OLeannachain

OLeannachain is a surname of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic O’Leannacháin, which means "descendant of Leannachán." The personal name Leannachán is derived from the word leann, meaning "cloak" or "mantle." Thus, the surname can be interpreted as "descendant of the cloaked one" or "descendant of the descendant of the mantle."

The O'Leannachain sept was historically associated with the province of Connacht, particularly in the region that is now County Sligo. Like many Irish surnames, the prefix "O'" indicates descent from a male ancestor. Over centuries, the surname has undergone various spellings and phonetic adaptations as it spread and was recorded by scribes and officials, often with differing levels of familiarity with Gaelic orthography.

The name is relatively uncommon, and individuals bearing the surname OLeannachain or its variations can be found today in Ireland and in diaspora communities worldwide, particularly in countries with significant Irish immigration such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Genealogical research often requires tracing back through historical records to identify the specific sept and geographical origins of the family.