For other uses, see Lynam (disambiguation)

Lynam (disambiguation)

Lynam may refer to:*Lynam, an Irish surname*Lynam , a rock band from Birmingham, Alabama*Des Lynam, an Irish sports broadcaster*Jim Lynam, a professional basketball coach*James Lynam Molloy, an Irish author...

.
Lynam, also spelled Lynham, is the Anglicised

Anglicisation

Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...

 form of the Modern Irish

Irish language

Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...

 surname, Ó Laigheanáin (originally Ó Laidhghneáin in earlier forms of Irish) which can be roughly translated as someone of Laighean / Laidhghn (Leinster

Leinster

Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...

) descent. It is thought to have its roots in Contae Uíbh Fhailí (County Offaly), a county in the heart of Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 and the west of Cúige Laighean, the province of Leinster.

It is unclear whether Ó Laigheanáin was once a clann (extended family) or túath

Tuath

Túath is an Old Irish word, often translated as "people" or "nation". It is cognate with the Welsh and Breton tud , and with the Germanic þeudō ....

(larger community or nation). However, due to the seemingly important meaning of the name, this is possible. There are eight references to the Ó Laigheanáin in the Annals of the Four Masters

Annals of the Four Masters

The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...

, all prior to 1100 AD

Anno Domini

and Before Christ are designations used to label or number years used with the Julian and Gregorian calendars....

.

The surname is related to names such as Leaneagh, Laighneach, Lynagh, etc.