O'Sullivan is a surname of Irish origin. The surname is associated with the southwestern part of

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

, and was originally found in

County Tipperary County Tipperary () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. The county is named after the town of Tipperary (tow ...

and Kerry before the Anglo-Norman invasion. It is the third most numerous surname in Ireland. Roughly half of O'Sullivans hail from

, with around 50% of the O'Sullivans residing there.

History

consists of ''ó'' (

Old Irish Old Irish, also called Old Gaelic (, Ogham, Ogham script: ᚌᚑᚔᚇᚓᚂᚉ; ; ; or ), is the oldest form of the Goidelic languages, Goidelic/Gaelic language for which there are extensive written texts. It was used from 600 to 900. The ...

'' úa'') "grandchild, descendant", and the masculine

genitive case In grammar, the genitive case ( abbreviated ) is the grammatical case that marks a word, usually a noun, as modifying another word, also usually a noun—thus indicating an attributive relationship of one noun to the other noun. A genitive ca ...

of ''Súileabhán'', viz. ''Súileabhán's grandchild/descendant''. The female form in Modern Irish is ''Ní Shúileabhán''; "ní" is the shortened form of ''iníon uí'', ''iníon'' "daughter", ''uí'', the genitive of ''ó'' "grandchild, descendant". The

etymology Etymology ( ) is the study of the origin and evolution of words—including their constituent units of sound and meaning—across time. In the 21st century a subfield within linguistics, etymology has become a more rigorously scientific study. ...

of the given name is uncertain. In his book titled ''The Surnames of Ireland,'' genealogist

Edward MacLysaght Edgeworth Lysaght, later Edward Anthony Edgeworth Lysaght, and from 1920 Edward MacLysaght (; 6 November 1887 – 4 March 1986) was a genealogist of twentieth-century Ireland. His numerous books on Irish surnames built upon the work of Rev. Pat ...

states that “while there is no doubt that the basic word is súil (eye) there is a disagreement as to the meaning of the last part of the name.” It is interpreted as ''súildubhán'' ⇄ “little dark-eyed one” by Woulfe in ''Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall'', from '' súil ⇄'' "eye," '' dubh'' ⇄ "dark/black," and combined with the

diminutive suffix A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to belittle som ...

'' -án''. Other suggested etymologies include "one-eyed" and "hawk-eyed." The original bearer of the name, one Suilebhan mac Maolura, is recorded in legendary Irish genealogy as belonging to the 8th generation after

Fíngen mac Áedo Duib Fíngen mac Áedo Duib (Modern Irish: ''Finghin mac Aodha Dhuibh'', ) (died 618) was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eoganachta. He was the great-grandson of Feidlimid mac Óengusa, a previous king. He succeeded Amal ...

, and placed in the 9th century.''Irish Family History'', Dublin, 186
p. 237
Genealogy:

Óengus mac Nad Froích Óengus mac Nad Froích (430-489) was an Eoganachta and the first Christian King of Munster The kings of Munster () ruled the Kingdom of Munster in Ireland from its establishment during the Irish Iron Age until the High Middle Ages. Accordi ...

(d. 489, first Christian king of Munster),

Feidlimid mac Óengusa Feidlimid mac Óengusa (455-500), or Feidlimid Dub, was an Eoganachta King of Munster in the early 6th century. He was the son of Óengus mac Nad Froích, the first Christian king of Munster. The chronology of the 6th-century kings of Munster in ...

("Felim"), "Criomthan", "Hugh Dubh",

("Flan", d. 618), Seachnusa, Fiacha Laoch, Flan, Dubh-Jonracht, Murrogh, Eigherein, Maolura, Suilebhan. MacLysaght lists Mac Criomhthain (MacCrohan) and Mac Giolla Chuda (MacGillycuddy) as notable branches of the Súileabhánaigh in

County Kerry County Kerry () is a Counties of Ireland, county on the southwest coast of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is bordered by two other countie ...

. ''O'Sullivan'' is the regular anglicization of the Irish name. Less common spelling variants of the name include: Sullavan, Sullivant, Sillivant, Silliphant, and Sillifant. Some O'Sullivans in the

midlands The Midlands is the central region of England, to the south of Northern England, to the north of southern England, to the east of Wales, and to the west of the North Sea. The Midlands comprises the ceremonial counties of Derbyshire, Herefor ...

and south

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

were originally ''(O) Sullahan'' (from ''Ó Súileacháin'', probably from ''súileach'', quick-eyed, according to MacLysaght). This surname has now almost entirely changed to ''

Sullivan Sullivan may refer to: People Characters * Chloe Sullivan, from the television series ''Smallville'' * Colin Sullivan, a character in the film ''The Departed'', played by Matt Damon * Harry Sullivan (''Doctor Who''), from the British science f ...

