Sheehan
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Sheehan Surname Genealogy
Sheehan is the anglicization of the Gaelic O'Siodhachain, from siodhach meaning "peaceful." The Sheehan sept has traditionally used a dove of peace in its coat of arms.
Sheehan name variants are Sheahan and Sheen. These have mainly appeared outside Ireland. The following are the approximate numbers of Sheehans, Sheahans, and Sheens around today.
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Ireland. The Sheehan sept is believed to have originated in county Clare, but had moved southward to Kilcredin parish in county Cork by the 14th century. Spellings in the 17th century show O'Sheaghan and Shyghan, as well as Sheehan. Cork, Kerry, and Limerick are counties where the Sheehan name is most found today.
Cork was particularly hard hit by the famine in the 1840's. Many Sheehans left at that time, to America and elsewhere. The Sheehan numbers are now larger outside Ireland than within.
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D.D. Sheehan was an Irish nationalist agitator and politician who became editor of the Dublin Chronicle in the 1920's.
Michael Sheehan, Archbishop of Sydney in Australia in the 1920's and 30's, was a great proponent of the revival of the Irish language.
Winfield Sheehan was Fox Film's producer and general manager during the 1920's and '30's.
Barry Sheene, born in London, was a world champion motorcycle racer of the 1970's.
Martin Sheen, the film actor, changed his name from Ramon Estevez because he thought he would gain more recognition with an Irish name than with a Spanish one.
Select Sheehans Today
Sheehan is the anglicization of the Gaelic O'Siodhachain, from siodhach meaning "peaceful." The Sheehan sept has traditionally used a dove of peace in its coat of arms.
Sheehan name variants are Sheahan and Sheen. These have mainly appeared outside Ireland. The following are the approximate numbers of Sheehans, Sheahans, and Sheens around today.
| Numbers (000's) |
Sheehans |
Sheahans |
Sheens |
| Ireland |
9 |
1 |
- |
| UK |
6 |
- |
3 |
| America |
10 |
1 |
1 |
| Elsewhere |
8 |
1 |
1 |
Select Sheehan Resources on The Internet
- Sheehan. Sheehan clan history.
- Sheehan Family US. Sheehan family blog.
Ireland. The Sheehan sept is believed to have originated in county Clare, but had moved southward to Kilcredin parish in county Cork by the 14th century. Spellings in the 17th century show O'Sheaghan and Shyghan, as well as Sheehan. Cork, Kerry, and Limerick are counties where the Sheehan name is most found today.
Cork was particularly hard hit by the famine in the 1840's. Many Sheehans left at that time, to America and elsewhere. The Sheehan numbers are now larger outside Ireland than within.
Select Sheehan Names
D.D. Sheehan was an Irish nationalist agitator and politician who became editor of the Dublin Chronicle in the 1920's.
Michael Sheehan, Archbishop of Sydney in Australia in the 1920's and 30's, was a great proponent of the revival of the Irish language.
Winfield Sheehan was Fox Film's producer and general manager during the 1920's and '30's.
Barry Sheene, born in London, was a world champion motorcycle racer of the 1970's.
Martin Sheen, the film actor, changed his name from Ramon Estevez because he thought he would gain more recognition with an Irish name than with a Spanish one.
Select Sheehans Today
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