Hanway

Hanway is an English surname and a London street name. The name is most closely associated with Jonas Hanway (c. 1712–1786), an English merchant, traveler, and philanthropist who supported charitable initiatives in London and was a public figure in 18th-century civic life. He is often cited for promoting social welfare causes and is popularly linked with helping to popularize the umbrella in Britain, a quirk that contributed to his contemporary notoriety and public persona.

In London, Hanway Street in the Fitzrovia area is named in his honor, reflecting his prominence in the city during his lifetime. The surname appears in historical records connected to his activities and, as such, is most often encountered in reference to him and to the toponym that bears his name. The name itself is of English origin and remains in occasional use as a family name today.