The Spillane Family

Spillane family crest

(Crest No. 1. Plate 1.)

THE Spillane family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heber. The founder of the family was Cormac Cas, son of Olliol Ollum, King of Munster, A. D. 177, and of Sabia, daughter of Con Kead Caha, or Con of the Hundred Battles, King of Ireland, A. D. 148. The ancient name was Speollain, signifying “Acute.”

The possessions of the sept were located in the present Counties of Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary. The seat of the family seems to have been situated on the borders of Tipperary and Kilkenny, where the O’Spillanes were chiefs of Hy Luighdeach.