Show ContentsDolane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Throughout history, very few Irish surnames have exclusively maintained their original forms. Before being translated into English from Irish Gaelic, Dolane appeared as Ó Dobhailen or "Dubhshláin," which combines the Gaelic elements "Dubh," meaning dark, with "shláin," meaning challenge or defiance. 1

Early Origins of the Dolane family

The surname Dolane was first found in Leinster, where they are believed to be descended from Eochaidh, King of Leinster, and became one of the "Seven septs of Leix."

However, the name is "fairly common to-day in Ulster - in the Catholic areas of Counties Cavan and Fermanagh - and in the Counties of Roscommon and Galway in Connacht. In the census of 1659 the name appears principally in Counties Roscommon and Fermanagh." 2

Early History of the Dolane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dolane research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1834 and 1914 are included under the topic Early Dolane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dolane Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Dolane family name. Variations found include Dolan, Doland, Dooley, Dowling, Doolin, Doolan, O'Dooley, O'Dolan, O'Doolin, Dollan, Dolland, Dooland, Dowlling, Doolley and many more.

Early Notables of the Dolane family

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

Migration of the Dolane family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Dolane family in North America: Jimmy, Michael, John, Patrick, and Thomas Dolans, Doolins, Dowlings, landed at Philadelphia in the 1800's and made their way to different railroad sites to make their fortune.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
  2. MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)


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