Show ContentsNilan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Nilan was derived from the Gaelic "O Niallain," which means "descendant of Niall."

Early Origins of the Nilan family

The surname Nilan was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster.

Early History of the Nilan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nilan research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1570 is included under the topic Early Nilan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nilan 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 Nilan revealed many variations, including O'Neilan, O'Neylan, Neilan, Neylan, O'Nelan and others.

Early Notables of the Nilan family

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


United States Nilan migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Nilan:

Nilan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Nilan, who settled in Boston 1875

Canada Nilan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nilan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Anna Nilan, aged 30 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 September 1847 [1]

Australia Nilan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Nilan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Nilan, aged 41, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Omega"
  • William Nilan, aged 15, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Omega"


  1. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 50)


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