The Scanlan Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

Scanlan family crest

(Crest No. 5. Plate 1.)

THE Scanlan family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of Ir, fifth son of that monarch. The founder of the family was Irial, son of Conal Kearnach, son of Amergin, the fourth in degree from Rory O’More who gave his name to the tribe in Ulster, B. C. 87. The ancient name was Scamhghlonn and signifies “The Joker.”

Scanlan family crest

(Crest No. 258. Plate 49.)

The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Armagh. Another branch of this name were chiefs in the County of Cork. This family was founded by Cormac, King of Munster, A. D. 483, and belonged to the Eoganacht Tribe, of the line of Heber. The O’Scanlans held possessions in the barony of Pubhlebrien, in the County of Limerick, and they were also a clan of note in Kerry. The MacScanlans were chiefs in ancient Oriel, the present County of Louth.

Many of this family were distinguished as ecclesiastics and writers and learned men from a very early period.

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