Neylon
Encyclopedia
Neylon is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Nialláin. Other English language forms of the name include Nealon, O'Neylan, Nyland and Neilan. They were a sept
of the Dalcassian (Irish: Dál gCais
) tribe located in the kingdom of Thomond
, which is now predominantly modern day County Clare
but encompassed parts of modern day Tipperary and Limerick. Some early references to the name in this area come from references made to the completion in 1016 of a fortified dwelling overlooking Ballyalla lake, north of Ennis, which had the blessing of the ruling O'Brien
family.
Throughout the reign of the O'Brien's in the region the Neylon family acted as medics and clergy as well as providing soldiers for the kingdom's defence. Two such examples of this is Ailill Ua Nialláin (d. 1093) who was Abbot of Clonmacnoise
and a James Neylon who graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Arts and Medicine in the 16th century.
During the course of the 1594 John Neylon, son of then Bishop of Kildare
Daniel Neylon (or O'Neylan as he is recorded in some documents), was bequeathed the castle of Dysert O'Dea near Corofin along with other lands in Inchiquin. http://www.odeaclan.org/history2.htm However during the Cromwellian
and Williamite
wars of the 17th century a lot of Irish nobles lost their land and titles after the outcomes of these wars didn't go in their favour and English rule in Ireland took a firm grip. The Neylon family appeared to remain in the general area but no longer at the centre of political affairs.
Like many other Irish families, the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s caused many members of the Neylon to emigrate to Britain, America and even further afield in order to survive. To this day however, the Neylon name is commonly found in many parts of Ireland but most notably still in County Clare.
constitutes two unicorns on a black background with a hand holding a dagger over the shield. In medieval heraldry
these symbols are interpreted as follows:
Unicorn - Extreme courage; virtue and strength
Black (Sable) Background - Constancy or grief
Dagger - Justice and military honour
http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm
Sept (social)
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
of the Dalcassian (Irish: Dál gCais
Dál gCais
The Dál gCais were a dynastic group of related septs located in north Munster who rose to political prominence in the 10th century AD in Ireland. They claimed descent from Cormac Cas, or Cas mac Conall Echlúath, hence the term "Dál", meaning "portion" or "share" of Cas...
) tribe located in the kingdom of Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
, which is now predominantly modern day County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
but encompassed parts of modern day Tipperary and Limerick. Some early references to the name in this area come from references made to the completion in 1016 of a fortified dwelling overlooking Ballyalla lake, north of Ennis, which had the blessing of the ruling O'Brien
O'Brien
The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...
family.
Throughout the reign of the O'Brien's in the region the Neylon family acted as medics and clergy as well as providing soldiers for the kingdom's defence. Two such examples of this is Ailill Ua Nialláin (d. 1093) who was Abbot of Clonmacnoise
Abbot of Clonmacnoise
The Abbot of Clonmacnoise was the monastic head of Clonmacnoise. They also bore the title "Comarba of Saint Ciarán", "successor of Saint Ciarán". The following is a list of abbots:-List of abbots to 1539:-References:...
and a James Neylon who graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Arts and Medicine in the 16th century.
During the course of the 1594 John Neylon, son of then Bishop of Kildare
Bishop of Kildare
The Bishop of Kildare was an episcopal title which took its name after the town of Kildare in County Kildare, Ireland. The title is no longer in use by any of the main Christian churches having been united with other bishoprics. In the Roman Catholic Church, the title has been merged with that of...
Daniel Neylon (or O'Neylan as he is recorded in some documents), was bequeathed the castle of Dysert O'Dea near Corofin along with other lands in Inchiquin. http://www.odeaclan.org/history2.htm However during the Cromwellian
Cromwellian conquest of Ireland
The Cromwellian conquest of Ireland refers to the conquest of Ireland by the forces of the English Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Cromwell landed in Ireland with his New Model Army on behalf of England's Rump Parliament in 1649...
and Williamite
Williamite war in Ireland
The Williamite War in Ireland—also called the Jacobite War in Ireland, the Williamite-Jacobite War in Ireland and in Irish as Cogadh an Dá Rí —was a conflict between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William of Orange over who would be King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
wars of the 17th century a lot of Irish nobles lost their land and titles after the outcomes of these wars didn't go in their favour and English rule in Ireland took a firm grip. The Neylon family appeared to remain in the general area but no longer at the centre of political affairs.
Like many other Irish families, the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s caused many members of the Neylon to emigrate to Britain, America and even further afield in order to survive. To this day however, the Neylon name is commonly found in many parts of Ireland but most notably still in County Clare.
Coat of arms
The family coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
constitutes two unicorns on a black background with a hand holding a dagger over the shield. In medieval heraldry
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
these symbols are interpreted as follows:
Unicorn - Extreme courage; virtue and strength
Black (Sable) Background - Constancy or grief
Dagger - Justice and military honour
http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm