Contents [hide]

Coleman History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies South Africa

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Coleman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Coleman

What does the name Coleman mean?

While the Anglicized versions of Irish names are familiar to most people, many Irish names have a long and proud Gaelic heritage that is often unknown. The Coleman surname stems from two distinct Gaelic names O'Clúmháin, derived from the Irish root "clúmh," meaning "down," or "feathers," and from Ó Colmain, derived the Latin word "columba," which means "dove." 1

Early Origins of the Coleman family

The surname Coleman was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they were a sept of O'Colmain, a branch of Hy Fiachrach. 2

Early History of the Coleman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coleman research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Coleman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coleman Spelling Variations

The spelling of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was rarely consistent. This inconsistency was due to the scribes and church officials' attempts to record orally defined names in writing. The common practice of recording names as they sounded resulted in spelling variations such as Colman, Coleman, O'Colman, MacColeman, McColeman, Coalman, Coulman, Colemen, Colmen, Coalmen, Colmin, Colmen, Coulmen, Coulmin, Colemin and many more.

Early Notables of the Coleman family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

King Cormac MacColeman

Coleman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Coleman is the 82^nd most popular surname with an estimated 236,265 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Coleman is ranked the 712^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,480 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Coleman is the 598^th popular surname with an estimated 77 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Coleman as 189^th with 16,820 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Coleman as 209^th with 2,696 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Coleman as 219^th with 26,288 people. 8

Coleman migration to the United States +

Many destitute Irish families in the 18th and 19th centuries decided to leave their homeland, which had in many ways been scarred by English colonial rule. One of the most frequent destinations for these families was North America where it was possible for an Irish family to own their own parcel of land. Many of the early settlers did find land awaiting them in British North America, or even later in America, but for the majority of immigrants that arrived as a result of the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the ownership of land was often a long way off. These Irish people were initially put to work on such industrial projects as the building of bridges, canals, and railroads, or they worked at manufacturing positions within factories. Whenever they arrived, the Irish made enormous contributions to the infant nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the earliest immigrants to bearer the name of Coleman were found through extensive research of immigration and passenger lists:

Coleman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Coleman, who landed in America in 1630 9
Henry Coleman, who arrived in Virginia in 1632 9
Katherine Coleman, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
Joseph Coleman, who arrived in New England in 1637 9
Robert Coleman, who landed in Virginia in 1637 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Coleman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Rota Coleman, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 9
Robert Coleman, who landed in Virginia in 1703 9
Geo Coleman, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 9
Philip Coleman, aged 50, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1740 9
Margaret Coleman, who landed in Virginia in 1744 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Coleman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Isaac, Coleman Jr., who arrived in America in 1803 9
John Coleman, who landed in America in 1804 9
Daniel Coleman, who arrived in Long Island in 1812 9
David Coleman, aged 33, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
Mrs. Coleman, who landed in New York NY in 1812 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Coleman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Coleman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Coleman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mary Coleman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Bartw Coleman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Bartholomew Coleman, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1754

Coleman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Bartholomew Coleman was a proprietor and occupier of fishing rooms at Trinity, Newfoundland in 1800
Andrew Coleman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1806
Patrick Coleman from Lismore, County Waterford, Ireland, settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1811 10
Patrick Coleman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1818
Patrick Coleman, aged 19, an apothecary, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Coleman migration to Australia +

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

Coleman Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Henry Coleman, (b. 1770), aged 27, English farmer who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1841 11
Miss Sarah Coleman, (Wilkinson, Salmon), (b. 1777), aged 21, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1853 12

Coleman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Coleman, British Convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Richard Coleman, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Patrick Coleman, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Norah Coleman, (Kellman), British Convict who was convicted in Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. James Coleman, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Coleman migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Coleman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J Coleman, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Indemnity 17
Thomas Coleman, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Thomas Coleman, aged 35, a baker, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
Rebecca Coleman, aged 36, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
James Coleman, aged 15, a baker, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Coleman migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Coleman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Coleman, (b. 1595), aged 40, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 19

Contemporary Notables of the name Coleman (post 1700) +

Alberta Coleman (1916-1983), American corporal in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Willie Lee Coleman (b. 1922), American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Charles Thomas Coleman (d. 2024), also known as Chuck Coleman, American aviator, aerospace engineer, airshow and test pilot
James H. Coleman Jr. (1933-2024), American lawyer and jurist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey (1994-2003)
George William Coleman (1939-2024), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River in Massachusetts from 2003 to 2014
Dabney Wharton Coleman (1932-2024), American actor who appeared in over 175 films and television programs and was recognized for both comedic and dramatic performances, winner of one Primetime Emmy Award from six nominations and one Golden Globe Award from three nominations
Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (1892-1926), first African American and first Native American to become a licensed airplane pilot, the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license
Eldridge Wayne Coleman (1943-2023), better known by his ring name "Superstar" Billy Graham, an American professional wrestler, WWWF Heavyweight Champion in 1977â€“1978. He was a three-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions
Lester Knox Coleman III (1943-2021), American who was the co-author of the 1993 book Trail of the Octopus: From Beirut to Lockerbie â€“ Inside the DIA
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman (b. 1996), American actress, singer and producer. She began her career as a child model and backup dancer, before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up In 2013 she competed on Dancing with the Stars. She become the youngest winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Some of her roles include The Greatest Showman, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far from Home
... (Another 231 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Coleman family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Bobby Lee Coleman (1965-1985), American Private 1st Class from Rochester, New York, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 20

Halifax Explosion

Mr. LeBaron Coleman (1851-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Mr. Vincent J. P. Coleman (1876-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. George Edward Coleman (1919-1941), Australian Wireman from Young, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 22

HMS Cornwall

Ernest Coleman (d. 1942), British Stoker Petty Officer aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 23

HMS Dorsetshire

William James Coleman (d. 1945), British Marine aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24

HMS Hood

Mr. Dennis J Coleman (b. 1922), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Chiddingly, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Royal Oak

Maurice George NewBerry Coleman (d. 1939), British Boy Telegraphist with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
Jack Alfred Coleman (1921-1939), British Boy Telegraphist with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
Edward William Coleman (1900-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26

Lady of the Lake

Miss Eliza Coleman (b. 1805), Irish traveller from Moville, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking

North Sea Flood

Harry W. Coleman, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

RMS Lusitania

Miss Susan Coleman, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Brooklyn, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 27

RMS Titanic

Mr. Albert Edward Coleman (d. 1912), aged 28, English Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 28
Mr. John Coleman (d. 1912), aged 57, English Mess Steward from Itchen, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 28
Mr. John Coleman (d. 1912), aged 57, English Mess Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 28

USS Indianapolis

Cedric Foster Coleman (1915-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 29
Robert Edward Bob Coleman Sr. (1926-2003), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he survived the sinking 29

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew