The surname Oillic, also spelled as O'Leary, O'Lery, or O'Lirigh, is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Ó hEireartaigh, which translates to "descendant(s) of Eirc/Eircheachtach". The name is primarily found in County Cork and is a part of the southern Irish septs that claim descent from Erc, son of King Niall of the Nine Hostages.
The Anglicization of Irish surnames often resulted in variations due to the challenges of translating Gaelic names into English. In this case, O'Leary emerged as one such variant of Ó hEireartaigh.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Oillic
The meaning and origin of the last name Oillic
The surname Oillic is of Irish origin, specifically from County Mayo in western Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic "Ó hUidhrín," which means "descendant of Uidhirín." Uidhirín was a personal name that probably derived from an old Irish word "uidhir" meaning "pleasant," or possibly from "údhar," meaning "dark." The family's historical territories were around Ballinrobe and Knockranny. Like many Irish names, the surname Oillic underwent anglicization during British rule in Ireland, resulting in various spellings such as O'Hoolick, Hoolick, and Hollick over time. Today, the surname is relatively rare but still found predominantly among the Irish diaspora worldwide.
Geographical distribution of the last name Oillic
The surname Oillic is primarily found in France, with a significant concentration in the Brittany region, particularly in the departments of Finistère and Côtes-d'Armor. This can be attributed to the Breton ethnic group, who historically inhabited the region and have unique cultural and linguistic traditions. However, the name also appears in Quebec, Canada, as a result of French colonization and immigration. Additionally, some individuals with the last name Oillic can be found in other French-speaking countries such as Belgium and Switzerland, due to historical migration patterns. Overall, while the distribution of the surname Oillic is relatively limited compared to more common names, it remains concentrated in regions with a strong French or Breton influence.
Variants and spellings of the last name Oillic
The surname Oillic may have various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time, as well as regional dialects. Some of these variations include O'Lyons, O'Leon, O'Leone, O'Leyn, O'Leynes, O'Leyniss, O'Leynos, O'Leyny, O'Leynys, and O'Lion among others. These variations arise from the Anglicization of Gaelic names that originally began with Mac Lios, meaning "son of Lios," which is derived from the Old Irish name Liathán or Leithéan, meaning "gray one." The Mac Lios family was historically associated with County Tipperary in Ireland.
Famous people with the last name Oillic
The O'Neill family is well-known for producing several notable individuals with the surname O'Neill, which originates from the Gaelic Ó Néill meaning "descendant of Niall". One of the most renowned figures is Daniel Patrick O'Neill, better known as Danny O'Neil, an American professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Another significant figure is Conor O'Neill, a British-Irish actor and model, best recognized for his roles in films such as "Sherlock Holmes" and "The Tudors". In the field of science, Sir Robert O'Neill, an Australian astronomer, is notable for his work on star formation and stellar evolution. Lastly, John Joe O'Neill, a Northern Irish footballer, played professionally for teams like Manchester United and Celtic before becoming a manager in the Football League. These individuals demonstrate the diverse accomplishments of those with the surname O'Neill across various fields.
Genealogical research on the last name Oillic
The surname Oillic is believed to have origins in France, specifically in the Brittany region. One variant, Huillard, can be traced back to the medieval period, with recorded instances in the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old Breton "ol" meaning 'oak' and "ar" meaning 'high place', suggesting a geographical location marked by an oak tree on high ground. Over time, the name evolved into its modern form through various phonetic changes as families migrated across Europe. In Scotland, for instance, the name was anglicized to Ollard or Olard. With further migrations, the surname Oillic can be found in various parts of the world today, including Canada and the United States.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Oile" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "welh" which means "foreigner" or "Welshman". It was originally used as a nickname for someone fr...
The last name "oilerua" does not appear to have a known origin or meaning in English. It may be a rare or unique surname without a widely recognized etymology.
It appears that the last name "oilucab" does not have a specific origin or meaning in English. It is possible that the name could be a rare or unique surname with no identifiable h...
