Sheehan Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Sheehan mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Sheehan name
Sheehan comes from Ó Síodhacháin, "descendant of Síodhachán", a diminutive of síodhach, "peaceful". The family was a branch of the Dál gCais of north Munster, the kindred of Brian Boru, and the name is now most common in Cork, Kerry and Limerick. Sheehan is also well known among the Irish in England and the United States.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Sheehan name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Sheehan name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, England and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Sheehan pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Sheehan coat of arms for you.
Sheehan name FAQ
What does the Sheehan name mean?
Descendant of Síodhachán ("peaceful"). Common variants include Sheahan, O'Sheehan, Sheehane.
Where does the Sheehan surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, England and Australia.
Is there a Sheehan coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Sheehan crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Sheehan coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).