The Kivlin name, straight out of County Westmeath, hails from the Irish Ó Cibhleachain and the guardians of St. Feichin at Fore. Despite the 1922 Dublin Records Office fire, the name refuses to be erased from history.

From Myth to Legacy

Legend ties the family to Milesian kings, descended from King Milesius of Spain, whose sons stormed Ireland. From Niall of the Nine Hostages (kidnapper of St. Patrick) to Brian Boru (Viking slayer), Ireland’s past is filled with warriors, kings, and rebels. By the 16th century, the Kivlins had made their mark in Sligo and Leitrim, with records in the Tudor Fiants.

The Great Migration – Or, How the Irish Got Everywhere

In 1172, Dermott McMurrough asked the English for backup, accidentally inviting the Anglo-Norman invasion—and there went the land. Cromwell in 1640? More land gone. Ulster? Stuffed with Scottish and English Protestants. Then came the Great Potato Famine (1845), sending starving Irish to “Coffin Ships”, where up to 40% didn’t make it. Those who did? They built nations.

The Irish in the New World – Sweat, Grit, and Whiskey

Once in America, the Irish worked like hell—railroads, coal mines, bridges, canals—laying the backbone of a new world. They shaped arts, science, commerce, and faith. Some hitched onto wagon trains, trekking to the Midwest and the West Coast, bringing Irish resilience (and whiskey) wherever they landed.

Kivlin Heraldry – Because Every Great Name Deserves a Coat of Arms

Heraldry arrived with the Anglo-Normans (1172), but the Irish had already been using symbols long before that. Later, the English Crown put their stamp on it, making it official.

The Kivlin Coat of Arms isn’t just for show—it’s a battle badge, featuring:

• Escrolls with the family motto and name (because branding matters)

• A family crest (if any) sitting proudly above the helmet

• The Coat of Arms (or shield), the heart of the design

• A Helmet—because looking cool is half the battle

• A Torse on top of the helmet, adding flair

• A Mantle, draped like a cape (because why not?)

Supporters? Rare, exclusive, and granted on a personal basis—kind of like a VIP pass in medieval times.

As for spelling? A chaotic masterpiece—Kivlehan, O’Kivlehan, Kivlahen—blame scribes, accents, and creative liberties. Whether O’, Mc, or Mac, one thing’s for sure: the Kivlin name has survived wars, famines, and migrations—and it’s still standing.

To purchase the full history of the Kivlin name click here.

“Some Information Courtesy of House of Names, a Swyrich Corporation business.”