''.

People with surname

A

* Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan (born 1984), Irish comedian, actress, and screenwriter *

Andy O'Sullivan (Irish republican) Andy O'Sullivan (died 22 November 1923) was an Irish militant and Republican activist who was an intelligence officer and regional leader in the Irish Republican Army (1919–1922), Irish Republican Army. He died during the 1923 Irish hunger str ...

, Irish republican hunger striker

C

Camille O'Sullivan Camille O'Sullivan is an Irish singer, musician, and actress. She is known for her unique, dramatic musical style and Cover version, covers of artists such as Radiohead, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Nick Cave, Sinéad O'Connor, and Shane MacGowan, S ...

(born 1975), Irish singer *

Cornelius O'Sullivan Cornelius O'Sullivan, FRS (20 December 1841 – 8 January 1907) was an Irish brewer's chemist. He was born the son of merchant James O'Sullivan of Bandon, County Cork and was educated locally, before winning a scholarship to study chemistry at th ...

(1841–1907), Irish brewer's chemist

D

Daniel O'Sullivan (disambiguation) Daniel, Danny or Dan O'Sullivan may refer to: *Daniel O'Sullivan (musician) (born 1980), English musician *Daniel O'Sullivan (priest) (1846–1928), Irish priest and theologian *Danny O'Sullivan (Australian rules footballer) (born 1952) *Danny O'Su ...

, several people * David O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several people *

Denis O'Sullivan (golfer) Denis O'Sullivan (born 11 March 1948) is an Irish former professional golfer. Career O'Sullivan won the 1985 Irish Amateur Close and the 1990 Irish Amateur Stroke Play, but did not turn professional until 1997, when he decided to try to qualify ...

(born 1948), Irish golfer * Denis J. O'Sullivan (1918–1987), Irish Fine Gael TD from Cork *

Denise O'Sullivan Denise Rebecca O'Sullivan (born 4 February 1994) is an Irish professional Association football, footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club North Carolina Courage, which she captains, and the Republic of ...

(born 1994), Irish footballer *

Diarmuid O'Sullivan Diarmuid O'Sullivan (born 27 July 1978) is an Irish hurling coach and hurler who plays for Cork Premier Championship club Cloyne. He played for the Cork senior hurling team for 12 years, during which time he usually lined out as a full-back. A ...

(born 1978), Irish sportsman *

Donal O'Sullivan (disambiguation) Donal O'Sullivan may refer to: *Donal O'Sullivan (artist) (1945–1991), Irish artist *Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare (1561–1613), last independent ruler of the O'Sullivan Beara clan *Donal O'Sullivan (Gaelic footballer) (1930–2001), Irish Gaelic f ...

, several people *

Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare, Prince of Beare, 1st Count of Berehaven (; 1560 – 16 July 1618) was an Irish nobleman and soldier who was the last independent Chief of the Name of Clan O'Sullivan. He was thus the last ''O'Sullivan Beare'', a title ...

(1561–1613), Irish chieftain *

Donie O'Sullivan (journalist) Donie O'Sullivan (born 24 March 1991) is a senior correspondent working for CNN in New York City. Born in Ireland, he holds both Irish and US citizenship. Early life Originally from Cahersiveen in County Kerry, O'Sullivan attended Coláiste n ...

(born 1991)

E

Eddie O'Sullivan Eddie O'Sullivan (born 21 November 1958) is an Irish rugby union coach, player (wing & fly-half) and a former Gaelic footballer. He is a former head coach of Buccaneers RFC the United States national rugby union team and of the Ireland nation ...

(born 1958), Irish rugby union coach and footballer *

Edward William O'Sullivan Edward William O'Sullivan (17 March 1846 – 25 April 1910) was an Australian journalist and politician. Early life and journalism O'Sullivan was born in Launceston, Tasmania, Launceston, Van Diemen's Land. His father deserted the family when ...

(1846–1910), Australian journalist and politician *

Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin (174829 June 1784), anglicized as Owen Roe O'Sullivan ("Red Owen"), was an Irish poet. He is known as one of the last great Gaelic poets. A recent anthology of Irish-language poetry speaks of his "extremely musical" p ...

