O'Sheend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland
• England

Etymology of O'Sheend

The spelling and overall form of Irish names tend to vary widely. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Sheend is Ó Siodhachain, which may be derived from "siodhach," which means "peaceful."

While most of the family claim Ireland as their ancient homeland, England may be an origin of the family too, as Sheen can be found in Surrey and Staffordshire. 1

Early Origins of the O'Sheend family

Early History of the O'Sheend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Sheend research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Sheend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Sheend Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled with much consistency during the Middle Ages. As the many spelling variations of the name O'Sheend dating from that time attests: Sheehan, Sheeham, Sheahan, O'Sheehan, Sheagan and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Sheend family

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

Migration of the O'Sheend family

The 19th century brought a massive reduction in Ireland's population. It seemed that during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the Irish people had two options: starve or immigrate. Those that chose the later frequently headed for the United States, hopeful for land, work, and equality. Those determined for free land joined the migration west; while others stayed behind to live in urban centers and often work in factories. Still others began a transitory life in work camps, building the bridges, canals, railways, and highways so critical to the rapidly development of the growing industrial nation. Early passenger and immigration lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name O'Sheend: Cornelius Sheagan who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1842; John, Morris and Thomas Sheehan arrived in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1870; Denis Sheeham arrived in Maryland in 1774.