Súilleabhán

Súilleabhán is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicized form of the Old Irish Ó Súilleabháin, meaning "descendant of Súilleabhán." The personal name Súilleabhán is believed to derive from the word súil, meaning "eye," and possibly adding a diminutive suffix or a word related to "black" or "dark." This would suggest a meaning related to "dark-eyed" or "one with fine eyes."

The surname is most strongly associated with the province of Munster, particularly Counties Cork and Kerry, where the Ó Súilleabháin clan was historically prominent. The clan's territory was primarily in the southwest of Ireland. Among the most famous bearers of the surname is Seán Óg Ó Súilleabháin, a renowned poet and songwriter from County Cork, whose works often reflected Irish identity and history. The surname is common in Ireland and has spread to other English-speaking countries, particularly those with significant Irish diaspora populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Variations in spelling can occur due to the historical anglicization of Irish names.