Show ContentsBoielyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic form of Boielyn was Ó Baoighealláin. 1

Early Origins of the Boielyn family

The surname Boielyn was first found in Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient times, and were descended from the Heremon line of Kings, more specifically King Colla da Crioch, one of the three famous Kings of Colla, 357 A.D. 2

Early History of the Boielyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boielyn research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boielyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boielyn 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 Boielyn family name. Variations found include Boylan, Boyland, O'Boylan and others.

Early Notables of the Boielyn family

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

Migration of the Boielyn 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 Boielyn family in North America: George Boylan who settled in Barbados in 1654; Charles, James, John, Michael, several Patricks, Thomas Boylan, arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)


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