Sullivan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

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.