The surname Flanagan and its variants, which include O’Flanagan, Flanigan, Flannigan, and the less common Flenigen, number among the most popular in Ireland. All derive from the surname’s original Irish form, O’Flannagain, likely stemming from the Irish word flann, meaning “reddish” or “ruddy.”
The O’Flannagain clan originated in Connacht, from the same line as the royal O’Connor family, and held hereditary claim to the post of steward to the Kings of Connacht. The O’Flannagains dwelled mainly near Elphin, Co. Roscommon, though others with the name lived in Offaly and northwest Fermanagh. Today the surname is most often found in counties Roscommon, Clare, Galway and Mayo.
The Flanagan coat of arms features an oak tree and an armor-clad hand holding a flaming sword. The oak symbolizes strength and stability, while the full green border – fairly uncommon – is a sign of honorable or military appointment. The raised arm and sword represent loyalty, readiness and honor. Appropriately, the motto is certavi et vici, “I have fought and conquered.”
Over the centuries, Flanagans have excelled in a variety of fields, in Ireland and abroad. In Ireland, early Flanagans of note included Donough O’Flanagan (d. 1308), Bishop of Elphin; James Roderick Flanagan (1814–1900), a prolific scholar of Irish life; and Theophilus O’Flanagan (1760–1818), who was active in the early Gaelic revival movement.
Among the most famous Flanagans is Irish actress Fionnula Flanagan (b. 1941), who was inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame on July 4. A star of film, television and theater, Flanagan was born and raised in Dublin and studied acting at the Abbey Theatre. In 1968 she made her Broadway debut in Brian Friel’s Lovers. In film, Flanagan can be seen in such gems as Some Mother’s Son, The Others and The Guard. She is a familiar face in many American TV shows and series, including Lost, Brotherhood, and Rich Man, Poor Man (for which she won an Emmy).
Fellow Flanagans have made a name for themselves in acting. Pauline Flanagan (1925–2003), an Irish-born actress, had a long stage career in New York and London. She won an Olivier Award in 2001 and held a recurring role on the Irish-American soap opera Ryan’s Hope. Crista Flanagan (b. 1976), a comedic actress, was a cast member of MADtv from 2005–2009. She most recently appeared in Mad Men as nice but inept secretary Lois Sadler. Tommy Flanagan (b. 1965) is a Scottish actor best known for his work as villains in a number of action flicks and TV shows including Sin City and Smokin’ Aces. He is currently a cast member on the TV series Sons of Anarchy.
Another Irish Flanagan who made a lasting impact on America is Father Edward J. Flanagan (1886–1948), the Roscommon native who established the famous Boys Town orphanage in Nebraska. Founded upon Fr. Flanagan’s belief that kindness, hard work and a supportive home environment could work wonders in a child’s life, the home eventually expanded into a much larger complex, which is today home to boys, girls and families in need of help. Fr. Flanagan was recently named a Servant of God, which sets him on the path to canonization.
Most Americans carry the legacy of Irish-American sculptor John Flanagan (1865–1952) in their wallets and pockets. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Flanagan apprenticed with a number of prominent sculptors, including Irish-born Augustus St. Gaudens. In addition to the Rotunda Clock sculpture (1896) in the Library of Congress, his most enduring legacy is the Washington U.S. Quarter, which he completed in 1932. His initials, J.F., can be found under George Washington’s profile on the obverse side of the coin.
John Flanagan (1873–1938) was a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the hammer throw, who represented the U.S. at the 1900, 1904 and 1908 Olympics. Born in Limerick, he immigrated in 1896, already holding the hammer throw world record. He joined the Irish-American Athletic Club of Celtic Park, New York, and worked with the New York City Police. At the 1908 London Olympics, Flanagan beat his own world record with a distance of 170 feet, 4.5 inches.
Irish-American distance runner Shalane Flanagan (b. 1981) is headed to the 2012 London Olympics, where she will represent Team U.S.A in the marathon. Born in Colorado and raised in Massachusetts, Flanagan attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she won consecutive national cross country titles before turning professional in 2004. She took home the bronze in the Women’s 10,000 meter race at the 2008 Olympics, and finished second in the 2010 NYC Marathon. At the 2012 U.S. Olympics Trials Marathon in Texas, Flanagan won with a time of 2:25:38, setting a new event record.
The Flanagan Brothers ? Famous Irish Band from Albany NY !! and your antispam software is silly!!!
I have irish features which I got from my grandfather but does anyone know which Flanagan anscestor traveled to america first
My father was named John Joseph Flanagan, and I was also named John Joseph Flanagan. I was born in 1945. My father was Irish American, second generation, and my mother was German American, also second generation. I like my last name….but for crying out loud….there are so many of us John Joseph Flanagan’s around. At one point there were 55 John Flanagan’s in the phone directory in Suffolk County, Long Island, where I grew up. Couldn’t my Irish forbears think of more diversified first names for some of us male Flanagan’s? I suppose if I were a South Korean named Kim Park, I could complain about too many Park’s in the phone book as well.
