Map of England showing where the Scanlan arms are recorded
The Scanlan arms were recorded in London, c. 1329.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in England when the Scanlan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Scanlan Family in England
The surname Scanlan originates from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Scannláin, which translates to descendant of Scannlán. The personal name Scannlán is derived from the word scannlach, meaning scandalous or defiant, suggesting that early ancestors were known for their bold or spirited personalities. While the family has deep roots in the Irish provinces of Munster and Connacht, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in London as early as 1329. This indicates that the family was mobile and involved in trade or professional life across the Irish Sea during the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the name evolved through various spellings as it moved between Gaelic-speaking regions and English-speaking urban centers, eventually settling into the common form used today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Scannlan
Derived from the Old Irish word for scandal or blemish.
This name
ScanlanA diminutive form implying a small, lively, or perhaps contentious individual.
also spelled
Swanlond
Swanlound
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
The National Archives, London. Court of Common Pleas, Plea Rolls, CP 40/277 (1329)
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swanGrace, light and the poet's art
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
