Nillan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Early Origins of the Nillan family

Early History of the Nillan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nillan research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1570 is included under the topic Early Nillan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nillan Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Nillan include O'Neilan, O'Neylan, Neilan, Neylan, O'Nelan and others.

Early Notables of the Nillan family

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

Migration of the Nillan family

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Nillan: Humphry Nelan, who arrived in America between the years 1735 and 1743; James Nelan, who arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843; John, Johanna and Elizabeth Neilan, who all died en route to Quebec in 1847.