Show ContentsBoyelynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic form of Boyelynd was Ó Baoighealláin. 1

Early Origins of the Boyelynd family

The surname Boyelynd 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 Boyelynd family

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

Boyelynd Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Boyelynd family name include Boylan, Boyland, O'Boylan and others.

Early Notables of the Boyelynd family

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

Migration of the Boyelynd family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Boyelynd name: 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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