Dillane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Ireland

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The surname is one of the Anglo-Norman names that arrived in Ireland in the wake of the 12th century invasion by Richard "Strongbow" de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The surname Dillane belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Originally, these place names were prefixed by de, which means from in French. The name of the Dillane family comes from the name of the town of Lyon in central France. In France, the name may also have been a nickname for a fierce or brave warrior, as derived from the Old French word "lion," which meant "lion." The Irish Gaelic form of the surname Dillane is Diolún.

Early Origins of the Dillane family

The surname Dillane was first found in at Drumrany in County Westmeath (Irish: An Iarmhí) in the Irish Midlands, province of Leinster, where they were the Barons of Drumrany. The Dillon family is descended from Sir Henry de Leon, a member of a noble Breton family who came to Ireland in 1185, in the service of the Earl of Morton, who later became King John. For de Leon's service, King John granted him MacCarrons territory, part of Annaly, and other vast possessions, including a castle at Dunimon.

Early History of the Dillane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dillane research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1572, 1605, 1610, 1615, 1624, 1627, 1629, 1630, 1633, 1642, 1649, 1652, 1672, 1674, 1682, 1685, 1689, 1691, 1713, 1715 and 1794 are included under the topic Early Dillane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dillane Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes often spelled early surnames as they sounded. This practice often resulted in many spelling variations of even a single name. Early versions of the name Dillane included: Dillon, Delion, Dilune, Dilon, Dylon, Dillan, Dillen and many more.

Early Notables of the Dillane family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Sir Bartholomew Dillon (died 1533), a leading Irish judge who held the offices of Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and Lord Justice of Ireland. Hewas born at Riverston, County Meath. Theobald Dillon, 1st Viscount Dillon (died 1624), was an Irish military commander and adventurer who claimed descent from the Anglo-Norman Henry le Dillon; Lucas Dillon, 2nd Viscount Dillon (1610-1629); Theobald Dillon, 3rd Viscount Dillon (1629-1630); Thomas Dillon, 4th Viscount Dillon (1615-1672); Thomas Dillon, 5th Viscount Dillon (d. 1674); Lucas Dillon, 6th Viscount Dillon (d. 1682); Theobald Dillon, 7th Viscount Dillon...
Another 100 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dillane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dillane migration to the United States +

Ireland went through one of the most devastating periods in its history with the arrival of the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Many also lost their lives from typhus, fever and dysentery. And poverty was the general rule as tenant farmers were often evicted because they could not pay the high rents. Emigration to North America gave hundreds of families a chance at a life where work, freedom, and land ownership were all possible. For those who made the long journey, it meant hope and survival. The Irish emigration to British North America and the United States opened up the gates of industry, commerce, education and the arts. Early immigration and passenger lists have shown many Irish people bearing the name Dillane:

Dillane Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nora Dillane, aged 29, who arrived in America, in 1893

Dillane Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James Dillane, aged 20, who arrived in America from Newcastle West, Ireland, in 1909
Patrick Dillane, aged 23, who arrived in America from Tarbert, Ireland, in 1910
Michael Dillane, aged 20, who arrived in America from Ballylongfort, Ireland, in 1910
Mary Dillane, aged 17, who arrived in America from Sharagolden, Ireland, in 1912
William Dillane, aged 32, who arrived in America from Newcastle West, Ireland, in 1912
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dillane migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Dillane Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Timothy Dillane, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Confiance" 1

Dillane migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dillane Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Michael Dillane, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Dillane (post 1700) +

Frank Dillane (b. 1991), British actor, son of Stephen Dillane
Richard Dillane (b. 1964), English actor, best known for his role as British agent Peter Nicholls in Ben Affleck's 2012 thriller Argo, younger brother of Stephen Dillane
Stephen J. Dillane (b. 1956), English Tony award winning, Primetime Emmy Award nominated actor, best known for his roles as Leonard Woolf in The Hours, Glen Foy in Goal! and Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones

The Dillane Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I hope.