Contents [hide]

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

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Sources

Sullivan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland-Alt
Ireland
England

Etymology of Sullivan

What does the name Sullivan mean?

The old Gaelic name used by the Sullivan family in Ireland was Ó Suileabhain, which is partially derived from the word "suil," which means "eye." The surname probably means either one-eyed or hawk-eyed.

Early Origins of the Sullivan family

The surname Sullivan was first found in the territory of Cahir in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster. The Sullivan spelling is by far the most common name in Munster, and is predominantly found in the counties of Cork and Kerry, with a smaller but still significant population in County Limerick. 1

Early History of the Sullivan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sullivan research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1560, 1590, 1618, 1660, 1700, 1710, 1745, 1784 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Sullivan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sullivan Spelling Variations

One name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer because one must realize that attempting to record a Gaelic name in English is a daunting task at the best of times. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Sullivan family name include O'Sullivan, Sullivan and others.

Early Notables of the Sullivan family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Donall O'Sullivan Beare (1560-1618), Chief of the sept of his name in the district of Beare, co. Cork, who "engaged actively in the hostile movements in Ireland against the government of England in th...
Phillip O'Sullivan Beare (1590-1660), was a soldier in the Spanish army who is best remembered as a historian; and Colonel John O'Sullivan (b. 1700) was a companion to the "Young Pretender" who led th...
Owen Roe O'Sulliavan (1700?-1784) was Gaelic poet, called in Irish Eoghan Ruadh, or Red-haired Sullivan, was born about 1700 in Slieve Luachra, co. Kerry, and was one of the chief Jacobite poets of th...
Timothy Sullivan (1710?-1800), was another Irish poet, called in Irish Tadhg Gaolach, or Irish Teague; he was born in co. Cork about 1710. 2

Sullivan World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sullivan is the 105^th most popular surname with an estimated 201,447 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Sullivan is ranked the 266^th most popular surname with an estimated 15,691 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Sullivan is the 106^th popular surname with an estimated 318 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Sullivan as 134^th with 20,412 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Sullivan as 238^th with 2,476 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Sullivan as 288^th with 21,142 people. 8

Sullivan migration to the United States +

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Sullivan or one of its variants:

Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jael Sullivan, who landed in Massachusetts in 1654 9
Onoris Sullivan, who landed in Virginia in 1656 9
Teage Sullivan, who arrived in Maryland in 1658 9
Florence Sullivan, who arrived in South Carolina in 1669 9
Jeremy Sullivan, who landed in Maryland in 1670 9

Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alice Sullivan, who landed in Virginia in 1715 9
Joan Sullivan, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1745 9
Austis Sullivan, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 9
Honour Sullivan, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 9
David Sullivan, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1765 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Corn Sullivan, aged 17, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 9
Dennis H Sullivan, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1811 9
Sylvester Sullivan, aged 21, who landed in New York in 1812 9
Silvester Sullivan, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
Michael J Sullivan, aged 15, who arrived in America in 1822 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sullivan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Frank Sullivan, who landed in Mississippi in 1902 9

Sullivan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sullivan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Daniel Sullivan, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Daniel Sullivan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Dennis Sullivan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Darby Sullivan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Michael Sullivan, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sullivan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Thomas Sullivan, who arrived in Quebec in 1803
John Sullivan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1808
John Sullivan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1813
Patrick Sullivan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1813
James Sullivan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1819
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sullivan migration to Australia +

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

Sullivan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Michael Sullivan, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1802 10
Mr. Patrick Sullivan, Irish convict who was convicted in Kerry, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Dennis Sullivan, British Convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Mary Sullivan, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Timothy Sullivan, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sullivan 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:

Sullivan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Edward Sullivan, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
John Sullivan, who landed in Mahurangi, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Ellen Sullivan, aged 29, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
John Sullivan, aged 10, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Daniel Sullivan, aged 8, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Sullivan (post 1700) +

Edward Vincent "Ed" Sullivan (1901-1974), American entertainment writer and television host, best known for the TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show which ran for 23 years
Leon Howard Sullivan (1922-2001), American Baptist minister, civil rights leader and social activist, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO (1842-1900), English composer, best known for collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado
Daniel Joseph Sullivan (1939-2025), American professional football player, offensive lineman for the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League (1962-1972), started in two Super Bowls for the Colts, including their win in Super Bowl V
Thomas Russell Sullivan (1849-1916), American writer, best known for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, an 1887 stage adaptation of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Kevin Francis Sullivan (1949-2024), American professional wrestler and booker, known for his role in World Championship Wrestling
Samantha "Sammy" Sullivan (b. 1998), American rugby sevens player, who competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Gordon Russell Sullivan (1937-2024), United States Army general, 32nd Chief of Staff of the Army and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Leo D. Sullivan (1940-2023), American writer and Emmy Award winning director of animated films, and a pioneer in black animation, known for his work with Bob Clampett Productions, inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1991
John Peter Sullivan (1941-2023), American Major League Baseball catcher and coach from Somerville, New Jersey
... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Sullivan family +

Flight 191

Nancy T Sullivan (d. 1979), American from San Diego, California, USA, aged 32, who worked aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 13

Grover Shoe factory

Mr. John N. Sullivan, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he died 14

Halifax Explosion

Miss Helen Sullivan (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Miss Ethel Sullivan (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mr. Daniel Sullivan (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mrs. Mary Sullivan (1879-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mr. Gerald Sullivan (1914-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood

Mr. Frank D Sullivan (b. 1906), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Ilkestone, Derbyshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 16
Mr. Albert Sullivan (b. 1911), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Manchester, Lancashire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 16

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Sullivan, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 17

Monongah Mine

Mr. Jake Sullivan (b. 1881), Polish coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah Mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died 18

Pemberton Mill

Miss Margaret Sullivan, factory worker in the Pemberton Mill on 10th January 1860 when the mill collapsed trapping 900 workers as rescue attempts continued into the night, an oil lantern was knocked over further engulfing the trapped workers in fire, she died

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Florence Sullivan, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Boston, Massachusetts, USA returning to Ireland, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 19
Mrs. Julia Sullivan, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Boston, Massachusetts, USA returning to Ireland, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 19
Mr. George Sullivan, American 2nd Class passenger from Groton, Connecticut, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 20
Mrs. Emily Sullivan, American 2nd Class passenger from Groton, Connecticut, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 20

RMS Titanic

Mr. S. Sullivan, aged 25, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 9 21

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Patrick Sullivan (b. 1876), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 22
Mr. William Sullivan (b. 1878), Welsh coal miner from Penyrheol, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 22

SS Atlantic

Cornelius Sullivan, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
M. Sullivan, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
Michael Sullivan, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
Patrick Sullivan, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
Ellen Sullivan, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
... (Another 4 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

SS Caribou

Mr. Arthur Adrian Sullivan (b. 1915), British passenger who was Seargent P.E.I. Highlanders from Summerside, Prince Edward Island was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. Aubry R. Sullivan, American Coxswain working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 23

USS Indianapolis

James Patrick Sullivan, 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 24
William Daniel Sullivan, 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 24

The Sullivan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Lamh foistenach abú
Motto Translation: The steady hand to victory.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"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)
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
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
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
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
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. Retrieved from https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . 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
Universal Colliery Senghenydd 1913 disaster retrieved 21st September 2019, retrieved from http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/deathrolls/SenghenyddDead1913.htm
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew