O'Callaghan () or simply Callaghan without the prefix (anglicized from '' Ó Ceallacháin'') is an Irish surname.

Origin and meaning

Munster

The surname means descendant of Ceallachán who was the

Eóganachta The Eóganachta or Eoghanachta () were an Irish dynasty centred on Cashel which dominated southern Ireland (namely the Kingdom of Munster) from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of Desmond, an ...

King of Munster The kings of Munster ( ga, Rí Mumhan), ruled from the establishment of Munster during the Irish Iron Age, until the High Middle Ages. According to Gaelic traditional history, laid out in works such as the '' Book of Invasions'', the earliest ...

from AD 935 until 954. The personal name Cellach means 'bright-headed'. The principal Munster

sept A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ( ...

of the name Callaghan were lords of Cineál Aodha in South Cork originally. This area is west of Mallow along the Blackwater river valley. The family were dispossessed of their ancestral home and by the

Cromwellian Plantation Plantations in 16th- and 17th-century Ireland involved the confiscation of Irish-owned land by the English Crown and the colonisation of this land with settlers from Great Britain. The Crown saw the plantations as a means of controlling, an ...

and settled in

East Clare East Clare was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) from 1885 to 1922. Prior to the 1885 United Kingdom general election the area was part of the Clare (UK Parl ...

. In 1994,

Thomas O'Callaghan Thomas O'Callaghan (11 April 18451 September 1931) was an Australian police officer and Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1902 to 1913. Early life O'Callaghan was born on 11 April 1845 in Hartley near Windsor along the Hawkesbury River ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

was recognised by the Genealogical Office as the senior descendant in the male line of the last inaugurated O'Callaghan. He is still wildly known as the true king of Munster and the people of Munster await his return to Munster for him to retake the throne. The O'Callaghan land near Mallow, forfeited by Donough O'Callaghan after the Irish rebellion of 1641, came into the hands of a family called Longfield or Longueville, who built a 20-bedroom Georgian mansion there. In a twist of history, of the ancient O'Callaghan land returned to O'Callaghan hands in the twentieth century, when Longueville House was bought by a descendant of Donough O'Callaghan. The ancestral estate of the O'Callaghans, now a luxury hotel, is owned by William O'Callaghan.

Oriel

An entirely different sept, Ó Ceileacháin in Irish, is to be found in the counties Armagh, Louth, Meath and Monaghan. It has been anglicised as Callaghan, Kelaghan, Keelaghan, Kealahan and other variants. In

County Meath County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the sou ...

, where it is widespread but has been found mainly in the parishes of Kells,

Trim Trim or TRIM may refer to: Cutting * Cutting or trimming small pieces off something to remove them ** Book trimming, a stage of the publishing process ** Pruning, trimming as a form of pruning often used on trees Decoration * Trim (sewing), or ...

and

Athboy Athboy () is a small agricultural town located in County Meath. The town is located on the ''Yellow Ford River'', in wooded country near the County Westmeath border. Local Clubs are Clann Na nGael and Athboy Celtic. History In medieval tim ...

, it is mainly anglicised as Callahan, Callaghan or O'Callaghan (with local spelling variants). In

County Westmeath "Noble above nobility" , image_map = Island of Ireland location map Westmeath.svg , subdivision_type = Sovereign state, Country , subdivision_name = Republic of Ireland, Ireland , subdivision_type1 = Provinces o ...

it is found in the form Kellaghan and Kelleghan. In

County Monaghan County Monaghan ( ; ga, Contae Mhuineacháin) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Ulster and is part of Border strategic planning area of the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Cou ...

it is often found as Keelan. Members of the Ó Ceileacháin family were mentioned in the

Annals of the Four Masters The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' ( ga, Annála Ríoghachta Éireann) or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' (''Annála na gCeithre Máistrí'') are chronicles of medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Deluge, dated as 2,24 ...

as being lords of Uí Breasail, a district on the southern shore of

Lough Neagh Lough Neagh ( ) is a freshwater lake in Northern Ireland and is the largest lake in the island of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the British Isles. It has a surface area of and supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's water. Its main inflows come ...

