Our Coleman Family
And
Their Kin
By Woody Coleman
Origin of Our Coleman Family
Our Irish Lineage:
Based upon our family Y-DNA evidence and analysis, family oral history, and other sources. The following Irish lineage of our Coleman family has been established.
83. Cairbre-Lifeachar, our oldest known ancestor of record, the 117th Monarch of Ireland: son of King Cormac Mac Art; was so called from his having been nursed by the side of the Liffey, the river on which Dublin is built. His mother was Eithne, daughter of Dunlong, King of Leinster. He had three sons - 1. Eochaidh Dubhlen; 2. Eocho; and 3. Fiacha Srabhteine, who was the 120th Monarch of Ireland, and the ancestor of O'Neill, Princes of Tyrone. Fiacha Srabhteine was so called, from his having been fostered at Dunsrabhteine, in Connaught; of which province he was King, before his elevation to the Monarchy. After seventeen years' reign, the Monarch Cairbre Lifeachar was slain at the battle of Gabhra [Gaura], A.D. 284, by Simeon, the son of Ceirb, who came from the south of Leinster to this battle, fought by the Militia of Ireland, who were called the Fiana Erionn (or Fenians), and arising from a quarrel which happened between the; in which the Monarch, taking part with one side against the other, lost his life.
84. Fiacha Srabhteine, King of Conacht, and the 120th Monarch of Ireland: son of Cairbre-Liffechar; married Aoife, daughter of the King of Gall Gaodhal. This Fiacha, after 37 years' reign, was, in the battleof Dubhcomar, A.D. 322, slain by his nephews, the Three Collas, to make room for Colla Uais, who seized on, and kept, the Monarchy for four years. From those three Collas the "Clan Colla" were so called.
85. Muireadach Tireach: son of Fiacha Srabhteine; married Muirion, daughter of Fiachadh, King of Ulster; and having, in A.D. 326, fought and defeated Colla Uais, and banished him and his two brothers into Scotland, regained his father's Throne, which he kept as the 122nd Monarch for 30 years.
86. Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin [Moyvone]: son of Muireadach Tireach; was the 124th Monarch; and in the 8th year of his reign died a natural death at Tara, A.D. 365; leaving issue four sons, viz., by his first wife Mong Fionn: - I. Brian; II. Fiachra; III. Olioll; IV. Fergus. And, by his second wife, Carthan Cais Dubh (or Carinna), daughter of the Celtic King of Britain, - V. Niall Mór, commonly called " Niall of the Nine Hostages ." Mong Fionn was daughter of Fiodhach, and sister of Crimthann, King of Munster, of the Heberian Sept, and successor of Eochaidh in the Monarchy. This Crimthann was poisoned by his sister Mong-Fionn, in hopes that Brian, her eldest son by Eochaidh, would succeed in the Monarchy. To avoid suspicion she herself drank of the same poisoned cup which she presented to her brother; but, not withstanding that she lost her life by so doing, yet her expectations were not realised, for the said Brian and her other three sons by the said Eochaidh were laid aside (whether out of horror of the mother's inhumanity in poisoning her brother, or otherwise, is not known), and the youngest son of Eochaidh, by Carthan Cais Dubh, was preferred to the Monarchy. I. Brian, from him were descended the Kings, nobility and gentry of Conacht - Tirloch Mór O'Connor, the 121st, and Roderic O'Connor, the 183rd Monarch of Ireland. II. Fiachra's descendants gave their name to Tir-Fiachra ("Tireragh"), co. Sligo, and possessed also parts of co. Mayo. III. Olioll's descendants settled in Sligo - in Tir Oliolla (or Tirerill). This Fiachra had five sons: - 1. Earc Cuilbhuide; 2. Breasal; 3. Conaire; 4. Feredach (or Dathi); and 5. Amhalgaidh.
87. Niall Mór ( Called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach or Niall of Nine Hostages): son of Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin; a quo the "Hy-Niall",(Ancestor of the O’Neill dynasty),of Ulster, Meath, and Conacht. He was twice married: - his first Queen was Inne, the daughter of Luighdheach, who was the relict of Fiachadh; his second Queen was Roigneach, by whom he had Nos. I., II., III., IV., V., VI., and VII., as given below. This Niall Mór succeeded his Uncle Crimthann; and was the 126th Monarch of Ireland. He was a stout, wise, and warlike prince, and fortunate in all his conquests and achievements, and therefore called "Great." He was also called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach or "Niall of the Nine Hostages ," from the royal hostages taken from nine several countries by him subdued and made tributary.
