Flanagan (surname)

Flanagan is a common Irish surname. It originates from the Gaelic name Ó Flannagáin, meaning "descendant of Flannagán." Flannagán is a diminutive of the personal name Flann, which means "reddish" or "ruddy." Therefore, the surname essentially means "descendant of the little red-haired one."

The Ó Flannagáin sept held lands primarily in County Roscommon, in the province of Connacht, Ireland. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Ireland and, through emigration, to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain.

Variant spellings of Flanagan include Flanigan, Flannagan, and Flannigan. These variations arose due to anglicization of the Gaelic name.

People with the surname Flanagan have achieved prominence in various fields, including sports, entertainment, politics, and academia.