Surname Inehan - Meaning and Origin
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Inehan: What does the surname Inehan mean?
The last name Inehan, also spelled as Inehon, is believed to have Irish origins. It is derived from the old Irish name O' hAonghusa, which means “descendant of Aonghus”. Traditionally, Aonghus is the Gaelic god of youth and love, and in Scottish mythology, he is known as the god of fertility.
It is thought that the Inehan surname was first brought to Ireland during the 12th century. During this time, Gaelic chiefs established large territories that came to be known as clans. This surname is most likely associated with the O’ Hehir clan.
In years passed, the Inehon's moved from Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom. Later, they migrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
In the United States, this surname can be most predominantly found in states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. It is also common in other countries around the world.
The Inehan surname carries a rich history, as it is steeped in Irish mythological and cultural history. It is not only a reflection of the ancient family history and origins of the Inehan surname holders, but also a representation of their strength and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisInehan: Where does the name Inehan come from?
The surname Inehan is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in Counties Cork and Kerry. The name is believed to be derived from the Irish geographical name of Inchina or Ineen. Inehan is an old Irish name and is quite rare today.
In modern times, the name Inehan has spread to other countries. It can be found as far as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, and Belgium.
In Ireland, Inehan is a well-known name in Dublin, Cork and Kerry. In Cork, the main concentrations are in and around the city of Cork, the County town of Midleton and the villages of Ballyhooly and Clonakilty. In Kerry the name is found mainly in the town of Killarney.
It is thought that the name originated with the Normans who outlawed the native Gaelic language and its system of patronyms, and introduced surnames based on place names and occupations. Inehan may have derived from an anglicised version of an Irish Gaelic name. It is possible that the name derived from the Old Irish name 'inigena' which means “grandson (of)” or from 'ineoinn', which means “granddaughter (of).”
The longest continuous use of any surname is that of the MacCarthy family of Cork, who trace their ancestry back to the 9th century. They have held the name of Inehan for nearly a thousand years.
Variations of the surname Inehan
The surname Inehan is an Irish name derived from Ó hEoin - "descendent of Eoin" which means "God is gracious". It is generally found in the south and west of Ireland and is most commonly spelled O’Heanain, O’Heany, O’Heenan, MacEoin, McEoin, Eoin, and Eoghan.
Spelling variations of the surname include: O’Heane, O’Heanain, O’Heanan, O’Heenan, O’Henehane, MacEoin, McEoin, Eoin, and Eoghan. Some variations of the name have also been changed to MacEion or McEion.
The O prefix is the Irish form of “grandson or male descendant of”, and is especially associated with Irish and Scottish surnames. In Ireland, O’ surname spellings were anglicized or simplified by English cartographers and writers in the 17th to 19th centuries, so variations of Irish and Scottish surnames are common and thus the variations of the surname Inehan.
When families with Inehan surname emigrated from Ireland during the 19th century, they often changed their name to approach the anglicised version. In some cases, families changed their name to MacEoin as they moved to different areas and countries in search of a better life.
Inehan is also found among the Irish diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In America, it is most commonly found in the form of O’Heaney, O’Heany, and MacEoin. In some cases, the surname Inehan has been Anglicized and shortened to Henchy, Hanan, or Henehan.
Inehan is also found among Irish Travellers. Travelers have a different tradition of naming than the settled population, often taking the name of a respected relative or friend as a surname. In those cases, families with Inehan as their surname may be related to each other but not share a common ancestor.
Overall, Inehan is an Irish surname with many spellings and surnames of the same origin, including O’Heany, O’Heenan,MacEoin, McEoin, Eoin, Eoghan, O’Heane, O’Heanain, O’Heanan, O’Henehane, MacEoin, McEoin, Henchy, Hanan, and Henehan.
Famous people with the name Inehan
- Dara Inehan: Irish actress who has starred in films such as The Young Offenders, Crossing the Line and Robert the Bruce.
- Tomer Inehan: Israeli actor and television presenter who was a co-presenter on the popular Israeli series Mabat Sheni.
- Kala Inehan: American musician who is a member of the indie rock band The Little Ships.
- Charlotte Inehan: Irish playwright, poet and actress who has written several plays for the Abbey Theatre and the Irish Repertory Theatre.
- Ailbhe Inehan: Irish author and journalist whose work has been published in the Irish Times, the Irish Examiner and elsewhere.
- Breeda Inehan: Irish singer and multi-instrumentalist who was a founding member of the creek-rock band, Fenne Lily.
- Fintan Inehan: Irish actor and theatre director who is best known for his performance in the film The Young Offenders.
- Tadhg Inehan: Irish actor who has appeared in films such as Game of Thrones, Into the Badlands and Love, Rosie.
- Oisín Inehan: Irish singer-songwriter who is known for his folk-influenced music.
- Karen Inehan: Irish actress who is best known for her role in RTÉ's Fair City.