Surname Hoolihan - Meaning and Origin
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Hoolihan: What does the surname Hoolihan mean?
The last name Hoolihan is Irish in origin, with the Gaelic spelling being pronounced “Hoo – li – han”. The name Hoolihan is a derivative of the Gaelic surname O’ hUilleamhain, an ancient and distinguished family from County Clare in Ireland. The original form of the surname is believed to be derived from the personal name Uilliam, the Irish form of William. This evolved into the Gaelic surname Ó hUilleamhain, meaning “descendant of William”.
The original family who took the name O’ hUilleamhain were recorded as nobility and landowners in the region as early as the 11th Century. Later iterations of the family name and its derivates are still found all over Ireland and the Irish diaspora. From the O’ hUilleamhain, the Hoolihan family is derived.
The Hoolihans are believed to have originated along the southern coast of County Clare, possibly as early as the 16th century. There are records of Hoolihans holding titles in the region as Bothal, a noble in the Clirech clan.
Throughout history, the Hoolihans were seen as a powerful and distinguished family in Ireland, having held titles from the 12th century onward. Today, many members of the family are found all over the world, acting as a link to the family’s ancient roots.
Order DNA origin analysisHoolihan: Where does the name Hoolihan come from?
The last name Hoolihan is quite uncommon today, although it is believed to be an Irish or Scottish last name. It is suggested to be derived from the Gaelic Ó hUalaigh, which means ‘O’Houlihan’ or ‘descendant of Ulick’. It is believed that the original bearers of this last name are of a branch of the Ui Neill dynasty who held a territory in the south of County Kildare in Ireland. Despite this being the origin of the last name Hoolihan, it is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The most recent population census recorded about 336 individuals in the United States with the last name Hoolihan, which is quite low considering the population of the country. The majority of living Hoolihans in America today can claim to be descended from immigrants who arrived from Europe in the late 19th century and early 20th century, hoping to develop a better life for themselves and their families.
In terms of the Hoolihan distribution around the world today, there are only a few countries where the last name is found with some degree of frequency, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the overwhelming majority of people with this surname still reside in the United States, particularly in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Despite its rarity, the last name Hoolihan still carries with it a rich history and cultural heritage that is shared by all of the families that carry this name today.
Variations of the surname Hoolihan
The surname Hoolihan is an Anglicised form of an Irish surname, originating from the Gaelic word Ó hUileachain. Its variants and spellings include Hoolihane, Houlihan, Hoolahan, Heolihan, and Hoolihane. The alternative origin of the surname is from the Irish word Mac Uilechain, which translates to mean son of Uillechan or son of the warrior. As such, variants and spellings from this origin are Mac Hoolahan, Hoolihan, Hoolahan, Houlihan and Houlahan.
The Houlihan name is primarily found in Ireland and the UK. In Ireland, the name is concentrated mainly in Counties Mayo, Tipperary, Cork, Kerry, and Limerick. The surname is also commonly found in Newfoundland, the US, Canada and Australia, as a result of the great migration of the Irish diaspora.
Other spellings, shortened forms, pet names and nicknames derived from Hoolihan/Houlihan include Heolihan, Holean, Houli, Hoolihane, Halihan, Holohan, Halahan, Hallyhan, Hoolyhan and Holohan. In some cases, the surname has been adopted as a first name, becoming a forename in its own right.
Overall, the surname Hoolihan and its many variants is a name that carries with it a rich Irish heritage. Historians and genealogists suggest that the name could be linked either directly or indirectly with a variety of O’Hoolihan families who emigrated from Ireland in search of a better life.
Famous people with the name Hoolihan
- Tom Hoolihan: American actor, best known for appearing in the NBC drama series, Chicago Fire.
- Tim Hoolihan: American producer, screenwriter, and director, best known for producing films like Mission Impossible, Flight Plan, and The Italian Job.
- Bridget Hoolihan: American costume designer for films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Beauty and the Beast, and The Great Gatsby.
- Martin Hoolihan: Australian football player who played for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League.
- Patrick Hoolihan: American politician from New York and board member of the New York State Gaming Commission.
- Alan Hoolihan: Irish folk singer and prolific songwriter.
- Edwin Hoolihan: American lobbyist and strategist in Washington, D.C.
- Dennis Hoolihan: American football coach and former head football coach at Montana State University.
- Terri Hoolihan: British film producer and independent curator, best known for producing short films such as Babies and Wolves.
- Joe Hoolihan: American actor who appeared in films such as The Dark Knight Rises and How to Train Your Dragon.