More About Niall of the Nine hostages The 4th century was to see the fall of a great empire and the whole of western Europe to fall into a great darkest called the dark ages. Against this background, Niall of the Nine Hostages, monarch of Ireland and he ruled from Teamhair so called because of the pledges he wrung from nine nations,1. Munster, 2. Leinster, 3. Conacht, 4. Ulster, 5. Britain, 6. the Picts, 7. the Dalriads, 8. the Saxons, and 9. the Morini - a people of France. He emerged not only as the paramount leader of the Gaelic-Irish world, but as the last great defender of the old Celtic traditions against the approaching Norse and Anglo-Saxon invasions. Considering his historical importance, we know very little about the early life of Niall, and much is drawn from tradition. By the year 379 AD he had built up sufficient power in the north of Ireland to be a figure of some reckoning. Claiming the High Kingship of Ireland, Niall of the nine hostages spent the later years of his life on military forays to Britain and present day France, most likely attacking the last remaining Roman outposts. The Annuals of the Four masters record the death of Niall in the year AD 405, while he marched with his victorious army of Irish, Scots, Picts, and Britons, further into France, in order to aid the Celtic natives in expelling the Roman Eagles, and thus to conquer that portion of the Roman Empire; and, encamping on the river Leor (now called Lianne), was, as he sat by the river side, treacherously assassinated by Eocha, son of Enna Cinsalach, king of Leinster, in revenge of a former "wrong" by him received from the said Niall. The spot on the Leor (not "Loire") where this Monarch was murdered is still called the "Ford of Niall," near Boulogne-sur-mer.
88. Eoghan (Eugene,* or Owen) : son of Niall Mor ; from whom the territory of "Tir-Eoghan" (now Tirowen or Tyrone), in Ulster is so called. From this Owen came (among others) the following families : O’Cahan (also spelled O‘Kane or O‘Kyan), O’Daly of "Leath Cuinn" (or the kingdoms of Meath, Ulster, and Conacht), O’Crean, Grogan, O’Carolan, etc. This Eoghan , Prince of Ulster, was baptized by St. Patrick at the Royal Palace of Aileach ; and our Ulster Annalists state that it was his foot which was pierced by the Bacchal Iosa during the ceremony.
More About Eoghan (Owen or Eugene)
* Eugene : Before the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland, this son of Niall the Great aquired the territory of Aileach, which in many centuries afterwards was called after him__"Tir-Owen" or Owen’s Country. At Aileach he resided, A.D. 442, when he was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick. "The man of God," says the old biographer of the Apostle, "accompanied Prince Eugene to his court, which he then held in the most ancient and celebrated seat of kings, called Aileach, and which the holy bishop consecrated by his blessing." The MacLoghlins being descended from the same family stem as the O’Neills, a MacLoghlin, or an O’Loghlin, as well as an O’Neill, was sometimes Prince of Aileach, until A.D. 1241, when Donell O’Loghlin, with ten of his family, and all the chiefs of his party, were cut off by his rival, Brian O’Neill, in the battle of "Caim-Eirge of Red Spears ;" and the supreme power of the principality of Aileach thenceforth remained with the O’Neills.___O’Callaghan. In the thirteenth century the "Kingdom of Aileach" ceased to be so called , and the designation "Kingdom of Tir-Owen," in its stead , was first applied to that territory. Sixteen of the Ard Righs or Monarchs of Ireland were princes or kings of Aileach ___descended from this Eugene or Owen. The O’Neills had their chief seat at Dungannon, and were inaugurated as princes of Tyrone, at Tullaghoge, a place between Grange and Donaghenry, in the parish of Desertcreight, in the barony of Dungannon ; where a rude seat of large stones, called Leach-na-Ree or the Flag stone of the kings, served them as a coronation chair. ___Connellan. We learn that, about A.D. 442, St. Patrick visited Ulster ; at which time he took his route through that romantic pass called Bearnas-mor of Tir-Aodha ; thence he emerged into Magh Ith, an extensive plain in the present barony of Raphoe, where he founded the church of Donaghmore, near the town Castlefinn. The Prince Owen kept his private residence at Fidh-mor, now called Veagh, between the church of Donaghmore and the palace of Aileach. St. Patrick went into the Aileach, and before entering he said to his people, "Take care that you meet not with the lion, Eoghan, the son of Niall." So as to honour St. Patrick, Owen sent a guard to meet him, under the command of Muireadhach, his son, who being in front, was accosted first by Seachnall in these words:___"You shall have a reward from me, if you could persuade your father to believe." "What reward?" asked he. "The sovereignty of thy tribe should for ever belong to thy heirs," said Seachnall. Muiredhach agreed to this arrangement. The Saint first saw Eoghan at Fidh-mor, preached to him there, when he embraced the Faith, a large leac (or stone) being set up there to commemorate the event. St. Patrick promised this prince:___"If you would receive the salutary doctrine of Christ in your country, the hostages of the Gaedhil should come to you;" meaning that in his posterity the Regal Race should be__a promise verified by time. Eoghan held the Castle of Aileach forty-seven years prior to St. Patrick’s visit. This fort the Apostle blessed, left the old coronation stone there, and prophesied that Kingship and pre-eminence should be over Erinn from Aileach: "When you leave your fort out of your bed to the flag, and your successors after you," said St. Patrick, "the men of Erinn shall tremble before you." He blessed the Island of Inis-Eoghan (Inishowen was an Island then), and after this gave a blessing of Valour to Eoghan:
"My blessing on the tuatha [territories] I give from Belach-ratha, On you the descendants of Eoghan Until the Day of Judgement.
