The Noonan Family

Noonan family crest

(Crest No. 5. Plate 1.)

THE Noonan family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heber. The founder of the family was Cormac, King of Munster, A. D. 483. The ancient name was Nuinean, which signifies “Small Man.” The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Cork. The O’Noonans were Chiefs of Tullaleis and Castlelissen, now the parish of Tullilease, in the barony of Duhallow, in that county, in which they were hereditary wardens of St. Brendan’s Church.