Hanlon

Hanlon is a surname of Irish origin. It is commonly treated as a variant of O’Hanlon, linked to Gaelic family names in Ireland. The name is found among the Irish diaspora and has become established in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Early bearers are recorded in several Irish counties, reflecting the broader emigration and settlement patterns that spread Gaelic surnames worldwide.

Hanlon's razor is a widely cited principle in philosophy, critical thinking, and everyday judgment. It states: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity or simple error. The maxim is attributed to Robert J. Hanlon, who is believed to have proposed it in the 1980s, and it has since circulated in print and online as a concise caution against assuming ill intent without evidence.

Beyond the razor, Hanlon persists as a family name found in multiple English-speaking societies, associated with individuals across fields such as sports, academia, and the arts. The name's enduring presence in public life reflects its roots and the mobility of Irish-origin surnames across the modern world.