Surname Lefanu - Meaning and Origin

Lefanu: What does the surname Lefanu mean?

The last name Lefanu is an Irish surname originating within the island of Ireland. It is thought to be derived from the O'Lachtnain family, which is an ancient Gaelic clan of the Uí Dhálaighe. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word 'lefann' which means 'flood' or 'stream'.

The O'Lachtnain family are thought to have originated from the province of Meath in the middle ages. They were associated with the kings of Leinster and were noted as one of the most powerful clans in the country. In the 12th century, they were given huge swaths of land, including some of the most valuable regions in Ireland, in exchange for their allegiance to their kings.

The O'Lachtnain family slowly began to lose their lands throughout the 16th and 17th century. As a result, many families changed their surnames to Lefanu in order to avoid persecution and to distinguish themselves from their former overlords. Over time, the name Lefanu spread throughout Ireland and eventually to other countries around the world.

Today, the surname Lefanu is still commonly found in Ireland and across the world. It may represent a former noble lineage, but it also serves as a reminder of a troubled history in which many families were forced to bear a new name in order to remain free.

Lefanu: Where does the name Lefanu come from?

The surname Lefanu is most commonly found today in Ireland. It is an old Irish melodic surname derived from the Irish Gaelic surname O'Laidheamhain. It is's believed that the surname may have come from an individual's root location near the River Liffey in the heart of Dublin. In the past, this area was known as Leabhan, which has evolved over time to sound like Lefanu.

In modern times, the surname is found in the various Irish counties of Connacht, Mayo, and Sligo along with parts of the United Kingdom. It is believed that many of those who share this surname originate from the old Gaelic kingdom of Tir Conaill, which was ruled by the Ua Niall dynasty.

Other possible origins of the name include a reference to the Irish word 'leamhain', which means 'full of elm' or 'elm tree'. This indicates that an ancestor may have had some affiliation with the tree in the past. The surname is also known to be shared by numerous Catholic clergy members in Ireland as well.

Today, Lefanu is still primarily found in Ireland. In recent years, the surname has started to spread to various countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It is predicted that the surname's presence will continue to spread over the coming years.

Variations of the surname Lefanu

The surname Lefanu is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname “Ó Leathlobhair” or “Ó Laighléine”, which translates to “Descendant of Leathlobhar” or “Descendant of Laighléine” respectively.

The most common variant of the surname Lefanu is Lefane. Other variants include Fane, La Fane, LaFane, Feenan, le Feenan, Fayn, and Feinan.

Surnames of similar origin to Lefanu include Lavin, Fay, le Fee, Feehan, la Fehily, Ffay, Leffin, Lavery, Feely, Fegan, Fagan,and Lefevre.

The Lefanu name has an interesting surname history. It is believed to have been first used by the people of pre-Norman Ireland, when the name was Ó Laighléine. It later evolved to its modern form due to various spellings when written in English. It is mainly found in counties Galway, Dublin, and Kildare.

The Lefanu family was well-known during the 16th century, having a large presence in Irish society and being merchants of distinction. Today, the Lefanu surname is still found throughout Ireland and is considered to be a fairly common surname there. It is also found in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reflecting the history of the Irish diaspora around the world.

Famous people with the name Lefanu

• Sheridan LeFanu: Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery fiction
• Marcus LeFanu: British composer
• Diana LeFanu: Irish television and radio producer
• Mary LeFanu: English writer
• Alex LeFanu: British author
• Aly LeFanu: British television producer
• Charlotte LeFanu: British television executive
• Henry LeFanu: English composer
• Charles J LeFanu: Australian botanical artist
• Anne LeFanu: British writer and historian
• Molly LeFanu: British playwright
• Sebastian LeFanu: British television director
• Catherine LeFanu: Irish artist
• Sue LeFanu: British writer and journalist
• Richard LeFanu: British writer, editor and producer
• Sean Patrick LeFanu: Irish composer

Other surnames

Lefand