(Owen Roe O'Sullivan, 1748–1782), Irish Gaelic poet *

Eugene D. O'Sullivan Eugene Daniel O'Sullivan (May 31, 1883 – February 7, 1968) was an American Democratic Party politician from Nebraska. He was born in on a cattle ranch near Kent, Kansas to John E. O'Sullivan and Josephine Kluh O'Sullivan on May 31, 1883. ...

(1883–1968), American Democratic Party politician from Nebraska

G

Gearóid O'Sullivan Gearóid O'Sullivan (28 January 1891 – 25 March 1948) was an Irish teacher, Irish language scholar, army officer, barrister and Sinn Féin and Fine Gael politician. Early life and education Jeremiah O'Sullivan was born in Coolnagurrane near S ...

(1891–1948), Irish teacher, Irish Republican Army officer, barrister and Sinn Féin and Fine Gael politician * Gerald Robert O'Sullivan VC (1888–1915), Irish soldier in the British Army, recipient of the Victoria Cross *

Gerry O'Sullivan Gerry O'Sullivan (10 April 1936 – 5 August 1994) was an Irish Labour Party politician from Cork. He was a long-serving member of Cork City Council, and was Lord Mayor of Cork from 1986 to 1987. O'Sullivan was elected to Dáil Éireann at ...

(1936–1994), Irish Labour Party TD *

Gilbert O'Sullivan Raymond Edward "Gilbert" O'Sullivan (born 1 December 1946) is an Irish singer-songwriter who achieved his most significant success during the early 1970s, with hits including " Alone Again (Naturally)", " Clair" and "Get Down". His songs are of ...

(born 1946), Irish-born, UK-based singer-songwriter, who had several hits in the 1970s *

Gillian O'Sullivan Gillian O'Sullivan (born 21 August 1976) is an Irish race walker. She set the unofficial world record in the 5000m walk in Belfast, United Kingdom since 2002 however, the IAAF have refused to verify it. She won a silver medal at the world ch ...

(born 1976), Irish race walker * Grace O'Sullivan (born 1962), Irish environmentalist and politician * Graham O'Sullivan, Kerry Gaelic footballer

H

* Harry Sullivan (baseball) (1888–1919), Major League Baseball pitcher *

Harry Stack Sullivan Herbert "Harry" Stack Sullivan (February 21, 1892 – January 14, 1949) was an American neo-Freudian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who held that "personality can never be isolated from the complex interpersonal relationships in which person liv ...

, American psychologist and psychoanalyst

J

* J. T. O'Sullivan (born 1979), American professional football player *

Jacquie O'Sullivan Jacquie O'Sullivan (born 7 August 1960)''Smash Hits'', 1988. Personal File: Jacqui O'Sullivan, p. 11 is an English singer and songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group Bananarama from 1988 until 1991, replacing Siobhan Fahey, who ...

(born 1960), British singer and songwriter *

Jan O'Sullivan Jan O'Sullivan (; born 6 December 1950) is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Education and Skills from 2014 to 2016 and as a Minister of State from 2011 to 2014. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Lime ...

(born 1950), Irish Labour Party politician, currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for Limerick East *

Jeremiah O'Sullivan Jeremiah O'Sullivan (February 6, 1842 – August 10, 1896) was an Irish-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Mobile from 1885 until his death in 1896. Biography Jeremiah O'Sullivan was born in Kanturk, County Cor ...

(1842–1896), Irish-born American Roman Catholic bishop * Jerry O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several people * John O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several people * Sir John O'Sullivan (c. 1700 – c. 1760), a professional soldier in the service of France, known for his involvement in the Jacobite rising of 1745.

K

Kevin O'Sullivan (baseball) Kevin Michael O'Sullivan (born December 27, 1968) is an American college baseball coach and former player. O'Sullivan is the current head coach of the Florida Gators baseball team of the University of Florida. O'Sullivan is best known for lead ...

(born 1968), American college baseball coach

L

* Laura O'Sullivan (born 1991), Welsh footballer * Louise O'Sullivan (born 1973), Irish telecommunications executive *

Lance O'Sullivan Lance Anthony O'Sullivan (born 28 August 1963) is a New Zealand Thoroughbred horse trainer and former champion jockey. Lance is the son of premiership winning horse trainer Dave O’Sullivan and the brother of Paul O'Sullivan. Riding caree ...