Hi there did any of your flanagans go across to southport in the UK?
Did you have any flanagans go accross to southport?
My great grandfather, David Flanagan, lived in Wigan.
Well I’ve been trying to fine my Irish roots also, I’m African American and my Great grandfather name was Willard Flanagan, but his family stripped the name Flanagan from him because he married a African American woman so he became a butler and i just want to know where I come from. Oh and I’m from Virginia
Many of our Flanagans were from the ohio area, West Virginia. Had an Uncle Willard. But he came from a very poor family of 12. My Dad’s DNA is on ancestry, whom was Willards brother. Edward A Flanagan
Well my name is Sherrie Flangan and Im also African American but my entire family is full of Flanagan Irish decent here in Maryland, Virginia, & North Carolina.
Super interesting. There are so many black Americans with Irish surnames. There were very very few Irish slave owners because they were dirt poor. So, very little came from that source. Supposedly Irish and African Americans marrying was not uncommon. To what degree, hard to say.
My grandfather was also John Joseph Flanagan, youngest of three boys, Thomas Patrick (after his father) and James. Their mother was Julia Kelly. They grew up in Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. Their children, for the most part moved to Ling Island after WWII but my grandfather was ahead of his time and moved to Rockville Centre, LI, in 1927, where he raised 5 kids. All but one married people from that village and all settled there. They had 25 grandchildren all of whom knew each other as well as any siblings. I am one of them and, although we are all married and spread all over, our bonds are still tight and it seems like the same is becoming true for our children!
Hello Gerard, Nice to hear from you.
I’m your cousin James Patrick Flanagan
I hope you and your family are doing well!
I live in Suffolk County NY also, My uncle was John J. Flanagan (Commack) , my dad was Thomas Flanagan. Grandfather was Wiliam Flanagan. Apparently first known in my family was Michael in 1839 to emigrate.
Are all Flanagan’s related?
I am named Mary Flanagan – from around Castleblayney co Monaghan . It is my belief that a number of Flanagan males emigrated from here
I’m Patricia Flanagan, from Dublin my father was born in Castleblayney, he was Patrick and so was his father.
My great great grandfather was Mathias Flanagan & he immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Indiana.
But his son Joseph Edward Flanagan ended up in Illinois and had 10 kids! He also won the Worlds Fair in Art and became a County Commissioner for the City of Chicago! He opened a stained glass window company called Flanagan & Biedwig in Chicago & is in Chicago history books! A bridge has his name on it and his stained glass scene of the nativity can be seen in the St Vincent DePaul University library rotunda in Chicago!
Don’t know how to add this to the original post, but he should be mentioned b/c of his Worlds Fair Win in Art for his stained glass. Many churches have his windows in them, he often put a rose somewhere in his creations~
Pattianne Flanagan USA
Rosecommon
Northern Ireland.
My DNA says I came from the lowlands of Scotland – doing my research, found out many ppl came from the Scottish lowlands over to Northern Ireland b/c the king of England gave them land in Northern Ireland to farm but they had to pay taxes to the king of England, never wear their family tartans and never speak Gaelic again! Many took up the offer and were re-located to Northern Ireland, which is where I thought my roots ended!
Anybody else see their DNA roots in the Scottish lowlands 1st? Would like to connect!
I am a Flanagan, like me Da before me. Me ma’s people hail from Cork in the south, far away from the Flanagan clan from Connacht in the north. Me da, after splitting with me Ma, he married a lass named O’Connor. Does this mean he married his cousin? I think it’s kinda funny as me half siblings are all a little goofy. Goofy little bastards, they are. Sláinte
My cousins are also Oconnors !
Flanagans were stewards of Connacht ! Anybody else’s come up with Roscommon origins?
And the lowlands of Scotland prior to Northern Ireland like mine did?
Let’s talk Flan the Man
I am 27 years of age of my mother Stephanie Flanagan age 40, her mother is Anne R Shaw Flannagan age 58 I still want to know where I came from, since I was adopted
I would like to know my family history
Hello Fellow Flanigans… I don’t know too many with the Flanigan surname but I would like to get to know more. I am 35 years old currently living in middle tennessee. Does anyone know when the Flanigan family came to america?
My ancestor, Thomas Flanagin, arrived in 1710.
Wow! From where? My DNA says the OFlannigaens were Scottish & immigrated to Northern Ireland b/c the king of England offered them farmland to work but they had to pay taxes to the king of England, never wear family tartans again and never speak Gaelic again! Most had no choice but to immigrate to Northern Ireland ~
I have a family picture of William flanagan and his brothers George jack and Frank, country cork ireland but came to cheshire uk not sure if they all came across or just william, they were sons of Thomas Flanagan and my dad was Michael of staffs
Hello, My name is Elgin Flanegien, I am from Aruba Caribbean. My family has been here for over 300 years and I started researching my ancestors when I was twenty. I learned that Oliver Cromwell send Irishmen by the masses to the Caribbean. And that Irish surnames are usually changed for political reasons.
