Houlihen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Houlihen

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Houlihen originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó hUallachain, which is derived from the word "uallach," which means "proud." 1

Early Origins of the Houlihen family

Early History of the Houlihen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Houlihen research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Houlihen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Houlihen Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname Houlihen can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Holohan, O'Holohan, Mulholland, Highland, Hoolohan, Houlihan, Hooligan, Whelton, Oulihan, Oulahen, Whoolahan and many more.

Early Notables of the Houlihen family

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

Migration of the Houlihen family

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 Houlihen name: Daniel, David, John, Michael, Patrick and Owen Hollahan and David and Michael Mulholand, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.