(born 1963), New Zealand jockey, retired

M

Maggie O'Sullivan Maggie O'Sullivan (born 1951) is a British poet, performer and visual artist associated with the British Poetry Revival. Life O'Sullivan was born in Lincoln, England, of Irish immigrant parents. She moved to London in 1971 and worked for the ...

(born 1951), British poet, performer and visual artist *

Marcus O'Sullivan Marcus O'Sullivan (born in Cork, Ireland on 22 December 1961) is an Irish retired middle-distance runner. He competed for Ireland at four Summer Olympics. After Steve Scott and John Walker, he is the third all-time by total of sub-4 minute ...

(born 1961), Irish coach and former middle-distance runner based in the United States * Mary Blanche O'Sullivan (1860 – ?), American teacher, writer and editor *

Maureen O'Sullivan Maureen Paula O'Sullivan (May 17, 1911 – June 23, 1998) was an Irish actress who played Jane in the ''Tarzan'' series of films during the era of Johnny Weissmuller. She starred in dozens of feature films across a span of more than half a ...

(1911–1998), Irish cinema actress * Michael O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several people * Michael J. Sullivan (born 1961), author *

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin (; 10 December 1950 – 7 November 2018) was an Irish musician, composer, academic and educationalist. Biography Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin was a pianist, composer, recording artist and academic; he held the Pr ...

(1950–2018), Irish composer and musician * Mickey O'Sullivan (1932–2012), American college baseball coach *

Muiris Ó Súilleabháin Muiris Ó Súilleabháin (; 19 February 1904 – 25 June 1950), anglicised as Maurice O'Sullivan, was an Irish author famous for his Irish language memoir of growing up on the Great Blasket Island and in Dingle, County Kerry, off the western c ...

(1904–1950), Irish writer; author of autobiography ''Fiche Blian ag Fás'' (Twenty Years A-Growing), a description of life on the Great Blasket Island.

N

Nóirín O'Sullivan Nóirín O'Sullivan (born 3 November 1960) is an Irish Garda Síochána, Garda who has served as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Europe at the International Association of Chiefs of Police since October 2017. She previously served as Garda ...

, first female Commissioner of the Garda Síochána

P

Paddy O'Sullivan Maureen Patricia O'Sullivan (3 January 1918 – 5 March 1994) was a member of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II and worked as a wireless operator for the French Section. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1918, the daughte ...

(1918–1994), female Special Operations Executive spy during World * Pádraig O'Sullivan, Irish Fianna Fáil politician *

Pat O'Sullivan Patricia B. O'Sullivan Lucey (September 1, 1926 – November 6, 2019) was an American amateur golfer. Early life She was born in New Haven, Connecticut, daughter of Marguerite Lawton and Patrick Brett O'Sullivan, a US Representative from Conn ...

, American amateur golfer who won the 1951 Titleholders Championship * Patrick O'Sullivan (born 1985), Canadian-born American professional ice hockey player * Patrick O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several people * Paul O'Sullivan Band (formed in 2014), Pop-Rock band where all four members are named Paul O'Sullivan. * Peter O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several people

R

Richard O'Sullivan Richard O'Sullivan (born 7 May 1944) is an English comedy actor. He is known for his role as Robin Tripp in the TV sitcoms ''Man About the House'' (1973–1976) and '' Robin's Nest'' (1977–1981) and as the title character in the period adven ...

(born 1944), English actor, notable for his sitcom roles in the 1970s and 1980s *

Ronnie O'Sullivan Ronald Antonio O'Sullivan (born 5 December 1975) is an English professional snooker player. Widely recognised as one of the most talented and accomplished players in snooker history, he has won the World Snooker Championship seven times, a m ...

(born 1975), English professional snooker player

S

Sean O'Sullivan (disambiguation) Sean O'Sullivan * Seán Ó Súilleabháin (1903–1996), folklorist involved in the Irish Folklore Commission * Sean O'Sullivan (baseball) (born 1987), Major League Baseball pitcher * Sean O'Sullivan (engineer), entrepreneur and engineer * Seán ...

, several people *

Seumas O'Sullivan Seumas or Seamus O'Sullivan (born James Sullivan Starkey; 17 July 1879 – 24 March 1958) was an Irish poetry, Irish poet and editor of ''The Dublin Magazine''. His father, William Starkey (1836–1918), a physician, was also a poet and a friend of ...

