Sheridan Clan History
Coat of Arms Interpretation
Gold (Or) Generosity and elevation of the mind Green (Vert) Hope, joy, and loyalty in love Fleur-de-lis Purity; light; floral badge of France; represents sixth son as mark of difference. In Ireland this 'flower of light' can have a Christian significance.Lion, heraldic Bravery, strength, ferocity, and valour Trefoil or Shamrock (three-leaved grass) Perpetuity.
The Sheridan name was first recorded in Granard, County Longford, Ireland in the 8th century.
The Irish surname Sheridan originated in Granard, Co. Longford, where the family were 'Erenagh ' of Granard that is hereditary lay lords of the Church. This exhalted position gave the family all the rights and favors granted to Church leaders at the time. From Granard the Sheridans spread throughout Ireland and indeed the world.
Meaning of the Name
O' Shiridean literally translates as descendants of Sheridan the meaning of which is uncertain.
Variations of the Name Sheridan, O'Siridean Ref; Sheridan, ó Sirideáin A Gaelic surname meaning descendant of Sirideán. A sept of Longford who were erenaghs of Granard, who afterwards moved to Cavan. A sept of the Síol Muireadhaigh in Connacht. In 1890 Sheridan was numerous in Cavan and Sligo, it was also to be found in Dublin and Mayo.
The estimated number of bearers was 6,496 (including variants). In the United States it is the 1,572 most numerous surname with an estimated 22,000 bearers.
The Sheridan family were originally of Co. Longford but they later moved to Cavan where they became devoted followers of the O’Reillys. The surname Sheridan is distributed throughout Ireland but is still to be found in greater numbers in Cavan than elsewhere.
Famous Sheridans
The Sheridans have been chiefly notable for their achievements in the literary field. The most famous, of course, was Richard Brinseley Sheridan (1751-1816) the Dublin-born dramatist and orator, long a prominent member of the English parliament: his mother Frances Sheridan (1724-1766), was also a successful writer, as was his brother Charles Sheridan (1750-1806); and yet another member of this remarkable literary family was Thomas Sheridan (1719-1788) who was also one of the leading actors of his day.
These do not complete the list of Sheridans prominent in the literary sphere, for Denis Sheridan (b. 1612) assisted Bedell to translate the Bible into Irish and his son William Sheridan (1636-1711) was Protestant Bishop of Kilmore.
We must also mention Rev. Thomas Sheridan (1687-1738), an author best remembered now as the intimate friend of Dean Swift; and another Thomas Sheridan (1647-1712), a close follower of James II; while his son, yet another Thomas Sheridan (1684-1746), was tutor in exile to Prince Charles, the "Young Pretender", and took part with him in the "Forty-Five", as did his nephew Chevalier Michael Sheridan (1715-c. 1775).
Lastly, we have General Philip Henry Sheridan (1831-1888) the well-known and successful commander in the American Civil War. He, like nearly all the others cited above, was a Co. Cavan man.
