O'Heelyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of O'Heelyn

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

Early Origins of the O'Heelyn family

Early History of the O'Heelyn family

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

O'Heelyn Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name O'Heelyn dating from that time include Holohan, O'Holohan, Mulholland, Highland, Hoolohan, Houlihan, Hooligan, Whelton, Oulihan, Oulahen, Whoolahan and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Heelyn family

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

Migration of the O'Heelyn family

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name O'Heelyn or a variant listed above: Daniel, David, John, Michael, Patrick and Owen Hollahan and David and Michael Mulholand, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.