Show ContentsDonellan Surname History

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  • Ireland
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Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Etymology of Donellan

What does the name Donellan mean?

Many variations of the name Donellan have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Ó Domhnallain, derived from the personal name of Domhallan, Lord of Clan Breasail, from whom the sept claims descent. 1

Early Origins of the Donellan family

The surname Donellan was first found in Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Donellan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donellan research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1609, 1616, 1640, 1649, 1660, 1665 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Donellan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donellan Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Donellan revealed many variations, including Donellan, Donnellan, Donnelan, Donelan, Donnellin, Donellin and many more.

Early Notables of the Donellan family

  • Reverend Nehemiah Donellan (d. 1609), Archbishop of Tuam, who translated the New Testament into Irish. His name is written in Irish Fearganinm O'Domhnallain, and he was born in the county of Galway, a...
  • His first son was Nehemiah Donnellan (1649-1705), was an Irish lawyer and judge and his second son, Edmund Donellan, was an Irish Anglican clergyman, Archdeacon of Cashel (1616-1640.)

Donellan migration to Australia +

Donellan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Christopher Donellan, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
  • Mary Donellan, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emerald Isle" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Donellan (post 1700) +

  • Captain John Donellan (d. 1781), known as Diamond Donellan because of a large diamond he had brought back from India, was tried, condemned and executed on 2 April 1781 for the poisoning death of Sir Theodosius Boughton, 7th Baronet; he was condemned by circumstantial evidence and protested his innocence until his death
  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
  3. South Australian Register Tuesday 17th January 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Emerald Isle 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/emeraldisle1854.shtml

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