Scanlan Surname Meaning & Coat of Arms

Spelled Scanlan, the surname still points back to Scanlon. Name scholars give the meaning as “Descendant of Scannlán”.

• Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists.
• Scanlan is listed among the recognised spellings of Scanlon.
• You may also find the name written Scanian, Scallan and O'Scanlon.
• Scanlan ranked 6,068 in the 2010 US Census, with 5,654 people answering to the name. That puts it among the top 10,000 US surnames.

Arms associated with the name

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Scanlon surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon. Want more than a summary? See the Scanlan family name pack.