Sullivan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland-Alt 
  Ireland 
  England 


The old Gaelic name used by the Sullivan family in Ireland was Ó Suileabhain, which is partially derived from the word "suil," which means "eye." The surname probably means either one-eyed or hawk-eyed.

Early Origins of the Sullivan family

The surname Sullivan was first found in the territory of Cahir in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster. The Sullivan spelling is by far the most common name in Munster, and is predominantly found in the counties of Cork and Kerry, with a smaller but still significant population in County Limerick. 1

Early History of the Sullivan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sullivan research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1560, 1590, 1618, 1660, 1700, 1710, 1745, 1784 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Sullivan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sullivan Spelling Variations

One name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer because one must realize that attempting to record a Gaelic name in English is a daunting task at the best of times. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Sullivan family name include O'Sullivan, Sullivan and others.

Early Notables of the Sullivan family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Sullivan World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sullivan is the 105th most popular surname with an estimated 201,447 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Sullivan is ranked the 266th most popular surname with an estimated 15,691 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Sullivan is the 106th popular surname with an estimated 318 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Sullivan as 134th with 20,412 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Sullivan as 238th with 2,476 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Sullivan as 288th with 21,142 people. 8


Sullivan migration to the United States +

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Sullivan or one of its variants:

Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Sullivan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sullivan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Sullivan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Sullivan migration to Australia +

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

Sullivan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Sullivan 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:

Sullivan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Sullivan (post 1700) +


The Sullivan 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: Lamh foistenach abú
Motto Translation: The steady hand to victory.


Suggested Readings for the name Sullivan +
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