"Whilst plains are under crops, The palm of battle shall be on their men, The armies of Fail [Ireland] shall not be over your plains; You shall attack every tetach [tribe].
"The race of Eoghan, son of Niall, Bless, O fair Brigid ! Provided they do good, Government shall be from them for ever.
"The blessing of us both Upon Eoghan MacNeill; On all who may be born from him, Provided they are obedient." (i.e., as long as they keep the Faith.)
These blessings were pronounced from Belachratha, now known as Ballagh, barony of Inishowen East, parish of Clonca, near Malin Head, where are the ruins of a church founded by St. Patrick. Eochaidh, son of Fiachra, son of Eoghan, was baptized with Eoghan: during the ceremony the Apostle’s Staff is said to have accidentally pierced the naked foot of the prince. The old Fortress of the Irish Monarchs, and Princes of Ulster, was an ancient Tuatha da Danaan Sith or Lios, and called Grianan Aileach, which here signifies "a stone house in a beautiful or sunny situation." Formerly there was a great wood around it, to Whitefort and along the east banks of the Foyle. This fort stands on an elevation of 802 feet, and lies in the parish of Burt, barony of Inishowen. The outermost enclosure on the circular apex of the hill contains 5 ½ acres ; within the second are 4 acres ; within the third about one acre ; while within the Cashel there is about ¼ acre of surface. The Cashel has been restored, since 1874, with great labour and expense, by Dr. Walter Bernard, of Derry. A square headed doorway enters the Cashel, and three distinct platforms ascend by means of side stone steps within the circle, which reaches interiorly 77 feet 6 inches from wall to wall, at the base, is about 13 feet. Several old roads from this Cashel can still be traced on the hill-sides. Here is still seen a stone called after St. Columbcille, and believed to be the old coronation stone of the Tuatha da Danaan, and the Hy-Niall races, blessed by St. Patrick as stated above. (See the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick.)
89. Muireadach (III.) : son of Eoghan ; was married to Earca, dau. of Loarn, King of Dalriada in Scotland, and by her had many sons and daus., two of them are especially mentioned : ___Muirceartach Mor, and Fergus Mor, both called "Mac Earca." From this Fergus Mor descended the Kings of Scotland , and thence, through Queen Matilda, the Kings of England, including the Royal Houses of Plantagenet, Stuart, and D’Este. 90. Muirceartach (or Muriartach) Mor Mac Earca : son of Muireadach (III.) of . This Muriartach, the eldest son of Muireadach (3), was the 131st Monarch of Ireland ; reigned 24 years; and died naturally in his bed, which was rare among the Irish Monarchs in those days ; but others say he was burned in a house after being "drowned in wine" (meaning that he was under the influence of drink) on All-Halontide (or All-Hallow) Eve, A.D. 527. Married Duinseach, dau. of Duach Teangabha, King of Conacht. He had issue___I. Donal Ilchealgach ; II. Fergus, who became the 135th Monarch; III. Baodan (or Boetanus), who was the 137th Monarch of Ireland, and was the father of Lochan Dilmhain, a quo Dillon, according to some genealogists; IV. Colman Rimidh, the 142nd Monarch; V. Neiline ; and VI. Scanlan.
91. Donal Ilchealgach (Ilchealgach : Irish, (deceitful): eldest son of Muirceartach ; was the 134th Monarch; reigned jointly with his brother Fergus for three years: these princes were obliged to make war on the people of Leinster; fought the memorable battle of Gabhrah-Liffe, where four hundred of the nobility and gentry of that province were slain, together with the greater part of the army. In this reign Dioman Mac Muireadhach, who governed Ulster ten years was killed by Bachlachuibh. Donal and Fergus both died of "the plague," in one day, A.D. 561.
92. Aodh ( or Hugh): Donal’s son; Prince of Ulster. This Aodh Uariodhnach was the 143rd Monarch; he had frequent wars, but at length defeated his enemies in the battle of Odhbha, in which Conall Laoghbreag, son of Aodh Slaine, was killed. Soon after this battle, the Monarch Aodh was killed in the Battle of Da Fearta, A.D. 607.
93. Maolfreach : his son; Prince of Ulster; had at least two sons:__1. Maoldoon; and II. Maoltuile, a quo Multully, Tully, and Flood of Ulster.
94. Maoldoon : his son; Prince of Ulster; had two sons: !. Fargal ; and II. Adam, who was ancestor to O’Daly of "Leath Cuin." His wife was Cacht, daughter of Maolchabha, King of Cineall Connill.
95. Fargal: son of Maoldoon, was the 156th Monarch of Ireland; was slain, in A.D. 718, by Moroch, King of Leinster. Married Aithiochta, dau. of Cein O’Conner, King of Conacht. This Fargal had four sons: I. Niall Frassach; II. Conner (or Conchobhar), who was ancestor of O’Cahan; III. Hugh Allan (or Aodh Olann), the 160th Monarch, and ancestor of O’Brain, of Ulster; and IV. Colca, a quo Culkin.
