Halleran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The name Halleran originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó hAllmhurain, which is derived from the word allmhurach, which means pirate. 1

The main branch of the family claim descent through the O'Connors (Kings of Connaught) and as such from the Heremon Kings of Ireland. 2

Early Origins of the Halleran family

The surname Halleran was first found in counties of Clare and Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The Holleran variant is typical to Counties Galway and Mayo. 3

"This family were, as the name implies, 'importers' of Wine; and were lords of Clan Fergail, a district in which Galway town is situate; and had their castle at Barns, close to the sea-side, about three miles west of Galway. The MS. Vol. H. 2.17, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, states that 'O'Halloran is the chief of twenty-four townlands on Clan Fergail; and of theses are the O'Antuiles and O'Fergus of Roscam.' That statement refers to the twelve century. These twenty-four townlands of Clan Fergail lay east of the river Gallimh (or 'Galway.') In the 13th century the O'Hallorans were dispossessed of their ancient inheritance of Clan Fergail by the De Burgos [(Burke)] invaders. The O'Hallorans and the O'Flahertys, [moved] to Iar (or West) Connaught, where they built the castle of O'Hery in Gnomore; and according to tradition, the castle or Rinville in Northern Connenara. According to the Chronicles of the Wars of Thomond, at A.D. 1309, there was another family of the O'Hallorans in Thomond, descended from the stock of the O'Briens and other Dalcassians in Munster." 2

Early History of the Halleran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Halleran research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Halleran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Halleran Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland in the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best due to competing dialects and languages, and the general illiteracy of the population. Research into the name Halleran revealed many spelling variations, including Halloran, O'Halloran, Haloran and others.

Early Notables of the Halleran family

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

Halleran Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Halleran is the 659^th most popular surname with an estimated 67 people with that name. 4

Halleran migration to the United States +

Many Irish families did not fare so well within the English-ruled Ireland. Besides racial and religious discrimination, many families were renting out small tracts of farmland from absentee landowners at often unreasonable rates. Beginning in the late 18th century, moderately well off Irish families decided to emigrate to British North America or the United States in order to own their own plot of land. A radical change occurred in the 1840s, however, with the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Up to this point, the island's population had been increasing rapidly and a steady demand over the years for grain crops had depleted soil. Two failed crops and one poor one caused widespread disease and starvation. Thousands boarded ships looking for opportunities elsewhere. North America welcomed them as a source of cheap labor required for the many industrial and infrastructure projects underway, and as a means to quickly occupy the western regions. Research into immigration and passenger ship lists indicates that people bearing the name Halleran were among the earliest settlers to arrive in North America:

Halleran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Richard Halleran, aged 26, Irish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1835 aboard the ship "Carroll of Carrolton" 5
Mr. Thomas Halleran, aged 29, who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1844 aboard the ship "J. Whitey" 5
Mrs. Johanna Halleran, aged 22, who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1844 aboard the ship "J. Whitey" 5
Miss Kitty Halleran, aged 20, who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1846 aboard the ship "Orphan" 5
Mr. Dennis Halleran, aged 20, who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1846 aboard the ship "Orphan" 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halleran migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mr. Leo Halleran was an early settler to St. Mary's, Newfoundland and Labrador 6
Mr. Matthew Halleran of Newfoundland who was accused of killing William Keen in 1750 with 9 others 6
Mr. Dennis Halleran of St. John's, married in 1807 6
Ms Bridget Halleran, found in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1815 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Halleran (post 1700) +

James E. Halleran, American former Marine who was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal & Combat Action Ribbon and police officer who currently provides security for actors
Baker Halleran, American actor, known for Chicago P.D. (2014), Whitey and Street Smarts working title (2018)
Laura Halleran, Canadian actress, known for North of 60 (1992), and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997)
Jeremiah Halleran (1843-1925), Canadian-born, Newfoundland merchant and politician from Halifax, Nova Scotia who represented St. John's East in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1889 to 1893

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022 from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)