Show ContentsSlevan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Slevan 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 Slevan family

The surname Slevan 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 Slevan family

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

Slevan Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Slevan revealed spelling variations, including Slavin, Slaving, Slevin, Sleving, Slevan, Sleavin and many more.

Early Notables of the Slevan family

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


United States Slevan migration to the United States +

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 Slevan family came to North America quite early:

Slevan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Michael Slevan, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1828

Canada Slevan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Slevan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ann Slevan, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
  • John Slevan, aged 6 months, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833


  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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