| ![Show Contents]() O'Dolan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of O'DolanWhat does the name O'Dolan mean? Throughout history, very few Irish surnames have exclusively maintained their original forms. Before being translated into English from Irish Gaelic, O'Dolan appeared as Ó Dobhailen or "Dubhshláin," which combines the Gaelic elements "Dubh," meaning dark, with "shláin," meaning challenge or defiance. 1 Early Origins of the O'Dolan familyThe surname O'Dolan was first found in Leinster, where they are believed to be descended from Eochaidh, King of Leinster, and became one of the "Seven septs of Leix." However, the name is "fairly common to-day in Ulster - in the Catholic areas of Counties Cavan and Fermanagh - and in the Counties of Roscommon and Galway in Connacht. In the census of 1659 the name appears principally in Counties Roscommon and Fermanagh." 2 Early History of the O'Dolan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Dolan research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1834 and 1914 are included under the topic Early O'Dolan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Dolan Spelling VariationsMany spelling variations of the surname O'Dolan can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Dolan, Doland, Dooley, Dowling, Doolin, Doolan, O'Dooley, O'Dolan, O'Doolin, Dollan, Dolland, Dooland, Dowlling, Doolley and many more. Early Notables of the O'Dolan familyMore information is included under the topic Early O'Dolan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the O'Dolan familyA great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the O'Dolan name: Jimmy, Michael, John, Patrick, and Thomas Dolans, Doolins, Dowlings, landed at Philadelphia in the 1800's and made their way to different railroad sites to make their fortune.
- MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
- MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
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