DONLAN DONLANDonlan Family of Ballydonnelan, Galway
The surname Donlan is a very rare name, comparatively speaking, and appears to be patrimonial in origin. Research indicates that it can be associated with the Irish, meaning:
"Grandson of little Domhnall (World Mighty)."
Knowing that different spellings of the same original surname are
a common occurrence, probable spelling variations of the DONLAN surname could
be:
The most numerous being DONNELLAN occurs in the Baronies of Clonderalaw, Islands: Moyarta, Burren, Corcomroe and Inchiquin, Bunratty Upper and Lower, Tulla Upper and Lower and Ibrickan. It also occurs in the parishes of Kilmihil, Clondagad and Kilmurry.
Today there are approximately 225 million Americans living in over 77 million households. Of these, DONLAN research has led to 726 households; estimates to be a total of approximately 1024 DONLAN households. There is a total population of some 2877 who proudly bear this distinguished family name. They live in 39 of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
from "www.donlon.org - Geneology...""The name Donlan (or Donnellan) is from the Irish name O Domhnall�in, meaning son of Domhnall (Donal or Donnell). From the eleventh century, the O Domhnall�ins were a noted bardic family seated at Ross-O'Donelan, near Elphin in Roscommon. They settled in the area of U� Maine, in mid-Galway South Roscommon. The O Domhnall�ins were a branch of the ancient Clann Bresail, chieftains of U� Maine. This area was ruled mainly by U� Cheallaigh (the O'Kelly clan), also of Clann Bresail, but some of the progenitors of U� Dhomhnall�in were of U� Cheallaigh and also ruled U� Maine.
from "Donlon Family History, Ireland"
