Crest: On a ducal coronet. Or a robin. In the beak a sprig of laurel proper.

Motto: Lamh fosdineeach an nachter – What we gain by conquest we secure by clemency.

Variant spellings: Sulivan, Sullavan, Soolivan, Soolavan, O'Sullivan.

Although this name is found throughout the English speaking world it is basically Irish and is in fact the third most common name there; yet despite the constant emigration from Ireland there are not sufficient numbers in England, Scotland and Wales to be counted separately for record purposes. Until quite recently, not more than thirty years ago, the number of O'Sullivans in the village of Waterville in County Kerry were so many that every shop and bar on the High Street bore this name.

Regarding the origin and derivation of the name, the precise meaning is somewhat obscure, mainly because of the uncertainty of the translation from the Gaelic suileabhain. The first element 'suil' undoubtedly means 'eye' and the second element we believe means 'black' although we have seen it listed as hawkeye, one-eye and close-eye or cross-eye. Despite the belief of the black or dark-eye theory being, of course, a descriptive or nickname – there exists a legend from which the one-eyed version has emerged, and is worth relating briefly:

A one-eyed Druid named Levawn arrived at the home of a family of Eochy whose chief also had only one eye. He was received cordially and offered accommodation and sustenance. As was the custom, a visitor upon leaving his host would accept a farewell gift. The Druid refused everything that was offered but demanded the eye of his host. Such was the hospitality of Eochy that he immediately agreed, tore his eye from its socket and bestowed it on his guest. Another guest of the household, a very holy man, was outraged by such ingratitude and prayed fervently that the two eyes that the Druid now had should change places with the two blind eyes of the host. His prayers were answered and so came into existence the name Sullivan – Suil-levawn – the eye of Levawn.

Geographical locations bearing this name are relatively rare. There are none that we are aware of in Britain; America has five towns called Sullivan and one called Sullivanville; Canada has a Sullivan Lake and two named O'Sullivan as well as a Sullivan Bay and off the coast of Burma is a Sullivan Island.

Undoubtedly the best known Sullivan was Sir Arthur who, with WS Gilbert, established the distinctive form of English operetta, more popular today than when they were written more than 100 years ago. His more serious compositions include the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" and "The Lost Chord".

The last heavyweight knuckle title fight under London Prize Ring Rules was won by the Boston Strong-boy John L. Sullivan when he KO'd Jake Kilrain in the 75th round.

Prepared By:
The Chester Heraldry Centre
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