Show ContentsSlavene History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Slavene originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Sleibhin or O'Sleibhin, derived from "sliabh," which means "mountain," and was a symbolic name for the Chief of this Clann. This is "the name of a branch of the Cenél Eoghain in Ulster. Some families of the name settled in Co. Westmeath." [1]

Another notes a slightly different Gaelic spelling of the name: O'Sliabhain, which has the same meaning "mountain." Like many other Irish families, they claim descent from Colla da Crioch, one of the most famous Heremon Kings of Ireland. [2]

Early Origins of the Slavene family

The surname Slavene was first found in Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Slavene family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Slavene research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Slavene History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Slavene Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages names were often recorded as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Slavene family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Slavin, Slaving, Slevin, Sleving, Slevan, Sleavin and many more.

Early Notables of the Slavene family

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

Migration of the Slavene family

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 Slavene or a variant listed above: Bernard, Edward, Hugh, James, John, Patrick, Peter, and William Slaven who arrived in Philadelphia between 1842 and 1862; Charles, Cornelius, Danial, Edward, Francis, Hugh, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Slavin all arrived in Philadelphia between 1808 and 1864.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)


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