96. Conchobar (Conner): Second son of Fargal, the 156th Monarch of Ireland; a quo O’Conner, of Moy Ith, County Donegal, had a brother named Hugh. He was Prince of Leim-an-Madaidh ("Limavady"), and a younger brother of Niall Frasach, the 162nd Monarch of Ireland, who is on the (No.1) "O’Neill (of Tyrone) pedigree.
97. Gruagan ("gruag:" Irish, the hair), meaning "the hairy man:" son of Conchobar (Conner); a quo O’Gruagain, anglicized Grogan and Gregan ; had a brother named Dermod, who was ancestor of O’Conner, of Moy Ith.
98. Dungan: son of Gruagan.
99. Cathan ("cath:" Irish, a battle, and "an," one who; Heb. "chath," (terror ) : son of Dungan; a quo O’Cathain, (Ancestor of O’Cahan ,O‘Kane, O’Kyan).
100. Cathusach O‘Cahan: son of Cathan.
101. Dermod O‘Cahan (O‘Kyan), king of Ulster: son of Cathusach; had a brother named Flaitheartach.
102. Anselan O‘Cahan (O‘Kyan): Prince of Ulster, son of Dermod, who was the ancestor of O’Bocainain, anglicized Buchanan. This Anselan was the first of the family who settled in Scotland.
How we got to Scotland
The founder and first laird of Clan Buchanan was Prince Anselan Buey O'Kyan (O'Cahan or O'Kane), first of that name, and son of Dermod O'Kyan, King of Ulster in Ireland, was compelled to leave Ireland after his incursions against the Danes and take refuge in Scotland. He landed with some attendants on the northern coast of Argyleshire, near Lennox, about the year 1016, and having, according to the family tradition, in all such cases made and provided, lent his assistance to King Malcolm the Second in repelling his old enemies, the Danes, on two different occasions of their arrival in Scotland, he received from that king for his services, a grant of land in the north of Scotland.
Another Account of how we got to Scotland By Glynn McCalman, 13 Sep 2002
The details of why Anselan Buey O’Kyan, first Laird of Clan Buchanan, left Ireland are fascinating in all our McColman history.
By 1016 Sweyn "Forkbeard", the Danish King and son of Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson, had conquered most of the British Isles and was preparing celebrations for the naming of his son Canute (Knud) to become his successor. Part of the preparation was his order that a large number of beautiful daughters of Irish nobility be present for the celebration at Limerick in Western Ireland. Indeed, a large number of Irish youth did appear for the event, but they were young men disguised as women, and with Irish Scains (daggers) hidden beneath their cloaks. (This same ruse had been employed successfully on a smaller scale in Ireland several centuries earlier.) The result was a massacre of the Danes. One of the participating Irish youths was Prince Anselan O'Kyan, our ancestor. As might be expected, this placed a price on the heads of all the Irish participants, including, of course, the head of Prince Anselan O'Kyan. It became necessary that Anselan flee Ireland and emigrate to Scotland. Eventually, Anselan acquired lands in the Lennox area of Scotland (including the Loch Lomond area), apparently as a reward for services to King Malcolm II of Scotland against the Danes (for which he had previous experience).
Our Scottish Lineage:
1.__Anselan Buey O'Kyan, or O'Bocainain, anglicized Buchanan, who succeeded as provincial King of Southern Ulster. He took part in the slaughter of Turgesius, the Danish general, and his army, at Limerick, and was, with his followers, compelled to leave Ireland, by King Canute, and flee to Scotland, in 1016, and soon after entered into the service of King Malcolm II. against the Danes. He so signalized himself in this monarch's service that he obtained from him many grants of land in the northern part of Scotland as a reward, among which were the lands of Pitwhonidy and Strathyre, and was recognized as the first Laird of Buchanan. He m. the heiress of the Laird of Deniestown, and had:
2.__John , second Laird of Buchanan, who had:
3.__Anselan , third Laird of Buchanan, who had:
4.__Walter , fourth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
5.__Gerald, fifth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
6.- MacBeath, sixth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
7.- Anselan, seventh Laird of Buchanan, who was Chamberlain to Malduin, Earl of Lennox, in 1225, and obtained a charter from him of an island in Lochlomond, which he called "Clareinch," the slughome, or war-cry, proper to the family of Buchanan. He had:
8. - Colman, his youngest son and ancestor of our Coleman family (other variations of our surname include MacColman, McColman, McCalman, and Colman.) Colman had two brothers: Gilbert , the oldest son, and eighth Laird of Buchanan, who was the first to assume the surname of Buchanan. He suceeded his father as Senechal, or Chamberlain, to the Earl of Lennox, and Methlen, ancestor of the MacMillans. Prior to the clan or surname of Buchanan being adopted, the family or clan name was MacAuslane.
Return To Ireland and Immigration to America
The English and Scottish Plantation of Ireland , took place during the 16th and 17th centuries . It was probably in the 17th century that our Coleman (Colman) family left Scotland and returned to Ireland . In particular under the rule of Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658, Lord Protector of the Common Wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Cromwell was not particularly tolerant of those of the Puritan and Protestant religions. According to a great aunt, Laura Kolb Coleman , who was a family historian and genealogist herself, our family immigrated from northern Ireland in the early 1700’s and settled in Charleston, South Carolina. George Colman moved from there to Georgia in the early 1800’s.
