Hoolihan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the Hoolihan family

The surname Hoolihan 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 Hoolihan family

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

Hoolihan Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Hoolihan were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Holohan, O'Holohan, Mulholland, Highland, Hoolohan, Houlihan, Hooligan, Whelton, Oulihan, Oulahen, Whoolahan and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoolihan family

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

Hoolihan migration to the United States +

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Hoolihan or a variant listed above:

Hoolihan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret Hoolihan, aged 14, who landed in New York in 1854 2

Hoolihan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hoolihan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Hoolihan, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
Michael Hoolihan, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
Timothy Hoolihan, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
Mary Hoolihan, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
Johana Hoolihan, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland

Contemporary Notables of the name Hoolihan (post 1700) +

Paul Anthony Hoolihan (b. 1947), Australian politician, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Keppel (2004-2012)

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)