Surname O'Holohan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
O'Holohan: What does the surname O'Holohan mean?
The surname O'Holohan is an Irish name originating from the ancient Gaelic sept of Uí hAodha. It is found in the Barony of Kilmallock in County Limerick, and is derived from the personal name Aodh, meaning "fire". The original Gaelic form of the surname is O hAodha which is now represented as O'Holohan.
The O'Holohan surname is thought to have been brought to Ireland during the 11th century, when Norman adventurers began settling in the region. There are reports that a branch of the family held the Manor of Ballyholohan on the banks of the River Blackwater in County Kerry at various periods over the centuries.
Over time, the O'Holohans became a prominent family of landowners throughout County Limerick and its neighboring counties. They gained a reputation for being a charitable and honorable people, and throughout the mid-1800's, the O'Holohan name was associated with various philanthropic and political activities.
Today, the O'Holohan surname is still quite common throughout Ireland, and is distributed throughout the United States, Australia, and other parts of the world. For the O'Holohan people today, the name continues to embody strength and courage, pride and loyalty, and honor and generosity, all traits that have been passed down through generations of this ancient Irish family.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Holohan: Where does the name O'Holohan come from?
The last name O’Holohan is most commonly associated with Ireland today, as the surname originates from the Irish Gaelic name “Ó hUallacháin”, meaning “descendants of Uallachan”. Uallachan derives from a personal name meaning “proud” or “noble”. This suggests that the surname started out as an honorific title.
The most common concentrations of O’Holohan families today are in South West Ireland, with many living in Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford. Other areas that had higher concentrations of O’Holohans in the past include Offaly, Kildare, Roscommon, North Cork, Wexford and Kilkenny.
The O’Holohans had a long and proud history in Ireland, being one of the 'Wild Geese' – the Irish army officers who left the country during the 1700s in search of foreign military opportunities. Many members of the O’Holohan clan joined the Spanish and French military, becoming respected leaders in their adopted countries.
The O’Holohan family is sometimes associated with a mythical being in Irish folklore; a mysterious pumpkin-headed creature called the Pooka, who is seen by some as the protector of those who hold the surname.
Today, the O’Holohans are a proud part of Ireland’s history, with the name still being used by thousands of people around the country. Those people who still bear the name today are descendants of a proud and noble heritage, and a family with a strong and important place in Irish history.
Variations of the surname O'Holohan
The O'Holohan surname is a variant of the Irish Ó hUallacháin. This surname is thought to have originated from the Irish personal name Ualacháin, which meant “total causality” or “valiant prince”. As the surname spread to different parts of the world, its forms and spellings have changed over time.
The most common spellings of O'Holohan in Ireland include O'Houlahan, O'Hallahan, Holohan, and Houlahan. In the United States, the variations of this surname are typically Hoolahan, Holohan, Hallahan, and Oulahan. In Britain, the spelling may be given as O'Hallahan or simply Hallahan.
Alternate surnames with similar origins include fallohan (derived from Ó frochalláin), Ó Hanléin, Ó hAllmhuráin (derived from Ó hUallacháin), and Ó hAolchinn. Additional English variations of O'Holohan include Hollohan, Ollahan, Ullahan, and Ollh hann.
While the origin of the O'Holohan surname is well known, its meaning is still debated by scholars. Some believe it is derived from the Irish phrase a uallachán, which means “an old hand or chief”; others believe it was taken from the Irish pre-Christian deity Lugh.
There is also a German version of the O'Holohan surname, known as Ölhöhlen or Oelhöhlen, which means “valley of the old” and is thought to have derived from the same roots as the Irish version.
Although the spelling of the O'Holohan surname may have changed over the centuries, the original Irish origins remain strong in many areas where the surname is found.
Famous people with the name O'Holohan
- Ray O'Holohan: Ray O'Holohan is an Irish former professional footballer and coach who played as a forward. He played most of his career for Limerick, Waterford and Dundalk between 1984 and 1997.
- David O'Holohan: David O'Holohan is an Irish fine art painter and public artist, based in Dublin. He is the recipient of multiple awards for his work, including the 2019 RTÉ/Datahug One to Watch award at the Royal Hibernian Academy's Irish art competition.
- Peter O'Holohan: Peter O'Holohan is an Irish musician and singer-songwriter based in Dublin. He released his debut album "Slip of the Tongue" in 2002 and his most recent solo album "Real People" in 2015.
- Seamus O'Holohan: Seamus O'Holohan is an Irish folk singer, violinist and flautist. He has released a number of albums and toured all over the world.
- Angela O'Holohan: Angela O'Holohan is a well-known Irish actress, who has appeared in films such as "The Boys Are Back", "Mary Queen of Scots", and "The Commitments".