Show ContentsSlevyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

The surname Slevyn 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 Slevyn family

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

Slevyn Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Slevyn family name. Variations found include Slavin, Slaving, Slevin, Sleving, Slevan, Sleavin and many more.

Early Notables of the Slevyn family

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

Migration of the Slevyn family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Slevyn family in North America: 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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