Hey guys. My name is Dan Flanagan. Im from massachuetts, USA. 7/8 of my great grandparents are from ireland, one is from scotland. Its definitly is weird how many flanagans here have the same first name
Hey Dan, I had to do a double take to make sure you weren’t my brother lol. Same name. But my mom’s family aren’t of Irish origin.
God bless yah.
Oh, forgot to mention I’m from Massachusetts as well. Worcester.
We need to talk. My DNA says I’m from the lowlands of Scotland before Northern Ireland! Then I did some homework & it said many of the Scot’s were offered land to farm in Northern Ireland but had to pay taxes to the king of England, never wear family tartans again nor speak Gaelic They had to learn the Kings English ! So I saw you said Scotland in your DNA too ! Let’s connect
My grandfather was a Flanagin. We have a unique spelling from most others, back several generations. We also wish to know when and why the first Flanagin’s came to America. We do not see any spelling changes for several generations
I am 3rd generation Irish decent here in the US. I’ve done fairly extensive research into Flanagan lineage from County Mayo that have a David Flanagan. Naming traditions and Y-DNA testing allowed me to trace a few branches of my tree.
I would encourage the men here to test for Y-DNA. The more allele you test the clearer your paternal line will be.
It helped me tremendously. As for the spelling of the name, most were illiterate. Entering America an Irishman saying the Flanagan to an Italian writing it down could well have sounded like Flenniken, which is also a DNA match. Feel free to email me, I’m always interested in Flanagan history
How do I get your email?
Mine is Destinagent@cox.net
I read the same thing, most ppl did not read or write so they didn’t know HOW to spell their names!
My name is Derek Flanagan and I just want to find out more about Irish roots
do you know danny flanagan in GA
I was born in Aruba , Dutch West Undies. My paternal grandmother was named Felicia Flanegin, who married my grandfather, Antonio Boekhout. Any information on the Flanegin family in Aruba would be appreciated. Thank you
Milton Boekhout
My great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather, was Thomas Flanagin, who arrived in Philadelphia from Ireland in about 1710 as a stow-away at the age of 13 or so.
There is a Linnie Flanagan buried in Martinsville, Virginia in the late 1700s.
My name is Francis Michael Flanagan IV.
Originally from Massachusetts, it’s interesting to see , and read about our ancestry. I don’t know anything about any family members , before my father.
It is interesting to read about so many Flanagan out there. My name is spelled Flannagan on my certificate but all the members of my family spell it Flanagin. I’m thinking someone forgot to proof read lol. No one in my family ever noticed it or said anything about it.
My name is Pamela Jean Flannagan (Flanagin)
My younger brother was Wilburn Leslie Flanagin
My father was Clavis Wilburn Flanagin (nick name was Red – his hair was dark brown but his beard was red. He had a lovable conning nature, and fought fiercely when it came to his family especially the girls. He was not one to be crossed. Though if you were a just and honorable person there was no one better to have on your side. He was quite the jokester and story teller as well. I miss my father.)
My grandfather was Robert Leslie Flanagin
We lived in MS where we were farmers. My father was the overseer of the land we lived on.
My name is Ken Flanagan, same name as my dad. He had three brothers;Ray, Gene and Bill all from Suffolk County Long Island, New York. As far as I can tell we are 7 generations in USA. Been to Ireland 3 times – loved it!
Hello, my name is Allan Flanagan and I’m interested in my family’s past.
Any Flanagan with ancestry from Offaly , Ireland
I recently hired a gentleman in Ireland to do some research on my Irish (and English) ancestors. We found records that my great, great grandfather (Patrick Thomas Flanagan) came to the US in 1868, arriving in New York along with his wife (Margaret Sharkey) and two children, including my great grandfather (Thomas Patrick Flanagan). They were from in Roscommon Ireland. and settled in the Baltimore, MD area. Patrick and Margaret had six children (Mary, Thomas P., Margaret (who, I believe, was the first of my Flanagan ancestors born in the US), Winifred, Kate, and Alice.) Thomas Patrick Flanagan married Mary Jane Kelly and they had 13 children (John Walter, Mary Catherine, Bertha, Margaret (my grandmother), Helen, Thomas Aloysiuos, Katherine, Catherine, Anne Elizabeth, Winifred, George, and Dorothy).
My Great Grandmother was named Sarah Jane Flannigan, her grandparents James and Katherine Flannigan immigrated to New Brunswick Canada where her father Francis Flannigan was born. I recently found out about them as my Great Grandparents divorced in the late 1890s and my Grandfather was raised by his father and stepmother. I never met Sarah Jane as she passed away a year before I was born. I visited Francis’ grave this fall and I felt instantly close to them. I am extremely proud of my Irish heritage.
Another surname to add to the list: Flanakin ????
Visit the Callaway Family Association website for information reguarding Irish immigration to the USA.
I am Melissa Flannigan, born in 1979 in Ft Oglethorpe GA. But my grandfather is from Illinois! I am so curious to know more about where my roots are!