__NOTOC__ "Lenihan" is an Irish surname. Variants include "Lenighan”, "Lenegan", “Lenahan”, and "Lennihan." People with the name include: A Roscommon family of this name, in Irish O Leanachain, appears in early records, the most notable of whom was Maelciaran O'Lenechan of Tuamna, in Boyle barony, a priest very highly praised in the "Annals of Loch Ce" and by the Four Masters for his numerous good qualities: he died in 1249. Little is heard of them in modern times. Kinehan or Lenihan as it is also spelt, is now regarded as belonging primarily to Counties Limerick and Tipperary. Maurice Lenihan (1811–1895), author of the History of Limerick, is the most notable bearer of the name. Lenihan, Lenehan, Lenahan, and Linehan are anglicized versions of the Irish Ó Leanachain, possibly from leanach, meaning "sorrowful". It appears to have arisen separately in two localities, in County Roscommon in the west, and in the south in the Limerick/Tipperary region. Bearers of the surname are found in both areas today, but it is most common in the south. Although born in Waterford, Maurice Lenihan (1811–1895) is closely associated with his adopted city of Limerick. A campaigning nationalist journalist, he was editor and proprietor of the Limerick Reporter for more than 40 years and is now best remembered as the author of Limerick: Its History and Antiquities (1860). The most prominent contemporaries of the name are Brian Lenihan (1924–1992) and his younger sister Mrs. Mary O'Rourke, of the Roscommon family, who both served in a variety of ministerial positions in the Irish government from the 1970s through to the 1990s. Lenaghan Quite numerous: Down etc. See Lenihan. Leneghan rare: Mayo, Down. See Lenihan. Lenehan numerous: Midlands, Mayo-Sligo etc. See Lenihan. Lenihan numerous: all areas except Ulster, mainly Kerry-Clare-W Limerick-Cork. The Irish is (1) Ó Leannacháin (2) Ó Luingeacháin. The former relates to a Roscommon sept; the latter to Munster and comes, according to Woulfe, from earlier Mac Longacháin where longach may be gluttonous, avid. Note the variants. IF & SGG. Ó Leannacháin Lenihan: líon beag: Connachta & Lár na Tíre. Clann ó Ros Comáin go bhfuil athleagain Ó Léanacháin & Ó Lionacháin orthu. Féach Ó Loingeacháin & Ó Longacháin, leis. Féach Mac Leannacháin thuas

Athletes

Donal Lenihan Donal Gerard Lenihan (born 12 September 1959) is a retired Irish rugby union player. He appears regularly as a co-commentator on TV and radio for rugby matches and writes for the Irish Examiner. He also works as a financial consultant in Cork. ...

(born 1959), a retired Irish rugby union player *

John Lenihan John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, Irish 1991 World Champion in Mountain Running (in Switzerland) *

Karl Lenihan Karl Lenihan is a former Gaelic footballer from County Laois. Playing career He played on the Laois senior football during the 1970s and 1980s, primarily in midfield. During that period he was widely regarded as one of the top players in the c ...

, former Gaelic football player * Darragh Lenihan, Irish professional football player

People in the arts

Edmund Lenihan Edmund Lenihan (born 1950), also known as Eddie Lenihan, is an Irish author, storyteller, lecturer and broadcaster. He is one of the few practising '' seanchaithe'' (traditional Irish lore-keepers and tale-spinners) remaining in Ireland. He has ...

(born 1950), an Irish author *

Winifred Lenihan Winifred Lenihan (December 6, 1898 – July 27, 1964) was an American actress, writer, and director. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before making her debut in 1918. Although she portrayed the would-be eloper Anne in ''The D ...

(1898–1964), an American actress, writer and director *

Graham Linehan Graham Linehan () (born 22 May 1968) is an Irish television writer and anti-transgender activist. He created or co-created the sitcoms ''Father Ted'' (1995–1998), ''Black Books'' (2000–2004) and '' The IT Crowd'' (2006–2013). He has also ...

(born 1968), Irish writer and director (Father Ted)

Politicians

* Brian Lenihan Snr (1930–1995), an Irish Fianna Fáil politician *

Brian Lenihan Jnr Brian Joseph Lenihan (21 May 1959 – 10 June 2011) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Finance from 2008 to 2011, Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil from March 2011 to June 2011, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law ...

(1959–2011), an Irish Fianna Fáil politician * Conor Lenihan (born 1963), an Irish Fianna Fáil politician * J. Michael Lenihan (1943–2015), Rhode Island

state senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 U ...

Mary O'Rourke Mary O'Rourke (; born 31 May 1937) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Leader of the Seanad and Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad from 2002 to 2007, Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2002, Minister for Public ...

(née Lenihan; born 1937), an Irish Fianna Fáil politician *

Patrick Lenihan Patrick James Lenihan (4 September 1902 – 11 March 1970) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Longford–Westmeath constituency from 1965 to 1970. He held the distinction of being the only parent t ...

(1902–1970), a Fianna Fáil politician

Officers

* Michael Joseph Lenihan (1865-1958), a US-army general in World War I

Scientists

* J. M. A. Lenihan

FRSE Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and letters, judged to be "eminently distinguished in their subject". This soci ...

(1918-1993) British clinical physicist

Religious leaders

George Michael Lenihan Rt. Rev. George Michael Lenihan OSB (11 September 1858 – 10 February 1910) was fifth Catholic Bishop of Auckland (1896–1910). Early life Lenihan was born in 1858 in London to Irish parents who died while he was a child. Aged 14, he entered the ...

OSB (1858–1910, fifth Catholic Bishop of Auckland (1896–1910) *

Thomas Mathias Lenihan Thomas Mathias Lenihan (August 12, 1844 – December 15, 1901) was an Irish-born American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne in Wyoming from 1896 until his death in 1901. He was the brother of Bishop ...