Boylan — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: O Baoighealain
Meaning: uncertain, possibly related to 'vain' or 'proud'
Traditional stronghold: Meath, Cavan
Pronunciation: BOY-lan
History of the Boylan name
Boylan is generally traced to O Baoighealain, a sept established in Meath and Cavan whose exact meaning is uncertain, though it may relate to a root suggesting pride or vanity. The family remained a modest, localised one through the medieval period, without rising to major power, and the surname has stayed strongly associated with the midlands into modern times, notably through a long-serving Meath Gaelic football manager whose decades in charge made him a household name in the sport.
Variants: Boland (related) · Boyland · O'Boylan
Famous bearers of the name
- Sean Boylan — Meath Gaelic football manager who led the county to multiple All-Ireland titles
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Kelly · Brady · O'Reilly · McGowan · Smith · Clarke · McCabe · Plunkett