these counties as well as a few other areas in Leinster in southeastern Ireland.
Today, the Larkan name has spread throughout the United States and Canadian provinces, with a few individuals still bearing the name in Ireland. It is primarily concentrated along the eastern seaboard of the United States, South-Eastern Canada, and Great Britain.
Variations of the surname Larkan
The surname Larkan has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variation of the surname is Larkin. Other variations include: Larkins, Larken, Larkins, Laarkin, Laarken, Laarkins, Laarken, Larking, Laarking, Larkan, Laarkan, Larkann, Laarkann, Larkina, Laarkina, Larkanen, Laarkanen, Larkane, Laarkane, Larkinne, Laarkinne, Larkian, Laarkian.
Larkan is an Irish surname which is derived from the Gaelic word “O’Lorcain”, meaning “descendant of Lorcain”. The Irish Gaelic name Lorcain can be translated as “fierce” or “warrior”.
The Larkan surname is a variant of the common surname Larkin, with the two often used interchangeably. The name Larkin originated in the 11th century with the Norman invasion of Ireland. During this time, the Norman invader William de Lorcain occupied substantial lands in Co. Kilkenny and Co. Louth in Ireland.
Other variations of the Larkin name include variants and spellings found in different regions. In Scotland, the name Larkin is more likely to be spelled Larkan. In England, the name is likely spelled Larkins. In America, the name is mainly spelled Larken or Larkin.
The Larkan surname has become popular in many countries around the world including the United States, Canada, Trinity, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Ireland. It is a common sight in many European records and documents, particularly in Ireland. The surname can also be found in the archives of many of the founding families of the United States, showing its presence across the centuries.
Famous people with the name Larkan
- Emma Larkan: Actress known for starring in the 2020 film, Christmas with a Prince.
- Marty Larkan: Former professional footballer who played for teams in America, England, and Australia.
- Phillip Larkan: Producer and writer best known for writing and producing the successful Netflix series, Queen.
- Alice Larkan: Jazz singer who appeared as a contestant on season 15 of the reality show, The Voice.
- Tyler Larkan: Award-winning makeup artist whose work has been featured on numerous magazine covers and international campaigns.
- Jacob Larkan: Stand-up comedian who has toured extensively throughout the United States.
- David Larkan: British composer and multi-instrumentalist best known for his scores in popular films and television shows.
- Amy Larkan: Conservationist and advocate for the preservation of endangered wildlife who has made appearances on several National Geographic documentaries.
- Ava Larkan: Award-winning poet and writer who has contributed to publications such as The New Yorker and The Guardian.
- Abigail Larkan: Hollywood stuntwoman who has worked on blockbuster films such as Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol and the Hunger Games franchise.