O’ Sullivan

Gaelic: Ó Súilebháin

Variants: Sullivan, Sullahan, Sulevan, Soolivan

Motto: Lamh Foistenach Abú
“The Gentle hand to Victory”

Name Meaning: “Black Eyed or Hawk Eyed”

Famous O’Sullivans:
Maureen O’Sullivan – actress (Tarzan)
Gilbert O’Sullivan – singer (“Alone Again, Naturally”)

Famous Sullivans:
Ed Sullivan – TV variety show host
Anne Sullivan – teacher to Helen Keller
Arthur Sullivan – composer (Gilbert & Sullivan)

The O’Sullivans and Sullivans are the descendants of the 2 Gaelic Irish septs of Ó Súileabháin. The name O’Sullivan is derived from the Irish “Suil”, which can be interpreted as “Black eyed or Hawk eyed.” The O’Sullivans were originally located in County Tipperary and branched out into Counties Cork and Kerry. The name is ranked as the 3rd most prevalent in Ireland.

 

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