Show ContentsNilyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Nilyn was derived from the Gaelic "O Niallain," which means "descendant of Niall."

Early Origins of the Nilyn family

The surname Nilyn was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster.

Early History of the Nilyn family

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

Nilyn 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 Nilyn include O'Neilan, O'Neylan, Neilan, Neylan, O'Nelan and others.

Early Notables of the Nilyn family

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

Migration of the Nilyn family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Nilyn to North America: 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.



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