Surname Helehan - Meaning and Origin
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Helehan: What does the surname Helehan mean?
The origin of the surname Helehan is Irish in origin and is an anglicized form of the original Irish Gaelic Ó hEilidheáin. The root of the name is a combination of the Gaelic personal name Eilean, from the Latin word 'Haelan' meaning 'hero' and a variant form of the Gaelic word 'Ó', meaning 'descendant.' As a result, the surname Helehan translates literally to descendant of the hero'.
Helehan is most commonly found in County Clare. This is not surprising due to the area's rich history and the number of immigrants that descended from the original Gaelic settlers of Ireland. It is believed that the Helehan name was taken up by many of the earlier clans in Ireland, and is still found in County Clare, as well as other areas of Ireland and the U.K.
The Helehan name is known for its long noble history. In the mid-1600s, Patrick Helehan defied the English crown and proclaimed himself as Baron of Kilmolorum. Though the title was later revoked during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the Helehan family held the title of Lordship for several years.
Today, the Helehan name continues to carry a reputation of heroism and determination, as the original Helehans are remembered for their courage in the face of adversity. When the representatives of the English crown demanded all titles to be surrendered, Patrick Helehan refused. This act of defiance demonstrated the determination of the Helehan family and undoubtedly served as a testament to their loyalty and bravery.
Order DNA origin analysisHelehan: Where does the name Helehan come from?
Today, the Helehan surname is most commonly found in North America. It is primarily associated with Irish and, to a lesser extent, British ancestry, particularly those descended from immigrants of the 19th century.
As with many Irish surnames, some variations of spelling can be found, including Healon, Hellon, Hillen and Hillon. This surname is often given to the descendants of Helehan clans who emigrated to North America from Ireland at the height of the Great Famine in the 1840s.
The Helehan name is most commonly found in the United States, with large concentrations in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. However, the surname is also seen in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, where many of the Irish immigrants settled.
In addition to North America, the Helehan surname is found in some parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland. However, many of the Irish immigrants who used this surname had their origins in Ireland's nineteenth-century potato famine and emigrated to North America in search of a better life, where the Helehan surname has since become much more common.
Overall, the Helehan surname is most commonly found in the United States and Canada today. It is generally connected to families with Irish or British roots that trace back to this period of mass emigration.
Variations of the surname Helehan
The Helehan surname is of Irish origin. It originates from the personal name Ailín, which is a diminutive form of Ailbe. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Helehan, Heleahan, Helehanne, Heleyhan, Heleghan, Heleghen, Helenahan, Hellehan, Hellehanne, Helleghan, Hellaghan, Helaghan, and Hellahen.
The Helehan name is found mainly in County Mayo, County Galway and County Sligo in Ireland. It is sometimes listed as a sept of the O’Malley clan. It is also found in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it was introduced by settlers from Ireland in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The spelling variants of the name may also reflect regional variations in pronunciation, such as Hellaghan being pronounced in an Ulster accent. It is also possible that there may be a link between the Helehan surname and the O’Hallahan clan, which is a branch of the O’Connell clan.
The Helehan surname is sometimes found in the form of Helehanne, particularly in the western counties of Ireland. This could be an anglicized version of an Old Irish noun, Ailinne, meaning ‘of the Ailin’ family.
In summary, the Helehan surname is of Irish origin, and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of this surname include Helehan, Heleahan, Helehanne, Heleyhan, Heleghan, Heleghen, Helenahan, Hellehan, Hellehanne, Helleghan, Hellaghan, Helaghan, and Hellahen. The surname is mostly found in the west of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the spelling variants could indicate regional pronunciations or a potential link to another clan. It is also possible that Helehanne could be an anglicized version of an Old Irish noun.
Famous people with the name Helehan
- Denis Helehan: Australian professional footballer.
- James J. Helehan: member of the New Jersey General Assembly and a former assistant prosecutor for Essex County.
- John Helehan: Canadian author, journalist, and news producer.
- Stephen Helehan: retired Canadian lawyer and political scientist.
- Tom Helehan: American former professional basketball player.
- Niall Helehan: Irish actor and comedian known for his roles in Les Enfants du Lac and Home from Home.
- Martin Helehan: Irish tech executive, chairman, and investor.
- Sean Helehan: Irish singer-songwriter and composer known for his performances on the Irish trad-folk scene.
- Vanessa Helehan: Canadian stage and film actress known for her appearance in Beethoven’s Big Break.
- Michael Helehan: Australian professional rugby sevens player.
- Christine Helehan: British author, journalist, broadcaster and public speaker.
- John Helehan: Irish former track and field athlete.
- Brian Helehan: Irish former professional footballer.
- Paul Helehan: former Irish professional cricketer and umpire.