Definitions

1. noun

a suffix used to form patronymic surnames, especially in Ireland, signifying ‘descendant of’

“The surname O’Sheehan is derived from the Irish surname Sheehan, meaning ‘descendant of Sheehan’.”

2. noun

a variant of Sheehy, an Irish surname

“The Sheehans were a prominent family in 19th-century Ireland.”

3. proper noun

a surname, especially a reference to the American politician Joseph Patrick Sheehan (1887-1974) or the American football player Sheehan (1947-2016)

“Sheehan was a well-known Democratic politician from Connecticut.”