, and priors of

Armagh Armagh ( ; ga, Ard Mhacha, , "Macha's height") is the county town of County Armagh and a city in Northern Ireland, as well as a civil parish. It is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland – the seat of the Archbishops of Armagh, the Pri ...

in the 11th century.Annála Rioghachta Éireann: Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland
/ref>

People

Callaghan

* Amanda Callaghan, British entomologist *

Amy Callaghan Amy Callaghan (born 21 May 1992) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for East Dunbartonshire since the 2019 general election. She unseated the then Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, with a narr ...

(born 1992), British Member of Parliament elected 2019 *

Andrew Callaghan Andrew Thomas Callaghan (born April 23, 1997) is an American journalist. He is the creator and star of the YouTube series ''All Gas No Brakes'' and '' Channel 5''. Early life Andrew Thomas Callaghan was born in Philadelphia on April 23, 1997 ...

(born 1997), American journalist *

Catherine Callaghan Catherine "Cathy" Callaghan (October 31, 1931 – March 16, 2019) was Professor Emerita in the Department of Linguistics at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She received a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of California, Berkel ...

(1931–2019), American linguist * Daniel J. Callaghan (1890–1942), Rear Admiral, US Navy * Ernie Callaghan (1910–1972), association footballer *

Fred Callaghan Frederick John Callaghan (19 December 1944 – 13 September 2022) was an English professional association football, footballer, who made over 290 appearances in the Football League for Fulham F.C., Fulham as a left back. After retiring as a pla ...

(born 1944), footballer with Fulham *Sir

George Callaghan Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Astley Callaghan (21 December 1852 – 23 November 1920) was an officer in the Royal Navy. During the Boxer Rebellion he served as commander of a naval brigade sent ashore to form an element of a larger expediti ...

(1852–1920), officer in the Royal Navy * Georgina Callaghan, who performs as Callaghan, British musician * Guy Callaghan (born 1970), New Zealand butterfly swimmer *

Ian Callaghan Ian Robert Callaghan MBE (born 10 April 1942) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He holds the record for most appearances for Liverpool. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) ...

(born 1942), English footballer *

James Callaghan Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, ( ; 27 March 191226 March 2005), commonly known as Jim Callaghan, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980. Callaghan is ...

(1912–2005), British prime minister during the Winter of Discontent *John Callaghan (born 1960), Principal & Chief Executive Solihull College & University Centre * John Carter Callaghan (1923–2004), Canadian cardiac surgeon * Leanne Callaghan (born 1972), British ski mountaineer and mountain climber *

Marissa Callaghan Marissa Callaghan (born 2 September 1985) is a Northern Irish women's association football player from Belfast, Northern Ireland. She currently plays as a player-coach as a midfielder for Cliftonville Ladies and is the captain of the Northern Ir ...

(born 1985), football player from Northern Ireland * Mary Callaghan, Irish

Social Democrats Social democracy is a political, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocating economic and social interventions to promote so ...

politician *

Morley Callaghan Edward Morley Callaghan (February 22, 1903 – August 25, 1990) was a Canadian novelist, short story writer, playwright, and TV and radio personality. Biography Of Canadian/English-immigrant parentage,Clara Thomas, ''Canadian Novelists 192 ...

(1903–1990), Canadian writer, playwright, and media personality * Patrick Callaghan (1879–1959), Scottish footballer *

Sheila Callaghan Sheila Callaghan (born 1973) is a playwright and screenwriter who emerged from the RAT ( Regional Alternative Theatre) movement of the 1990s. She has been profiled by ''American Theater Magazine'', "The Brooklyn Rail", ''Theatermania'', and ''Th ...

(born 1973), American playwright *

Steve Callaghan Steve Callaghan is an American screenwriter, producer and voice actor, best known for his work on ''Family Guy''. He is a graduate of the Department of Public Policy at the UCLA School of Public Affairs. Callaghan started his career in 1999 as a ...

, writer of ''Family Guy'' TV series * Stuart Callaghan (born 1976), Scottish footballer * Tabby Callaghan (born 1981), Irish guitarist and singer-songwriter *

Terry Callaghan Terence Vincent Callaghan (born 1945) is a British biologist specialized in the ecology of the Arctic. Much of his work on arctic plants has taken place in Abisko in northernmost Sweden, based at the Abisko Scientific Research Station where he s ...