(1879–1958), Irish poet and editor of ''The Dublin Magazine'' *

Shawn O'Sullivan Shawn O'Sullivan (born May 9, 1962 in Toronto, Ontario) is a retired Canadians, Canadian Boxing, boxer who won gold at the World Amateur Championships in 1981 and the Olympic medalists in boxing, light middleweight silver medal at the ...

(born 1964), Canadian boxer *

Siobhan O'Sullivan Siobhan O'Sullivan (19 March 1974 – 17 June 2023) was an Australian political scientist and political theorist. She was an associate professor in the School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales. Her research focused, among other ...

(1974–2023), Australian political scientist and political theorist *

Sonia O'Sullivan Sonia O'Sullivan (born 28 November 1969) is an Irish former track and field athlete. She won a gold medal in the 5000 metres at the 1995 World Championships, and a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2000 Olympic Games. Her 2000 m ...

(born 1969), Irish Olympic runner, Sophie's mother *

Sophie O'Sullivan Sophie O'Sullivan (born 2001) is an Australian-born Irish athlete. She won a silver medal in the 800 metres at the 2018 European Athletics U18 Championships in Győr, Hungary. O'Sullivan won 1500 metres gold at the European Athletics U23 Cham ...

(born 2001) Irish Australian runner, Sonia's daughter * Stephanie O'Sullivan (born 1959), Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (USA)

T

Terence Patrick O'Sullivan Terence Patrick O'Sullivan (1913–1970) was a British civil engineer. He specialised initially in steel and reinforced concrete structures. Later he founded a firm of consulting engineers, T. P. O'Sullivan & Partners, which grew to have office ...

(1913–1970), English civil engineer *

Thomas C. O'Sullivan Thomas C. O'Sullivan (c. 1858 Michigan – July 29, 1913 Spring Lake, Monmouth County, New Jersey) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. Life He was educated in Vermont, and then taught school. He was Principal of the high schoo ...

(c. 1858–1913), New York politician and judge *

Timothy O'Sullivan (Fianna Fáil politician) Timothy (Ted) O'Sullivan (26 July 1899 – 3 March 1971) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician from County Cork. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for 27 years, and a Senator for 15 years. O'Sullivan was elected to Dáil Éireann at his first attempt, ...

(1899–1969), Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician *

Timothy H. O'Sullivan Timothy H. O'Sullivan ( – January 14, 1882) was an American photographer widely known for his work related to the American Civil War and the Western United States. Biography O'Sullivan was born , either in Ireland, moving to New York City tw ...

(c. 1840–1882), American Civil War photographer * Toddy O'Sullivan (1934–2021), Irish Labour Party politician * Tyrone O'Sullivan (1945–2023), Socialist and Chairman of Goitre Tower Anthracite Ltd., the owners of Tower Colliery.

V

Vince O'Sullivan Vincent John O'Sullivan (born February 23, 1957, in London, Greater London) is a retired male racewalker from the United States, who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics for ''Team USA''. He was fifth at the 1979 Pan American Games and also took ...

(born 1957), American racewalker *

Vincent O'Sullivan (American writer) Vincent O'Sullivan may refer to: * Vincent O'Sullivan (American writer) (1868–1940), American-born short story writer, poet and critic * Vincent O'Sullivan (New Zealand writer) (1937–2024), New Zealand poet, short story writer, novelist, playwr ...

(1868–1940), Decadent American writer *

Vincent O'Sullivan (New Zealand writer) Sir Vincent Gerard O'Sullivan (28 September 1937 – 28 April 2024) was a New Zealand poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, critic, editor, biographer, librettist, and academic. From 1988 to 2004 he was a professor of English literatu ...

(1937–2024), New Zealand poet

W

Wayne O'Sullivan Wayne St John O'Sullivan (born 25 February 1974) is an Irish retired professional Association football, footballer. Since retiring as a player he has worked as a coach. Born in Cyprus, O'Sullivan played youth football for Swindon Town F.C., Swin ...

(born 1974), Irish soccer player in Australia *

William S. O'Sullivan William S. O'Sullivan (January 31, 1928 – March 28, 1971) was an American loanshark and longtime enforcer for Donald Killeen, the head of the Irish mob in South Boston, Massachusetts. O'Sullivan also acted as a mentor to a young James J. Bulger ...

(1928–1971), Irish-American gangster

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Osullivan Anglicised Irish-language surnames Surnames of British Isles origin Surnames of Irish origin English-language surnames

History

People with surname

A

C

D

E

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

P

R

S

T

V

W

See also

References