Nunn is an old name of more than one root that became part of Irish family life.
Where does the Nunn name come from?
Nunn has more than one origin. As an English name it began as a nickname, from the Middle English nunne, “nun” — perhaps for someone of demure or devout character, or one connected with a religious house. In Ireland it may also stand in for a Gaelic name such as Ó Nuanáin by similarity of sound. The two strands meet under the single spelling Nunn.
Nunn in Ireland
The name became established among settler families, particularly in the south-east, including County Wexford, where Nunn families were long part of the local gentry and farming community. As a settled name, Nunn is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Newman, Nash, and Barry.
Carry the Nunn name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Nunn collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nunn an Irish surname?
Nunn is of English origin and became a settled name in Ireland, especially in the south-east, in County Wexford.
What does Nunn mean?
It began as a nickname from the word for “nun,” perhaps for a devout character; in Ireland it sometimes rendered a Gaelic name by sound.
Is there a Nunn family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Nunn products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
