Hollehan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Hollehan originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó hUallachain, which is derived from the word "uallach," which means "proud." 1

Early Origins of the Hollehan family

The surname Hollehan was first found in Thomond (Irish: Tuadh Mumhan), literally North Thomond, the pre-Norman Kingdom of Thomond, since divided between counties Limerick, Tipperary and Clare, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Hollehan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hollehan research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hollehan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hollehan Spelling Variations

The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name Hollehan were encountered in the archives: Holohan, O'Holohan, Mulholland, Highland, Hoolohan, Houlihan, Hooligan, Whelton, Oulihan, Oulahen, Whoolahan and many more.

Early Notables of the Hollehan family

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

Hollehan migration to Canada +

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Hollehan family came to North America quite early:

Hollehan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Michael Hollehan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1828

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)