, British Arctic ecologist * William M. Callaghan (1897–1991), Admiral, US Navy; commander of the battleship ''Missouri''

O'Callaghan

*Aidan O’Callaghan (born 1997): Contributor BBC3 One Hot Summer *

Barry O'Callaghan Barry O'Callaghan (born 1969) is a business executive and financier. Currently he is the Chairman and CEO of Rise Global. He formerly led Riverdeep for a decade, later known as EMPG and HMH. He grew the small educational software company into th ...

(born 1969): CEO of Riverdeep Interactive Learning *

Bill O'Callaghan William Henry O’Callaghan (1868 – 16 January 1946) was an Irish hurler who played as a forward for the Cork senior team. Born in Cork, O'Callaghan first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty-four when he first linked up ...

(1868–1946): Irish hurler *

Billy O'Callaghan Billy O'Callaghan (born 9 December 1974) is an Irish short fiction writer and novelist. He is best known for his short-story collection ''The Things We Lose, The Things We Leave Behind'', which was awarded the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Award ...

(born 1974): Irish novelist and short-story writer *

Cian O'Callaghan Cian O'Callaghan (born 7 May 1979) is an Irish Social Democrats politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Bay North constituency since the 2020 general election. In 2012, as a member of Fingal County Council, he became Irela ...

(born 1979) : politician, Irish Social Democrats * Con O'Callaghan (decathlete) (born 1908): Ireland's first Olympic decathlete; brother of

Pat O'Callaghan Patrick "Pat" O'Callaghan (28 January 1906 – 1 December 1991) was an Irish people, Irish Athletics (sport), athlete and Olympic Games, Olympic Olympic Gold Medal, gold medallist. He was the first athlete from Ireland to win an Olympic medal un ...

* David O'Callaghan (dual player) (born 1983) * David O'Callaghan (Kerry Gaelic footballer) (born 1987) * Denis O'Callaghan (born 1949): Australian rules footballer *

Donncha O'Callaghan Donncha O'Callaghan (born 24 March 1979) is an Irish retired rugby union player. He spent most of his career with his home province Munster, spending 17 seasons with the province and winning five major trophies, before finishing his career with ...

(born 1979): Irish international rugby union player *

Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan, (probably 27 February 1797 – 29 May 1880) was a doctor and journalist. Career Born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, he studied medicine in Paris and immigrated to Lower Canada in 1823 where he became involved i ...

(1797–1880): doctor, journalist, and leader of political movements in Ireland and Quebec *

Gareth O'Callaghan Gareth O'Callaghan (born 24 March 1961) is an Irish writer and former radio and television presenter. He was most recently heard on 4fm, having presented shows on RTÉ 2fm for much of his career until 2005, and then a show on Galway Bay FM. In ...

(born 1961): Irish broadcaster & Author * Gary O'Callaghan, (1933–2017): Australian radio announcer *

George O'Callaghan George Paul O'Callaghan (born 5 September 1979) is an Irish former football player and manager. O'Callaghan started his career with Port Vale in 1995, he made 41 appearances for the club before joining Cork City in 2002. He spent five years ...

Irish footballer *

George O'Callaghan-Westropp Colonel George O'Callaghan-Westropp JP (18 February 1864 – 30 July 1944), also known as The O'Callaghan, was an Irish landowner, soldier and political figure of the early 20th century. Biography He was born George O'Callaghan, son of Colonel ...

(1864–1944): Irish landowner and politician * George O'Callaghan, 2nd Viscount Lismore (1815 – 1898) Irish peer and British Army officer * Geraldine O'Callaghan: kickboxer *James M. O'Callaghan (born 1963): Distinguished Physician Assistant and drummer for the band C5. *

Jim O'Callaghan Jim O'Callaghan (born 5 January 1968) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Bay South constituency since the 2016 general election. Legal career O'Callaghan has a BCL degree from University Colle ...

