The name Lona has its origins tracing back to the ancient Celtic languages spoken in regions of modern-day Ireland and Scotland. It is derived from the Old Irish Gaelic word "lon", meaning "blackbird" or "elk". The spelling variation "Lona" emerged in the 8th century AD, becoming a popular name among the Gaelic-speaking communities of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lona can be found in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle detailing events in medieval Ireland. The entry for the year 730 AD mentions a chieftain named Lona mac Cathail, who ruled over a territory in present-day County Donegal.

In the 9th century, St. Lona of Lismore, a revered Irish monk and scholar, established a renowned monastery on the island of Lismore in Scotland. His life and works are chronicled in the Vita Sancti Lonae, an early medieval hagiography.

During the Middle Ages, the name Lona gained popularity among noble families in Scotland and Ireland. Notable historical figures include Lona MacDonald (c. 1400-1475), a Scottish noblewoman and heiress to the Lordship of the Isles, and Lona O'Neill (c. 1550-1620), a chieftain of the powerful O'Neill clan in Ulster.

In the 17th century, Lona Munro (1601-1668) was a Scottish religious writer and poet, known for her work "The Last Instructions to a Souldier". Her contemporaries included Lona MacLeod (1610-1672), a renowned herbalist and healer from the Isle of Skye.

Moving into the 19th century, Lona Porter (1822-1898) was an American abolitionist and women's rights activist, who worked closely with prominent figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

These examples illustrate the enduring legacy of the name Lona, which has been borne by notable individuals across various fields throughout history, from nobility and religious figures to writers and social reformers.