83. Cairbre-Lifeachar, our oldest known ancestor of record, the 117th Monarch of Ireland: son of King Cormac Mac Art; was so called from his having been nursed by the side of the Liffey, the river on which Dublin is built. His mother was Eithne, daughter of Dunlong, King of Leinster. He had three sons - 1. Eochaidh Dubhlen; 2. Eocho; and 3. Fiacha Srabhteine, who was the 120th Monarch of Ireland, and the ancestor of O'Neill, Princes of Tyrone. Fiacha Srabhteine was so called, from his having been fostered at Dunsrabhteine, in Connaught; of which province he was King, before his elevation to the Monarchy. After seventeen years' reign, the Monarch Cairbre Lifeachar was slain at the battle of Gabhra [Gaura], A.D. 284, by Simeon, the son of Ceirb, who came from the south of Leinster to this battle, fought by the Militia of Ireland, who were called the Fiana Erionn (or Fenians), and arising from a quarrel which happened between the; in which the Monarch, taking part with one side against the other, lost his life.
84. Fiacha Srabhteine, King of Conacht, and the 120th Monarch of Ireland: son of Cairbre-Liffechar; married Aoife, daughter of the King of Gall Gaodhal. This Fiacha, after 37 years' reign, was, in the battleof Dubhcomar, A.D. 322, slain by his nephews, the Three Collas, to make room for Colla Uais, who seized on, and kept, the Monarchy for four years. From those three Collas the "Clan Colla" were so called.
85. Muireadach Tireach: son of Fiacha Srabhteine; married Muirion, daughter of Fiachadh, King of Ulster; and having, in A.D. 326, fought and defeated Colla Uais, and banished him and his two brothers into Scotland, regained his father's Throne, which he kept as the 122nd Monarch for 30 years.
86. Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin [Moyvone]: son of Muireadach Tireach; was the 124th Monarch; and in the 8th year of his reign died a natural death at Tara, A.D. 365; leaving issue four sons, viz., by his first wife Mong Fionn: - I. Brian; II. Fiachra; III. Olioll; IV. Fergus. And, by his second wife, Carthan Cais Dubh (or Carinna), daughter of the Celtic King of Britain, - V. Niall Mór, commonly called " Niall of the Nine Hostages ." Mong Fionn was daughter of Fiodhach, and sister of Crimthann, King of Munster, of the Heberian Sept, and successor of Eochaidh in the Monarchy. This Crimthann was poisoned by his sister Mong-Fionn, in hopes that Brian, her eldest son by Eochaidh, would succeed in the Monarchy. To avoid suspicion she herself drank of the same poisoned cup which she presented to her brother; but, not withstanding that she lost her life by so doing, yet her expectations were not realised, for the said Brian and her other three sons by the said Eochaidh were laid aside (whether out of horror of the mother's inhumanity in poisoning her brother, or otherwise, is not known), and the youngest son of Eochaidh, by Carthan Cais Dubh, was preferred to the Monarchy. I. Brian, from him were descended the Kings, nobility and gentry of Conacht - Tirloch Mór O'Connor, the 121st, and Roderic O'Connor, the 183rd Monarch of Ireland. II. Fiachra's descendants gave their name to Tir-Fiachra ("Tireragh"), co. Sligo, and possessed also parts of co. Mayo. III. Olioll's descendants settled in Sligo - in Tir Oliolla (or Tirerill). This Fiachra had five sons: - 1. Earc Cuilbhuide; 2. Breasal; 3. Conaire; 4. Feredach (or Dathi); and 5. Amhalgaidh.
87. Niall Mór ( Called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach or Niall of Nine Hostages): son of Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin; a quo the "Hy-Niall",(Ancestor of the O’Neill dynasty),of Ulster, Meath, and Conacht. He was twice married: - his first Queen was Inne, the daughter of Luighdheach, who was the relict of Fiachadh; his second Queen was Roigneach, by whom he had Nos. I., II., III., IV., V., VI., and VII., as given below. This Niall Mór succeeded his Uncle Crimthann; and was the 126th Monarch of Ireland. He was a stout, wise, and warlike prince, and fortunate in all his conquests and achievements, and therefore called "Great." He was also called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach or "Niall of the Nine Hostages ," from the royal hostages taken from nine several countries by him subdued and made tributary.
