Show ContentsNeylan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Neylan was derived from the Gaelic "O Niallain," which means "descendant of Niall."

Early Origins of the Neylan family

The surname Neylan was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster.

Early History of the Neylan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neylan research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1570 is included under the topic Early Neylan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neylan Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Neylan are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include O'Neilan, O'Neylan, Neilan, Neylan, O'Nelan and others.

Early Notables of the Neylan family

Notable among the family name at this time was

  • Baron Patrick O'Neylan


Australia Neylan migration to Australia +

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

Neylan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Neylan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Birman" in 1840 1
  • Ellen Neylan, aged 22, a housemaid, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 2
  • Daniel Neylan, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Monsoon"
  • Daniel Neylan, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"
  • Mark Neylan, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"

New Zealand Neylan 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:

Neylan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Michael Neylan, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen of Nations" in 1874
  • Patrick Neylan, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876

Contemporary Notables of the name Neylan (post 1700) +

  • Kathleen Neylan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1972 3
  • John Francis Neylan (1885-1960), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1920; member, University of California Board of Regents, 1928-55 3
  • Brigadier Edward Michael Neylan (b. 1896), Australian Commander Royal Artillery 5th Australian Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945 4
  • Neylan McBaine (b. 1977), American writer, especially on topics related to women in Mormonism from Manhattan, New York


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BIRMAN 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Birman.htm
  2. South Australian Register Monday 26th December 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Epaminondas 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1853.shtml
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, August 30) Edward Neylan. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Neylan/Edward_Michael/Australia.html


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