The source of the name "hUallacháin" (Houlihan) is from the progenitor of the family Prince Uallachan Mac Flann: "A rough-fettering lord of distinguished valour, venomous- weaponed, h-Uallachan." An Irish warrior and Prince of Siol Anmchadha. His name means "Proud", or "Arrogant".
The Houlihan family is a noble house and clan descending from Uí Mháine in County Clare. We can see this in the patronymic naming system: "Uallachan, son of Flann, son of Flannchadh, son of Innrachtach, son of Maelduin, son of Donngal, son of Anmchadh, son of Eoghan Buac."
There is 3 different lines of Houlihan which come from different places. The name found in this article is the main line whom were "Chiefs of Siol Anmchadha in Hy-Maine" as listed in John O'Hart's Pedigree of the Irish Nation.
In the 17th century, the O'Houlihans were pushed by the forces of Oliver Cromwell into Connachta where they became part of the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne which was the southern branch of the Uí Fiachrach.
History
Notable persons of the name
Uallachan Mac Flann, Chief of the Name, Prince of Siol Anmchadha. King Giolla Finn Mac Uallachain, Chief of the Name Ó hUallacháin, Chief of Siol Anmchadha, King of Siol Anmchadha (1096-1101)
Archbishop of Cashel Donal Ua hUallacháin (1171-1182)
See also
Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups, from whom many of the modern Irish surnames came from