Show ContentsO'Fallon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The spelling and overall form of Irish names often vary considerably. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Fallon is Ó Fallamhain. 1

Early Origins of the O'Fallon family

The surname O'Fallon 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 very ancient times.

Early History of the O'Fallon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Fallon research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1443, 1458, 1464 and 1466 are included under the topic Early O'Fallon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Fallon Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, a standardized literary language known by the general population of Ireland was a thing of fiction. When a person's name was recorded by one of the few literate scribes, it was up that particular scribe to decide how to spell an individual's name. So a person could have several spelling variations of his name recorded during a single lifetime. Research into the name O'Fallon revealed many variations, including Fallon, O'Fallon, Fallone, Falloone, Folan, Follan, Vollan and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Fallon family

More information is included under the topic Early O'Fallon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Fallon family

The 18th century saw the slow yet steady emigration of Irish families to British North America and the United States. Those early Irish settlers that left their homeland were typically moderately well off: they were enticed by the promise of a sizable plot of land. However, by the 1840s, this pattern of immigration was gone: immigrants to North America were seeking refuge from the starvation and disease that the Great Potato Famine of that decade brought. The great numbers of Irish that arrived to the United States and the soon to be Canada were instrumental in their quick development as powerful industrial nations. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists uncovered many early immigrants bearing the name O'Fallon: Stephen Fallon lived in Pennsylvania in 1773; and many other Fallons later joined him there in the mid 1800's. The family also settled in New York, California, Massachusetts, during the 19th century. They also settled in Newfoundland between 1850 and 1871..


Contemporary Notables of the name O'Fallon (post 1700) +

  • Peter O’Fallon, American New York International Film and TV Festival Award nominated television director from Colorado, known for Mysterious Ways (2000), UnREAL (2015) and Legit (2013)
  • Benjamin O'Fallon, American Indian agent in Nebraska, namesake of O'Fallons Bluff, Lincoln County, Nebraska, known as "Father of the Tribes" for his friendly relations with the Indians
  • John O'Fallon (1791-1865), American businessman, philanthropist, and military officer, at one time the wealthiest person in St. Louis, Missouri, eponym of O'Fallon, Illinois and O'Fallon, Missouri, nephew of William Clark
  • James O'Fallon (d. 1793), American physician who served as a surgeon in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War, father of John and Benjamin O'Fallon
  • Peter O'Fallon, American director, producer and writer for commercial, television and film productions
  • The Most Reverend James O'Fallon (d. 1786), Irish Roman Catholic clergyman, Bishop of Elphin (1756–1786)


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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