More About Niall of the Nine hostages The 4th century was to see the fall of a great empire and the whole of western Europe to fall into a great darkest called the dark ages. Against this background, Niall of the Nine Hostages, monarch of Ireland and he ruled from Teamhair so called because of the pledges he wrung from nine nations,1. Munster, 2. Leinster, 3. Conacht, 4. Ulster, 5. Britain, 6. the Picts, 7. the Dalriads, 8. the Saxons, and 9. the Morini - a people of France. He emerged not only as the paramount leader of the Gaelic-Irish world, but as the last great defender of the old Celtic traditions against the approaching Norse and Anglo-Saxon invasions. Considering his historical importance, we know very little about the early life of Niall, and much is drawn from tradition. By the year 379 AD he had built up sufficient power in the north of Ireland to be a figure of some reckoning. Claiming the High Kingship of Ireland, Niall of the nine hostages spent the later years of his life on military forays to Britain and present day France, most likely attacking the last remaining Roman outposts. The Annuals of the Four masters record the death of Niall in the year AD 405, while he marched with his victorious army of Irish, Scots, Picts, and Britons, further into France, in order to aid the Celtic natives in expelling the Roman Eagles, and thus to conquer that portion of the Roman Empire; and, encamping on the river Leor (now called Lianne), was, as he sat by the river side, treacherously assassinated by Eocha, son of Enna Cinsalach, king of Leinster, in revenge of a former "wrong" by him received from the said Niall. The spot on the Leor (not "Loire") where this Monarch was murdered is still called the "Ford of Niall," near Boulogne-sur-mer.
88. Eoghan (Eugene,* or Owen) : son of Niall Mor ; from whom the territory of "Tir-Eoghan" (now Tirowen or Tyrone), in Ulster is so called. From this Owen came (among others) the following families : O’Cahan (also spelled O‘Kane or O‘Kyan), O’Daly of "Leath Cuinn" (or the kingdoms of Meath, Ulster, and Conacht), O’Crean, Grogan, O’Carolan, etc. This Eoghan , Prince of Ulster, was baptized by St. Patrick at the Royal Palace of Aileach ; and our Ulster Annalists state that it was his foot which was pierced by the Bacchal Iosa during the ceremony.
More About Eoghan (Owen or Eugene)
* Eugene : Before the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland, this son of Niall the Great aquired the territory of Aileach, which in many centuries afterwards was called after him__"Tir-Owen" or Owen’s Country. At Aileach he resided, A.D. 442, when he was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick. "The man of God," says the old biographer of the Apostle, "accompanied Prince Eugene to his court, which he then held in the most ancient and celebrated seat of kings, called Aileach, and which the holy bishop consecrated by his blessing." The MacLoghlins being descended from the same family stem as the O’Neills, a MacLoghlin, or an O’Loghlin, as well as an O’Neill, was sometimes Prince of Aileach, until A.D. 1241, when Donell O’Loghlin, with ten of his family, and all the chiefs of his party, were cut off by his rival, Brian O’Neill, in the battle of "Caim-Eirge of Red Spears ;" and the supreme power of the principality of Aileach thenceforth remained with the O’Neills.___O’Callaghan. In the thirteenth century the "Kingdom of Aileach" ceased to be so called , and the designation "Kingdom of Tir-Owen," in its stead , was first applied to that territory. Sixteen of the Ard Righs or Monarchs of Ireland were princes or kings of Aileach ___descended from this Eugene or Owen. The O’Neills had their chief seat at Dungannon, and were inaugurated as princes of Tyrone, at Tullaghoge, a place between Grange and Donaghenry, in the parish of Desertcreight, in the barony of Dungannon ; where a rude seat of large stones, called Leach-na-Ree or the Flag stone of the kings, served them as a coronation chair. ___Connellan. We learn that, about A.D. 442, St. Patrick visited Ulster ; at which time he took his route through that romantic pass called Bearnas-mor of Tir-Aodha ; thence he emerged into Magh Ith, an extensive plain in the present barony of Raphoe, where he founded the church of Donaghmore, near the town Castlefinn. The Prince Owen kept his private residence at Fidh-mor, now called Veagh, between the church of Donaghmore and the palace of Aileach. St. Patrick went into the Aileach, and before entering he said to his people, "Take care that you meet not with the lion, Eoghan, the son of Niall." So as to honour St. Patrick, Owen sent a guard to meet him, under the command of Muireadhach, his son, who being in front, was accosted first by Seachnall in these words:___"You shall have a reward from me, if you could persuade your father to believe." "What reward?" asked he. "The sovereignty of thy tribe should for ever belong to thy heirs," said Seachnall. Muiredhach agreed to this arrangement. The Saint first saw Eoghan at Fidh-mor, preached to him there, when he embraced the Faith, a large leac (or stone) being set up there to commemorate the event. St. Patrick promised this prince:___"If you would receive the salutary doctrine of Christ in your country, the hostages of the Gaedhil should come to you;" meaning that in his posterity the Regal Race should be__a promise verified by time. Eoghan held the Castle of Aileach forty-seven years prior to St. Patrick’s visit. This fort the Apostle blessed, left the old coronation stone there, and prophesied that Kingship and pre-eminence should be over Erinn from Aileach: "When you leave your fort out of your bed to the flag, and your successors after you," said St. Patrick, "the men of Erinn shall tremble before you." He blessed the Island of Inis-Eoghan (Inishowen was an Island then), and after this gave a blessing of Valour to Eoghan:
"My blessing on the tuatha [territories] I give from Belach-ratha, On you the descendants of Eoghan Until the Day of Judgement.
"Whilst plains are under crops, The palm of battle shall be on their men, The armies of Fail [Ireland] shall not be over your plains; You shall attack every tetach [tribe].
