Shean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Ireland

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The spelling and overall form of Irish names tend to vary widely. The original Gaelic form of the name Shean is Ó Siodhachain, which may be derived from "siodhach," which means "peaceful."

Early Origins of the Shean family

The surname Shean was first found in County Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Shean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shean research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shean Spelling Variations

Many different spelling variations of the surname Shean exist in the archives researched. Ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. Different spellings that were found include Sheehan, Sheeham, Sheahan, O'Sheehan, Sheagan and many more.

Early Notables of the Shean family

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

Shean migration to the United States +

Irish emigration to North America began modestly in the late 18th century. At this time, Irish families made the journey to British North America and the United States by choice and after careful consideration: they were primarily in search of a suitably large stretch of land to call their own. This pattern would change most dramatically during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For example, the years 1825-1845 saw approximately 450,000 heading to British North America and 400,000 to the United States, but in 1847, at the height of the famine, it is estimated that more than 104,000 Irish immigrants went to British North America and more than 119,000 to the United States. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Shean:

Shean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Elinor Shean, aged 60, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 1
David Shean, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 1
Darby Shean, aged 48, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1813 1

Shean Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Patrick Shean, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Timleague, Ireland, in 1902
William Shean, aged 41, who landed in America, in 1903
Mich Shean, aged 35, who landed in America, in 1907
Celia Shean, aged 25, who landed in America from London England, in 1907
Gertrude Shean, aged 8, who landed in America from Gibralter, England, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shean migration to Australia +

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

Shean Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Martin Shean, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
Mr. Patrick Shean, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
Mary Shean, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Mallard" 4

Shean 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:

Shean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. G. Shean, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 5
Miss Shean, Irish settler travelling from Cork aboard the ship "Spirit of Trade" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th December 1858 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Shean (post 1700) +

David William Shean (1883-1963), American Major League Baseball reserve infielder/outfielder
Leonard Hsing Yin Shean (1958-2021), Malaysian politician, a single-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjong Aru (1986-1990)
Al Shean (1868-1949), stage name for Abraham Elieser Adolph Schönberg, German-born comedian, half of the vaudeville team Gallagher and Shean, uncle of the Marx Brothers