conlan

Conlan is a surname of Irish origin, commonly Anglicized from the Gaelic Ó Conláin, which denotes descent from an ancestor named Conláin. The name is linked to Gaelic naming practices in which the prefix Ó indicated lineage. A related given-name form, Conlán or Conláin, appears in historical Gaelic usage, and the surname Conlan is widely assumed to have derived from those lineages.

In contemporary use, Conlan is predominantly found as a surname. It is occasionally encountered as a given name in modern contexts, though far less common in that role. The name is associated with Irish heritage and is most frequently found among Irish communities and in countries with large Irish diasporas, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Variants and related names commonly seen alongside Conlan include Conlon, Connellan, and O’Conláin. Differences in spelling often reflect regional linguistic influences or historical records. Pronunciation tends to follow English spelling, with regional variations in emphasis or vowel sound.

Notable bearers of the surname span various fields, including sports, arts, and public life, reflecting the broad dispersion of Irish surnames across the English-speaking world. Conlan remains recognizable as a surname rooted in Irish genealogical tradition, while its occasional use as a given name is comparatively rare.