Where Does the O'Sullivan Surname Come From?

O'Sullivan sits within the Sullivan family of names, which has Irish roots.

What is the meaning of O'Sullivan?

Its meaning, shared with Sullivan, is “Descendant of Súileabhán (from súil, "eye")”.

Is O'Sullivan the same name as Sullivan?

With its O' prefix, O'Sullivan keeps Sullivan intact and marks descent in the older style. The same family of names includes Sullavan.

Does every O'Sullivan family have a crest?

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Sullivan surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon.

Get the complete O'Sullivan report, with a museum-style coat of arms.