"The race of Eoghan, son of Niall, Bless, O fair Brigid ! Provided they do good, Government shall be from them for ever.
"The blessing of us both Upon Eoghan MacNeill; On all who may be born from him, Provided they are obedient." (i.e., as long as they keep the Faith.)
These blessings were pronounced from Belachratha, now known as Ballagh, barony of Inishowen East, parish of Clonca, near Malin Head, where are the ruins of a church founded by St. Patrick. Eochaidh, son of Fiachra, son of Eoghan, was baptized with Eoghan: during the ceremony the Apostle’s Staff is said to have accidentally pierced the naked foot of the prince. The old Fortress of the Irish Monarchs, and Princes of Ulster, was an ancient Tuatha da Danaan Sith or Lios, and called Grianan Aileach, which here signifies "a stone house in a beautiful or sunny situation." Formerly there was a great wood around it, to Whitefort and along the east banks of the Foyle. This fort stands on an elevation of 802 feet, and lies in the parish of Burt, barony of Inishowen. The outermost enclosure on the circular apex of the hill contains 5 ½ acres ; within the second are 4 acres ; within the third about one acre ; while within the Cashel there is about ¼ acre of surface. The Cashel has been restored, since 1874, with great labour and expense, by Dr. Walter Bernard, of Derry. A square headed doorway enters the Cashel, and three distinct platforms ascend by means of side stone steps within the circle, which reaches interiorly 77 feet 6 inches from wall to wall, at the base, is about 13 feet. Several old roads from this Cashel can still be traced on the hill-sides. Here is still seen a stone called after St. Columbcille, and believed to be the old coronation stone of the Tuatha da Danaan, and the Hy-Niall races, blessed by St. Patrick as stated above. (See the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick.)
89. Muireadach (III.) : son of Eoghan ; was married to Earca, dau. of Loarn, King of Dalriada in Scotland, and by her had many sons and daus., two of them are especially mentioned : ___Muirceartach Mor, and Fergus Mor, both called "Mac Earca." From this Fergus Mor descended the Kings of Scotland , and thence, through Queen Matilda, the Kings of England, including the Royal Houses of Plantagenet, Stuart, and D’Este. 90. Muirceartach (or Muriartach) Mor Mac Earca : son of Muireadach (III.) of . This Muriartach, the eldest son of Muireadach (3), was the 131st Monarch of Ireland ; reigned 24 years; and died naturally in his bed, which was rare among the Irish Monarchs in those days ; but others say he was burned in a house after being "drowned in wine" (meaning that he was under the influence of drink) on All-Halontide (or All-Hallow) Eve, A.D. 527. Married Duinseach, dau. of Duach Teangabha, King of Conacht. He had issue___I. Donal Ilchealgach ; II. Fergus, who became the 135th Monarch; III. Baodan (or Boetanus), who was the 137th Monarch of Ireland, and was the father of Lochan Dilmhain, a quo Dillon, according to some genealogists; IV. Colman Rimidh, the 142nd Monarch; V. Neiline ; and VI. Scanlan.
91. Donal Ilchealgach (Ilchealgach : Irish, (deceitful): eldest son of Muirceartach ; was the 134th Monarch; reigned jointly with his brother Fergus for three years: these princes were obliged to make war on the people of Leinster; fought the memorable battle of Gabhrah-Liffe, where four hundred of the nobility and gentry of that province were slain, together with the greater part of the army. In this reign Dioman Mac Muireadhach, who governed Ulster ten years was killed by Bachlachuibh. Donal and Fergus both died of "the plague," in one day, A.D. 561.
92. Aodh ( or Hugh): Donal’s son; Prince of Ulster. This Aodh Uariodhnach was the 143rd Monarch; he had frequent wars, but at length defeated his enemies in the battle of Odhbha, in which Conall Laoghbreag, son of Aodh Slaine, was killed. Soon after this battle, the Monarch Aodh was killed in the Battle of Da Fearta, A.D. 607.
93. Maolfreach : his son; Prince of Ulster; had at least two sons:__1. Maoldoon; and II. Maoltuile, a quo Multully, Tully, and Flood of Ulster.
94. Maoldoon : his son; Prince of Ulster; had two sons: !. Fargal ; and II. Adam, who was ancestor to O’Daly of "Leath Cuin." His wife was Cacht, daughter of Maolchabha, King of Cineall Connill.
95. Fargal: son of Maoldoon, was the 156th Monarch of Ireland; was slain, in A.D. 718, by Moroch, King of Leinster. Married Aithiochta, dau. of Cein O’Conner, King of Conacht. This Fargal had four sons: I. Niall Frassach; II. Conner (or Conchobhar), who was ancestor of O’Cahan; III. Hugh Allan (or Aodh Olann), the 160th Monarch, and ancestor of O’Brain, of Ulster; and IV. Colca, a quo Culkin.
96. Conchobar (Conner): Second son of Fargal, the 156th Monarch of Ireland; a quo O’Conner, of Moy Ith, County Donegal, had a brother named Hugh. He was Prince of Leim-an-Madaidh ("Limavady"), and a younger brother of Niall Frasach, the 162nd Monarch of Ireland, who is on the (No.1) "O’Neill (of Tyrone) pedigree.
