Houlihan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Houlihan name:

Houlihan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Tade Houlihan, who landed in New York in 1850 3

Houlihan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Bagh Houlihan, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Limerick, in 1900
• Bridget Houlihan, aged 21, who immigrated to America from Ballyconry, in 1906
• Ann Houlihan, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States from Knock, Ireland, in 1908
• Debbie Houlihan, aged 24, who landed in America from Cahenaveen, Ireland, in 1909
• Annie Houlihan, aged 17, who settled in America from Kilrush, Ireland, in 1910
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Houlihan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John Houlihan, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
• Mary Houlihan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1838
• Miss. Bridget Houlihan, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Manchester" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle In August 1847 4
• Mr. John Houlihan, aged 1 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Manchester" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle In July 1847 4

Houlihan Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• Bride Houlihan, aged 23, who emigrated to Argentia, Newfoundland, in 1924
• Edward Houlihan, aged 13, who immigrated to Argentia, Newfoundland, in 1924

Houlihan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Maurice Houlihan, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
• Mr. Robert Houlihan, (b. 1811), aged 33, Irish plasterer who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for life for murder, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 9th April 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mary Houlihan, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Hyderabad" 7
• Bridget Houlihan, aged 18, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "William Stevenson" 8
• Martin Houlihan, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Nashwauk" 9

Houlihan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Robert Houlihan, (b. 1817), aged 42, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 10
• Mrs. Mary Houlihan, (b. 1819), aged 40, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 10
• Miss Mary Houlihan, (b. 1840), aged 19, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 10
• Miss Margaret Houlihan, (b. 1843), aged 16, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 10
• Mr. Robert Francis Houlihan, (b. 1854), aged 5, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 10
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• John C. Houlihan (1910-1986), American politician, 40th Mayor of Oakland, California
• Carolyn Houlihan, American actress
• Christopher Houlihan (b. 1987), American concert organist
• Joan Houlihan, American poet
• Maureen Houlihan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1972 11
• John J. Houlihan, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Missouri 12th District, 1942 11
• John Charles Houlihan, American politician, Mayor of Oakland, California, 1961-66; Resigned 1966 11
• James M. Houlihan, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Illinois State House of Representatives; Cook County Assessor, 1997-; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 2004 11
• James F. Houlihan, American politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 32nd District, 1938 11
• James Houlihan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1972 11
• ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)