| ![Show Contents]() Dollens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of DollensWhat does the name Dollens mean? Throughout history, very few Irish surnames have exclusively maintained their original forms. Before being translated into English from Irish Gaelic, Dollens appeared as Ó Dobhailen or "Dubhshláin," which combines the Gaelic elements "Dubh," meaning dark, with "shláin," meaning challenge or defiance. 1 Early Origins of the Dollens familyThe surname Dollens was first found in Leinster, where they are believed to be descended from Eochaidh, King of Leinster, and became one of the "Seven septs of Leix." However, the name is "fairly common to-day in Ulster - in the Catholic areas of Counties Cavan and Fermanagh - and in the Counties of Roscommon and Galway in Connacht. In the census of 1659 the name appears principally in Counties Roscommon and Fermanagh." 2 Early History of the Dollens familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dollens research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1834 and 1914 are included under the topic Early Dollens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dollens Spelling VariationsThe Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name Dollens were encountered in the archives: Dolan, Doland, Dooley, Dowling, Doolin, Doolan, O'Dooley, O'Dolan, O'Doolin, Dollan, Dolland, Dooland, Dowlling, Doolley and many more. Early Notables of the Dollens familyMore information is included under the topic Early Dollens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Dollens familyDeath and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Dollens: Jimmy, Michael, John, Patrick, and Thomas Dolans, Doolins, Dowlings, landed at Philadelphia in the 1800's and made their way to different railroad sites to make their fortune.
- MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
- MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
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