Surname Holloghan - Meaning and Origin
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Holloghan: What does the surname Holloghan mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Holloghan is uncertain. It is most commonly associated with Irish roots and is thought to be derived from the surname O hUallachain, which is derived from the Gaelic words Uallach, which means ‘strife’ or ‘contention’, and ‘-an’ which means ‘descendant of’. As such, the name Holloghan is believed to have originated as a family name which denotes descendancy from someone who was involved in a dispute or quarrel.
Although the exact meaning of the last name Holloghan is uncertain, in Irish culture the name is believed to be possessed by families with strong leadership who are known to be courageous, determined and reliable. This is seen to be symbolic of the former strife they endured.
Historically, those with the last name Holloghan could be found in the province of Connacht, particularly in the counties of Sligo and Leitrim. The surname can still be found in those counties today, as well as in other parts of Ireland such as Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Galway.
The name Holloghan is also found in various parts of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, suggesting it is also a popular name of emigrants who left Ireland during times of great upheaval.
Order DNA origin analysisHolloghan: Where does the name Holloghan come from?
The Holloghan surname is primarily associated with Ireland and is most common in Northern Ireland. Records show that as far back as 1690, Holloghans were living in the province of Ulster. This surname is still quite common in the area today.
To get an idea of the prevalence of the Holloghan surname in Northern Ireland, one would need to look at more recent data from the 1861, 1901, and 1911 census returns for the area - each of which show a great many people lucky enough to bear that surname.
More recently, the name is still quite common in most parts of Northern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Down, Antrim and Londonderry. However, it is more scarce in areas further south, such as the counties of Monaghan and Fermanagh.
The name is also found in Scotland, usually in places with long established Irish populations, such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is believed that many people bearing this name migrated to Scotland to escape the oppressive laws of the English during the 19th century.
Overall, the Holloghan surname is still quite common today, particularly in Northern Ireland. The 1800 census returns confirm that many families with the surname are living in the area - a testament to the long and rich history of this proud Irish name.
Variations of the surname Holloghan
The surname Holloghan is of Irish origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are:
Holloghane: This spelling is an Anglicised version of the letter 'O' being introduced once the name was adopted into the English language.
Hollohan: This version of the surname does not include the letter 'g'. This spelling may have come about from simplification or regional variation.
Holloway/Holway: These two spellings are very similar to the original and may be variations which developed from the original pronunciation.
Houlihan/Hoolihan: These two spellings are present in the western counties of Ireland such as Kerry, Clare, and Limerick.
Houlihane/Hoolihane: These two spellings are derived from the original and are believed to be associated with western counties in Ireland.
Halihan/Halihane: These two spellings are also found mainly in the western part of Ireland.
Hollichan/Hollichane: These two spellings are derived from the Gaelic 'O' which was commonly used in Irish surnames. They are found in Ulster, among other parts of the country.
Houlighan/Hooligan: These two spellings are similar to the original and are believed to be variations or regional dialect changes.
Hulla: This is a Scottish Gaelic version of the surname and is found mainly in the northern part of the country.
Holiahan/Holiahan: These two spellings are found mainly in counties such as Wexford and Kilkenny.
Holligan: This version is most likely the phonetic version of the original pronunciation which became adopted into the English language.
Hoolahan/Houlahan: These two spellings have been found mainly in the eastern counties of Ireland.
All of these variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, are a testament to the many changes and influences which have occurred over the years in Irish surnames. The original origin of the surname Holloghan is Irish, and its variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin, highlight how far it has come in its travels through different countries and continents.
Famous people with the name Holloghan
- Mark Wahlberg: American actor and producer
- Sean Holloghan: American television and film actor
- Terry Holloghan: Irish screenwriter, film producer and director
- Luke Holloghan: UK television presenter and actor
- David Holloghan: American director and producer
- Sue Holloghan: British actor and musician
- James Holloghan: Irish actor and comedian
- Kim Holloghan: Canadian actress and singer
- Mick Holloghan: Irish actor and comedian
- Mark Holloghan: English actor and writer