Surname Hylan - Meaning and Origin

Hylan: What does the surname Hylan mean?

The last name Hylan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic ‘O’hEillain’. This surname was originally associated with the Uí Niallain, a clan of the Kells region, County Meath in the province of Leinster. It is an anglicised form of the Irish patronymic name made from the French personal name ‘Helias’ or ‘Ó hEileáin’ which originates with the old Germanic ‘Adalshelm’ or ‘Adelhelm’. The prefix ‘O’ means ‘grandson’ and it was used as a form of differentiation between people with the same given name.

The name Hylan is significant as it is associated with the stories of aclann, which is the Irish scaling term for a clansman or clanswoman. It was first recorded in the year 1168, when Deacon Augustine O'Hiland was documented in Archbishop's Register. The Coat of Arms for the Hylan family comprises a blue shield with a silver chevron and three foxes’ heads. This could be interpreted as a symbol of vigilance for this noble family.

The history of the Hylan name is rooted in resiliency, loyalty, and bravery, passed down through generations of strong Irish clansmen and women. This name is associated with the ancient values and pride of the Irish people and their Celtic culture, and to this day reminds us of the importance of family and connection to care for and protect one another.

Hylan: Where does the name Hylan come from?

The last name Hylan is quite common in the United States today. The name originates from the Welsh spelling of "Hywel," a given name meaning "eminent" or "noble."

The most concentrated populations of the name Hylan are mainly found in America, especially the state of Michigan, which is home to over 17,000 people with the name. It is also very common in the states of New York, California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and South Carolina. According to the World Names Profiler, the last name Hylan is most prevalent in the United States and is growing at a rate of 0.2% per decade.

In addition to the United States, the last name Hylan is also popular in Scotland, with over 15,000 people bearing the name. Lastly, the name can be found in countries around the world, such as England, Ireland, Canada, France, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Hylan family name is often associated with hard work and determination. It has been said that the name was derived from the name of a medieval Welsh chieftain named Hywel who was in battle and held true to the loyalty of his family. As such, it is often thought that the name is a reflection of their courage and loyalty.

Variations of the surname Hylan

The surname Hylan has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Hyland, Hiland, Hieland, Hylland, Heland, Hilden, and Hildenbrand.

Hylan is a patronymic surname, derived from the name Hilan or Helan, which is itself derived from the Old Norse name Halen. The name Halen is derived from the Old Norse element “halr”, which means “rock”. It was used as a name to describe someone who lived on or near a rocky outcropping.

Hylan is an Irish surname found primarily in County Mayo, Ireland, but it may also be found in other parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom as well. It is typically spelled as "Hyland" or "Hiland".

The surnames Hyland, Hiland and Heland are usually found in Ireland and the United Kingdom, while Hieland, Hylland, Hilden and Hildenbrand are found primarily in Scotland and Scandinavia.

The many variants of the Hylan surname may have been used to differentiate based on regional dialect and pronunciation. In some cases, the surname may have been misspelled or altered due to immigration and assimilation. It is also possible that some of the variants have been deliberately adopted by different branches of a family, or due to a family name change.

Famous people with the name Hylan

• John Francis Hylan: John Francis Hylan was an American lawyer and politician who served as the Mayor of New York City from 1918 to 1925.
• James J. Hylan: James J. Hylan was a Democratic county leader of Kings County, New York.
• George Hylan: George Hylan was a pioneering American politician who was a prominent figure in the formative years of Brooklyn in the late 19th century.
• Anne Hylan: Anne Hylan is a professional cyclist from Idaho who currently competes for the Hagens Berman Axeon Cycling Team.
• Tom Hylan: Tom Hylan is an American soprano saxophonist and music educator.
• Curt Hylan: Curt Hylan is a retired American basketball player who competed in the National Basketball Association from 1978 to 1984.
• Bob Hylan: Bob Hylan is an American actor and filmmaker who has acted in numerous films and television shows.
• Bill Hylan: Bill Hylan is an American painter, sculptor and mixed media artist whose artwork has been featured in galleries around the world.
• Dwight Hylan: Dwight Hylan is a retired American golfer who won two European Tour events in the late 1970s.
• Mason Hylan: Mason Hylan is an American singer and songwriter who has released two full-length albums and three EPs.

Other surnames

HylandHylane