Show ContentsSlaven History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Slaven originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Sleibhin or O'Sleibhin, derived from "sliabh," which means "mountain," and was a symbolic name for the Chief of this Clann. This is "the name of a branch of the Cenél Eoghain in Ulster. Some families of the name settled in Co. Westmeath." 1

Another notes a slightly different Gaelic spelling of the name: O'Sliabhain, which has the same meaning "mountain." Like many other Irish families, they claim descent from Colla da Crioch, one of the most famous Heremon Kings of Ireland. 2

Early Origins of the Slaven family

The surname Slaven was first found in Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Slaven family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Slaven research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Slaven History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Slaven Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Slaven revealed spelling variations, including Slavin, Slaving, Slevin, Sleving, Slevan, Sleavin and many more.

Early Notables of the Slaven family

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

Slaven Ranking

In the United States, the name Slaven is the 12,946th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3


Slaven migration to the United States +

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Slaven family came to North America quite early:

Slaven Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Bernard, Edward, Hugh, James, John, Patrick, Peter, and William Slaven who, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1842 and 1862
  • Garnet Slaven, aged 27, who landed in America from Preston, in 1892
Slaven Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • James Slaven, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Leitrim, in 1905
  • Patrick Slaven, aged 30, who settled in America from Tyrone, Ireland, in 1907
  • Rose Slaven, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Tyrone, Ireland, in 1907
  • Nann Slaven, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
  • John Slaven, aged 48, who settled in America from Carrickmacross, Ireland, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Slaven migration to Australia +

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

Slaven Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Slaven, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Frenchman"

Contemporary Notables of the name Slaven (post 1700) +

  • Michael "Mick" Slaven (b. 1961), Scottish session guitarist and record producer
  • Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Slaven (b. 1960), Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international footballer
  • Slaven Letica (1947-2020), Croatian author, economist, commentator and politician


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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