97. Gruagan ("gruag:" Irish, the hair), meaning "the hairy man:" son of Conchobar (Conner); a quo O’Gruagain, anglicized Grogan and Gregan ; had a brother named Dermod, who was ancestor of O’Conner, of Moy Ith.
98. Dungan: son of Gruagan.
99. Cathan ("cath:" Irish, a battle, and "an," one who; Heb. "chath," (terror ) : son of Dungan; a quo O’Cathain, (Ancestor of O’Cahan ,O‘Kane, O’Kyan).
100. Cathusach O‘Cahan: son of Cathan.
101. Dermod O‘Cahan (O‘Kyan), king of Ulster: son of Cathusach; had a brother named Flaitheartach.
102. Anselan O‘Cahan (O‘Kyan): Prince of Ulster, son of Dermod, who was the ancestor of O’Bocainain, anglicized Buchanan. This Anselan was the first of the family who settled in Scotland.
How we got to Scotland
The founder and first laird of Clan Buchanan was Prince Anselan Buey O'Kyan (O'Cahan or O'Kane), first of that name, and son of Dermod O'Kyan, King of Ulster in Ireland, was compelled to leave Ireland after his incursions against the Danes and take refuge in Scotland. He landed with some attendants on the northern coast of Argyleshire, near Lennox, about the year 1016, and having, according to the family tradition, in all such cases made and provided, lent his assistance to King Malcolm the Second in repelling his old enemies, the Danes, on two different occasions of their arrival in Scotland, he received from that king for his services, a grant of land in the north of Scotland.
Another Account of how we got to Scotland By Glynn McCalman, 13 Sep 2002
The details of why Anselan Buey O’Kyan, first Laird of Clan Buchanan, left Ireland are fascinating in all our McColman history.
By 1016 Sweyn "Forkbeard", the Danish King and son of Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson, had conquered most of the British Isles and was preparing celebrations for the naming of his son Canute (Knud) to become his successor. Part of the preparation was his order that a large number of beautiful daughters of Irish nobility be present for the celebration at Limerick in Western Ireland. Indeed, a large number of Irish youth did appear for the event, but they were young men disguised as women, and with Irish Scains (daggers) hidden beneath their cloaks. (This same ruse had been employed successfully on a smaller scale in Ireland several centuries earlier.) The result was a massacre of the Danes. One of the participating Irish youths was Prince Anselan O'Kyan, our ancestor. As might be expected, this placed a price on the heads of all the Irish participants, including, of course, the head of Prince Anselan O'Kyan. It became necessary that Anselan flee Ireland and emigrate to Scotland. Eventually, Anselan acquired lands in the Lennox area of Scotland (including the Loch Lomond area), apparently as a reward for services to King Malcolm II of Scotland against the Danes (for which he had previous experience).
Our Scottish Lineage:
1.__Anselan Buey O'Kyan, or O'Bocainain, anglicized Buchanan, who succeeded as provincial King of Southern Ulster. He took part in the slaughter of Turgesius, the Danish general, and his army, at Limerick, and was, with his followers, compelled to leave Ireland, by King Canute, and flee to Scotland, in 1016, and soon after entered into the service of King Malcolm II. against the Danes. He so signalized himself in this monarch's service that he obtained from him many grants of land in the northern part of Scotland as a reward, among which were the lands of Pitwhonidy and Strathyre, and was recognized as the first Laird of Buchanan. He m. the heiress of the Laird of Deniestown, and had:
2.__John , second Laird of Buchanan, who had:
3.__Anselan , third Laird of Buchanan, who had:
4.__Walter , fourth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
5.__Gerald, fifth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
6.- MacBeath, sixth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
7.- Anselan, seventh Laird of Buchanan, who was Chamberlain to Malduin, Earl of Lennox, in 1225, and obtained a charter from him of an island in Lochlomond, which he called "Clareinch," the slughome, or war-cry, proper to the family of Buchanan. He had:
8. - Colman, his youngest son and ancestor of our Coleman family (other variations of our surname include MacColman, McColman, McCalman, and Colman.) Colman had two brothers: Gilbert , the oldest son, and eighth Laird of Buchanan, who was the first to assume the surname of Buchanan. He suceeded his father as Senechal, or Chamberlain, to the Earl of Lennox, and Methlen, ancestor of the MacMillans. Prior to the clan or surname of Buchanan being adopted, the family or clan name was MacAuslane.
Return To Ireland and Immigration to America
The English and Scottish Plantation of Ireland , took place during the 16th and 17th centuries . It was probably in the 17th century that our Coleman (Colman) family left Scotland and returned to Ireland . In particular under the rule of Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658, Lord Protector of the Common Wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Cromwell was not particularly tolerant of those of the Puritan and Protestant religions. According to a great aunt, Laura Kolb Coleman , who was a family historian and genealogist herself, our family immigrated from northern Ireland in the early 1700’s and settled in Charleston, South Carolina. George Colman moved from there to Georgia in the early 1800’s.