(born 1968): Irish Fianna Fáil politician *

John O'Callaghan (Medal of Honor) Sergeant#United States, Sergeant John O'Callaghan (floruit, fl. 1868 – 1870) was an American soldier in the United States Army who served with the 8th Cavalry Regiment (United States), 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment during the Indian Wars. He was ...

(1850–1899): American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient * John O'Callaghan: Irish musician and DJ *

José O'Callaghan Martínez José O'Callaghan Martínez, SJ (October 7, 1922 – December 15, 2001) was a Spanish Jesuit priest, papyrologist and Biblical scholar. He is known for his extensive work on Christian papyri and for the identification of the 7Q5 papyrus of Q ...

(1922–2001): Spanish Jesuit, papyrologist and Biblical scholar * Joseph T. O'Callahan (1905–1964): Captain, US Navy, Jesuit priest, Medal of Honor recipient * Kevin O'Callaghan Irish footballer * Kilian O'Callaghan (born 1963): ballet dancer and teacher, from Monkstown, Co. Cork *

Miriam O'Callaghan (camogie) Miriam O'Callaghan (Miriam Ní Cheallacháin) became the 26th president of the Camogie Association when she defeated Helen McAleevy of Down 39-27 at the 2003 congress in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Presidency Her presidency was distinguished by new ...

: 26th president of the Camogie Association *

Miriam O'Callaghan (media personality) Miriam O'Callaghan (born 6 January 1960) is an Irish television current affairs presenter with RTÉ. O'Callaghan has presented '' Prime Time'' since 1996, and her own summer talk show, '' Saturday Night with Miriam'', from 2005 onwards. In t ...

(born 1957): Irish television current affairs presenter with RTÉ *

(1906–1991): first Irish athlete to win an Olympic medal *Paul O’Callaghan (born 1971): CEO WestAfricaENRG and Chair of Trustees Families Need Father *Roger Timothy O'Callaghan (1912-1654): US Jesuit and professor of biblical history, geography, and archaeology * Seán O'Callaghan (1954–2017): IRA informer from Tralee, County Kerry *

Sian O'Callaghan Sian or Siyan may refer to: __NOTOC__ People *Siân, a Welsh girl's name; list of people with this name Places *Sian, Iran (disambiguation), various places in Iran *Sian, Russia, a rural locality in Amur Oblast, Russia *Xi'an, China, formerly roman ...

(1988–2011): murder victim from Swindon, Wiltshire, UK *

Therése O'Callaghan Therése O'Callaghan is a camogie player, captain of the winning National Camogie League team in 1991 and again in 1996. She also captained her club Glen Rovers to the All Ireland club championship of 1990. Career She won All Ireland medals ...

: camogie player captain

Places

O'Callaghans Mills O'Callaghan's Mills (), also O'Callaghansmills, is a village in County Clare, Ireland, and a Catholic parish by the same name. It takes its name from the O'Callaghan family who were large landowners in the area and a corn and grist mill built by ...

, County Clare, Ireland * Callaghan, New South Wales, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales and home of the University of Newcastle, Australia *Liscallaghan, old Irish name for

Fivemiletown Fivemiletown is a village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 16 miles (26 km) east of Enniskillen and 26 miles (43 km) west-south-west of Dungannon, on the A4 Enniskillen-to-Dungannon road. Fivemiletown's populat ...

, County Tyrone *

Callaghan, Virginia Callaghan is an Unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 348. Humpback Covered Bridge and Wood Hall are listed on the U.S. National Regist ...

, a census-designated place in the US

Other

* *

Mount Callaghan Mount Callaghan is a volcanic peak located east of the headwaters of the Squamish River, just northeast of the Powder Mountain Icefield and just south of the Pemberton Icefield in the Sea to Sky Country of southwestern British Columbia, Canada, ...

Slim Callaghan Slim Callaghan is a fictional London-based private detective created by the writer Peter Cheyney. Like another of Cheyney's characters, the FBI agent Lemmy Caution, he was constructed as a British response to the more hardboiled detectives of Amer ...

, fictional private detective

References

External links

Callahan Genealogy and History website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ocallaghan Irish families Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames English-language surnames