Show ContentsShevlane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Shevlane

What does the name Shevlane mean?

The surname Shevlane is an Anglicization of the sept name Ó Sibhlen, which is now in modern Irish Ó Seibhleain.

The name literally means "son of Seibhleain", derived from the personal name Seibhleain which was derived from the root, "sibhal" meaning "swift".

Early Origins of the Shevlane family

The surname Shevlane was first found in County Offaly (Irish: Uíbh Fháilí) originally the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, located in central Ireland in the Province of Leinster, where the principal sept of Ó Sibhlen was located. They were an important sept in that area until the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century. There was also a sept of Ó Sibhlen of the Ui Fiachrach in Mayo.

The principal sept of O'Seibhleain was located in Offaly and was of considerable importance there prior to the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172. The O Seibhleain would have been considered a sept of the powerful O'Dempsey Clan whose chief was known as the Lord of Offaly. However, their descendants are no longer found in that part of the country.

Early History of the Shevlane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shevlane research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1601, 1635, 1665 and 1670 are included under the topic Early Shevlane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shevlane Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Shevlin, Shevlan, Shevland, Shevlane, Shivlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Shevlane family

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

Migration of the Shevlane family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward and John Shivilen, who were recorded as British aliens in Delaware during the War of 1812; Phillip Shevlen, who settled in St. John, New Brunswick in 1833.


Contemporary Notables of the name Shevlane (post 1700) +

  • Chris Shevlane (1942-2023), Scottish footballer, who played for Hearts, Celtic, Hibernian and Greenock Morton (1962-1974)


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