Sheeman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland
• England

Etymology of Sheeman

The spelling and overall form of Irish names tend to vary widely. The original Gaelic form of the name Sheeman 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 Sheeman family

Early History of the Sheeman family

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

Sheeman Spelling Variations

Throughout the early history of this name, spellings of the surname in various records changed frequently largely due to the recorder's interpretation of how the name sounded at the time of the entry. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Sheeman family name include Sheehan, Sheeham, Sheahan, O'Sheehan, Sheagan and many more.

Early Notables of the Sheeman family

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

Migration of the Sheeman family

Irish families began to migrate to North America in the late 18th century in the hopes of gaining their own plot of land. The majority of these early immigrant families were relatively well off because the transatlantic passage was costly. As a result the decision to immigrate was carefully made. Those immigrants that arrived in the late 1840s differed because their decision to leave was in direct response to the Great Potato Famine. Many of the families that crossed the Atlantic during this decade were destitute, either having spent all they had on the fare or even starting with nothing, but being sponsored by a philanthropic society. Whenever, these Irish families came to North America, they were made great contributions to the developing nations of the United States and what would come to be known as Canada: the earlier settlers as land clearing homesteaders, and the later immigrants as the muscle that would build the industries and routes of transportation so critical to a powerful nation. Research into the passenger and immigration lists has shown many early and significant Irish immigrants bearing the name Sheeman: 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.