Colhoun

Colhoun is a surname of Irish origin, primarily found in County Donegal, Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic Ó Colmhoín, meaning "descendant of Colmán". The Colhoun family are believed to be descendants of Colmán, a personal name popular in medieval Ireland.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 16th century in County Donegal, where the family were prominent landowners and figures in local politics. Over time, the Colhoun name spread to other parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom, with notable migrations to Scotland, England, and further afield.

Surname distribution records indicate that the majority of individuals bearing the Colhoun surname can still be found in Ireland, particularly in the historic homelands of County Donegal. However, there are also Colhoun families established in England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia, reflecting the global nature of the Irish diaspora.

The Colhoun surname is associated with a varied history, including involvement in military, literary, and political fields. Several notable individuals bearing the surname have made significant contributions in their respective fields over the centuries.

Today, the Colhoun surname remains a distinctive part of Irish and British genealogy, reflecting the rich tapestry of history and heritage shared by the people of these lands.

There are approximately 242 people named Colhoun in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Colhoun.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Adrian
  • Allistair
  • David
  • Gary
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Joseph
  • Patrick
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Steven
  • Terence
  • William

Female

  • Elaine
  • Elizabeth
  • Ellen
  • Emma
  • Kathleen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Rosemary
  • Sarah
  • Sharon

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.