| {{ad}} |
|
|
|
| Origins Available: |
| | Ireland |
Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Slawson 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
The surname Slawson 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Slawson research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Slawson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Slawson family name include Slavin, Slaving, Slevin, Sleving, Slevan, Sleavin and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Slawson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Slawson is the 11,629th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3
Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Slawson name: