O'Hanlon Coat of Arms, Family Crest and O'Hanlon Family History

O'Hanlon Family History

The family history of the ancient name O'Hanlon was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. O'Hanlon is a name which is always associated with County Armagh In Ireland. The sept was located in the baronies of Oneilland and Orior. For centuries their chiefs were known as lords of Orior. The O'Hanlons were not without experience of war against the invader. In 1493, for example the celebrated Poynings led an expedition against the most important chiefs of east Ulster, Mc Gennis and O'Hanlon. In 1537 Sir Oghie O'Hanlon, then Chief of the Sept, fell in with their policy of 'surrender and ragrant'. On several occasions, indeed, their chiefs adopted a policy of conciliation, and this saved them from complete ruin at the time of the Planatation of Ulster. In modern times O'Hanlons are most often found in County Cork. The O'Hanlon family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including O'Hanlon descendants.