Surname Fallon - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Personal Heritage and Identity: A Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test and The Fallon Legacy

Taking an iGENEA DNA test opened a wider perspective of my personal identity and heritage, especially the meaning of my surname, Fallon. The test bridged the gap between my present understanding and the historical legacy carried by my name, completely transforming the way I perceive myself and my place in the world.

R. Fallon

Fallon: What does the surname Fallon mean?

The last name Fallon is an Irish surname of uncertain origin. It is theorized to be derived from the Gaelic "O’Fallamhain," which roughly translates to "conqueror of streams," or "valiant." This could refer to heroes in Irish mythology or legendary figures who had gained control of a particular river or stream. Another suggestion is that the name might have originally been "Fáillén," an Old Irish word meaning "wolf." It is possible that this could have been a nickname for someone known to be brave and bold.

The name Fallon is still widely used in Ireland and elsewhere, and the derivation of the name has been a popular topic for discussion and debate. Whether referring to a legendary personification of bravery, a nickname for a fierce individual, or simply a descriptor for someone whose family lives in or along a river or stream, there is something special about this name that continues to inspire curiosity.

Fallon: Where does the name Fallon come from?

The last name Fallon is most commonly found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In Ireland, the name Fallon is most popular in Counties Cavan and Fermanagh. In Cavan, the name Fallon is one of the top forty surnames representing more than 5 percent of the county's population. In Fermanagh, there are nearly twenty-six hundred people with the surname Fallon, making it thefourth most popular surname in the county.

In the United Kingdom, the last name Fallon was much more common in the 1800s than it is today. According to the 1881 census, more than one-third of people with the last name Fallon were living in Lancashire, with most of the remaining population residing in London, Yorkshire, andNorthumberland.

In the United States, the name Fallon is most popular in the state of New York, where it ranks at number 2,119 out of all surnames. According to a 2019 estimate, almost 8,100 people with the last name Fallon reside in the United States, with roughly sixty percent living in New York.

The name Fallon is still common in all those areas today, especially in Ireland and New York. The name remains a recognizable part of Irish, British, and American culture.

Variations of the surname Fallon

The origin of the surname Fallon can be traced back to an Irish and Scottish background.

The most common spelling of the surname is Fallon, but some variants also include Fallin, Fallun, Fallons, Fallens, Fallan, Falon, Fallone, Fallin, Fallone and Fallons.

The name of Fallon is most likely derived from the Irish Gaelic phrase "faoladh" which means a wolf or "faol-fuin" which means a grey wolf. In Scotland, it is derived from the Old Gaelic "fail", which means a part of a tribe or a chieftain. It is also believed to be derived from the Old French word “fealle”, which means "vassal" or "follower". In English, it is also derived from the Middle English or Old English word “fael” which means an animal or person.

In some cases, the surname Fallon is also spelled as Fellon, Fallaine, Fallay, Fallonne, Fallone or Fallin. It can also be a shortened form of O’Fallon, one of the Irish provincial surnames of the O’Connor family.

Surnames of similar pronunciation and spelling include Gallon, Faelan, Faolan or Folan.

No matter its variant or spelling, the name of Fallon is known to represent strength, power, intelligence and bravery. It is a name signifying a person of a great honour.

Famous people with the name Fallon

• Jimmy Fallon: American comedian, actor, and television host, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
• Nick Fallon: fictional character on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives
• June Fallon: English stage and television actress
• Siobhán Fallon: Actress and comedian best known for her television work in the US on Saturday Night Live and in the UK on Little Britain
• Vince Fallon: actor in the 1993 film Alaska
• Glenda Fallon: American former figure skater
• David Fallon: Scottish actor, known for his roles in Get it On and E-Street.
• Steve Fallon: actor in the Australian television series Home and Away
• Tim Fallon:American singer-songwriter and guitarist
• Steve Fallon: British composer, producer and sound engineer.

Other surnames

Fallows