Tolan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Tolan name:

Tolan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patrick Tolan, who arrived in America in 1865 2

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tolan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Tolan, aged 18 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Free Trader" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
• Mr. James Tolan, aged 22 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lady Campbell" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
• Ms. Margaret Tolan, aged 24 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
• Miss. Mary Tolan, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sisters" departing 22nd April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 20th June 1847 but she died on board 4

Tolan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• John Tolan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Susannah" in 1849 5

Tolan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Neal Tolan, (b. 1850), aged 20, British ploughman travelling from London aboard the ship "Monarch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 6
• Neal Tolan, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blairgowrie" in 1875

• John Harvey Tolan (1877-1947), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from California 7th District, 1935-47 7
• Thomas J. Tolan (1830-1883), American architect, father of Brentwood S. Tolan
• Stephanie S. Tolan, American author of children's books, perhaps best known for her book Surviving the Applewhites which received a Newbery Honor in 2003
• Peter Tolan (b. 1958), American two-time Primetime Emmy Award winning television producer, director, and screenwriter, known for Analyze This (1999), Analyze That (2002) and Bedazzled (2000)
• Michael Tolan (b. 1925), born Seymour Tuchow, an American actor, known for his work in All That Jazz (1979), Presumed Innocent (1990) and The Doctors and the Nurses (1962)
• Johnnie Tolan (1917-1986), American racecar driver, inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1988
• John Tolan (b. 1959), American historian of religious and cultural relations between the Arab and Latin worlds in the Middle Ages
• John Harvey Tolan (1877-1947), American politician, U.S. Representative from California (1935-1947)
• Thomas Edward "Eddie" Tolan (1908-1967), American athlete and sprinter, nicknamed the "Midnight Express"
• Brentwood S. Tolan (1855-1923), American architect, best known for his courthouse designs including the Allen County Courthouse and the Whitley County Courthouse
• ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)