7,271 Global FANNIN Family Members

FANNIN Family History

This interesting name of Medieval Irish origin is a modern variant, along with Fenning and Fauning of the name O'Finan, the Anglicization of the Gaelic 'O'Fionnain', the 'O' denoting 'descendent of', with the root word 'Fionn', meaning fair. However, Fanning is also a name introduced into Southern Ireland by the Normans, and is thought to have derived from the personal name Panin, and prominent in County Limerick, where Fanningstown indicates the location, although the family were originally from Ballingarry in County Tipperary. The O'Finans were of the Ui Fiachrach Muaighe group and chiefs of Coolcarney in County Mayo. St. Finan (died 661) is the earliest name bearer on record, Dominick Fanning was a mayor of Limerick who distinguished himself at the Siege of that city in 1651...