Surname Heelan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Heelan: What does the surname Heelan mean?
The last name Heelan is an anglicised version of the Irish surname Ó hÍosláin. It originates from the Irish personal name “Íoslán” which means “dear one” or “honest one”. The Ó hÍosláin clan were a powerful tribe of the Cineal Eoghain sept located near the Marian River in Ulster.
The coat of arms of the Heelan family consists of a yellow shield with a red bend and three white crosses of St. Martin. Above the shield is a black helmet and crest, a silver wolf head. This symbolizes courage and strength. The motto of the family is "Ad Summum Bonum" which translates to a life aspiration of reaching the highest good.
The Heelans have strong roots in Northern Ireland and have played a role in the historical development and culture of the region. The Heelan family is known for a long and proud tradition of service to their local community. They were considered to be solid farmers, well-respected citizens, and successful business people.
Heelan is a popular Irish surname found in many countries throughout the world. Despite its Irish heritage, the name has become a truly common international name, with many people tracing their Heelan ancestry to either Ireland or Britain. The name is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Heelan family over many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisHeelan: Where does the name Heelan come from?
Heelan is an Irish surname, primarily found in the province of Munster. It is particularly common in the counties of Cork and Kerry. The Heelan name is thought to have originated with the Gaelic O hEilidhe family, with the prefix ‘O’ indicating ‘grandson of’.
The name has retained its presence in the region, with around 1,850 people in Ireland listed with the surname today. Many still live in Cork, with another 800+ people in Kerry and scattered inhabitants throughout the rest of the country. The Heelan surname is also found in small numbers in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, but the majority of those who bear it have their generational roots in Ireland.
The name has also been adopted by members of other Irish families, most notably those whose surname is similar in sound; Houlihan, Hilan, Hielan, and O Hailin. Those who keep the Heelan name often jealously guard the ancestry and family crest associated with it. There seems to be an acknowledgement that these names began from the O hEilidhe family, yet the connection to it may now only exist in principle.
In summary, the Heelan surname continues to hold its place in Ireland but is not necessarily exclusive to its O hEilidhe roots. It is also found among those who adopted the surname as part of their heritage, and also among those of the same local regions who have a similar-sounding surname. But, a sense of pride in the O hEilidhe ancestral links remains.
Variations of the surname Heelan
The surname Heelan has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. While the modern spelling of the name is Heelan, it can also be spelled as Heilan, Heelen, Heelon, Heely, Helan, Hylan, Hyland, and Hylant, among others. The name is derived from the Old Irish Gaelic surname O’hUigin, which was derived from the personal name Uigin.
In Ireland, many of the families of this name are based in the counties of Cork and Wexford. The term O'hUigin or O'Hylan was also found in nearby Cavan before being assimilated into the surrounding larger Gaeldom. It is likely that they gave their name to a townland region called Clagganehelan, which is located in the parish of Farranrory in County Cork.
Variations of the surname Heelan may have forms derived from the Gaelic spelling, such as O’Heilien, O’Healen, O’Healan, and O’Hylen. The prefix “O’” can have been added or dropped throughout the centuries due to mispronunciation or adoption of different dialects. In some cases, the prefix “Mc” may be used instead of the traditional O’.
The Heelan surname was also spelled Heilan or Heilen in Ireland and Scotland. Anglicized forms such as Heely and Hylant can also be found. In Australia and the United States of America, the name has been changed to Hyland. Additionally, variations such as Heelon, Helan, and Hylan can be found in various countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Heelan
- Hoda Kotb: Award-winning television host and author.
- Richard Heelan: Award-winning radio and television producer.
- Ralph Heelan: Former Irish minister for Health.
- John Heelan: British film set designer.
- Jodi Heelan: Famous professional squash player from Westport, CT.
- Chris Heelan: Australian professional rugby league player.
- Maura Heelan: American film and television actress.
- Michael Heelan: Former professional footballer from Northern Ireland.
- Norman Heelan: British film and television actor.
- Harry Heelan: Former American Major League Baseball player.