Flannigan

Meaning: (The Gaelic name was derived from the word "flann," which means red or ruddy. The chief septs (clans) were found in the counties of Roscommon, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Offaly. In Connacht, they were a part of the royal O Connors and were located near Elphin, in Co. Roscommon. They were hereditary stewards to the Kings of Connacht.

The clan's motto is commonly reported to be the Latin phrase Certavi et Vici, meaning "I have fought and conquered"; this motto is also shared by the Byrne clan.

There is another motto, Latin, that is attributed to Ó Flannagáin Clan, Sept of Kelly being Fortuna audaces iuvat (juvat) or Fortune Favours the Bold.

This surname with variant spellings Flannagan, Flanaghan, Falnagan, etc., is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O' Flannagain, the prefix "O" meaning "descendant of" plus the personal name "Flannagan", a diminutive of the Gaelic element "flann" meaning "red(dish), ruddy". The main sept of the surname is found in Connacht, and Flannigan is numbered among the hundred most widespread surnames in Ireland, taking sixty-ninth place on that list. They sprang from one Flanagan who was of the same stock as the Royal O' Connors, and his line held the hereditary post of steward to the Kings of Connacht. The surname dates back to the early 14th Century (see below). Church Records include Robert, son of Richard and Margaret Flannigan who was christened on December 3rd 1797 at Dromore Parish, Co. Down, and Margaret Flannigan who married William Allen on October 23rd 1798 in St. Giles Cripplegate, London. Notable Irishmen of the name include Roderick Flanagan (1828-1861), founder of the "Sydney Chronicle", and Thomas Flanagan (1814-1865), author of the "History of the Church in England". David Flannigan, together with his wife Jane and daughter Elizabeth, were famine emigrants, who sailed from Liverpool aboard the Stephen-Whitney bound for New York on April 6th 1846. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Donough O' Flanagan, Bishop of Elphin, which was dated 1308, Medieval Records of Ireland, during the reign of King Edward 11, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307-1327. 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.)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, Irish Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (FLAN-uh-gen)

Gender: Male

As promised here is the name Flannigan! I had put under the Garrison *see on list of posts* and Donovan *see on list of posts* posts that someone had pointed out that these would be great as sibling names and I am now getting to adding Flannigan. I do love this clan’s family’s mottos as I am a fan of old Latin family mottos. I particularly like the motto, Fortuna Audaces Iuvat (Juvat) or Fortune Favours the Bold. This being such a popular surname particularly in Ireland and it having such a long history of use it would be really cool if used by an author as the first name of a character in honor of that characters past heritage and ancestors. It also could be used on a character if they have red hair or a red or ruddy complexion upon birth. I really love this name and would love to use it in the future if the right character comes along.

I’m going to throw another similar name in the mix for possible sibling names to go with Donovan, Garrison, and Flannigan and that name is Sullivan *see on list of posts*. I think with most all being primarily last names or a surname that if used as sibling first names in honor of their heritage that would be way cool. And mix it with a common Irish last name that would be even cooler, I may do something similar in the future.