Surname Bolan - Meaning and Origin

Bolan: What does the surname Bolan mean?

The last name Bolan is of Irish origin and has both a Gaelic and an Anglicized meaning derived from the same root. The original Gaelic version of the name, Ó Beoláin (sometimes also spelt Ó Bealáin), means “descendant of Beolán”. Beolán, in turn, translates to “mouth of chattering”, referring to someone who was particularly talkative or had an annoying habit of talking too much. In its Anglicized form, however, the name is derived from the word ‘bol’ or ‘bohl’ which translates to ‘contender’ or ‘fighter’.

The Bolan surname became more popular in the 19th century when many families from Ireland were forced to leave their homes due to war, famine, and poverty. The Bolan's were one such family, who made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in search of a better life elsewhere. The name often became anglicized upon their settlement in foreign countries.

Today, the Bolan surname is found in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and Ireland. The name has also been associated with several prominent people through the years, such as the rock-star Marc Bolan, who was famous for being the lead singer-songwriter and guitarist for the UK English band T. Rex.

No matter which origin of the Bolan name is accurate, it has ultimately become a symbol of the strength and fortitude of the Irish people who have endured centuries of hardship and persevered.

Bolan: Where does the name Bolan come from?

The last name Bolan is most common in Ireland, where it is fairly evenly distributed across the country. It is most concentrated in County Down, with smaller clusters in counties Mayo and Galway. In the United States, the most common states for the name Bolan are New York, Massachusetts, California, Texas, and New Jersey.

It is thought that the surname Bolan may have originated in Wales, and then spread to Ireland. It is thought that the original name in Ireland was O Baoillain, which then changed to Boland and then to Bolan. The name is an anglicised version of the Irish words O Baoigín, which mean 'descendant of Baoigín'.

The name can also be found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, with a smaller number of people in the south of the country. It is also found amongst Irish diaspora communities across the world, due to the large levels of emigration from Ireland in the 19th century. In Australia, Canada, and the United States, the name is also common.

Variations of the surname Bolan

The surname Bolan is a variant of the Irish surname O'Boyle (or Ó Baoighill). It is most commonly found in Ulster and Scotland, as the surname originated in Scotland in the 17th century. The name is derived from the Irish Mac GoBhilidh, meaning "son of the hostage."

The most common spelling of the surname Bolan is "Bolean," a version used both in Ireland and Scotland. The spelling is often corrupted to "Boal," "Baelen," and "Boehan" due to the phonetic interpretation of the name.

The Irish surname O'Boyle is a variant of O'Baoighill (or O'Bhaoghail). Originally a Gaelic clan name, this variant of the Bolan name is derived from the Irish baigheall, meaning "descendant of Baighill." Other variants of O'Boyle include O'Boylan, O'Boyling, Bowlin, and Bowlan.

Though primarily found in Scotland and Ireland, the Bolan surname can be found in other countries as well. In the United States, variants can be found as "Bolander" and "Bolinger," while in other countries, such as England, other versions of the name include "Bowland," "Bolland," and "Bollon."

In short, the Bolan surname and its variants can be traced back to the ancient Irish sept of O'Baoighill, though the spelling of the name has been changed from Scotland to Ireland, to the United States, and abroad.

Famous people with the name Bolan

• Marc Bolan: legendary English singer-songwriter and guitarist who formed the band T. Rex. He released 11 solo studio albums and created many top 10 singles.
• Vanessa Bolan: American actress who appeared in series such as Scandal and Magic Mike XXL.
• Dean Bolan: American actor known for appearing in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Angel Heart, and TV shows such as Wings and Growing Pains.
• Alon Bolan: Australian composer, lyricist, and singer-songwriter who released five solo albums, seven with the band Snog, and more recently two solo albums under the stage name of Corvus Stone.
• Josh Bolan: British fashion and music photographer who has worked for brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Louis Vuitton Menswear, and Nike.
• Joanne Bolan: Australian singer-songwriter and musician who is best known for performing in the band Rose Tattoo.
• Mellen Bolan: American film and television producer and writer, best known for works including Back to the Future, Sleepless in Seattle, and What Women Want.
• Bryce Bolan: American professional skateboarder who was the first person to sign with Nike SB.
• John Bolan: former American professional baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers during the 1922 and 1928 baseball seasons.
• Henry Bolan: Irish actor who has been seen on stage in musicals such as Singing in the Rain and Oliver.

Other surnames

BolandBolarBolardBolat