THE ORIGIN OF THE TOLAND FAMILY
Throughout history, very few Irish surnames have exclusively maintained their original forms. Before being translated into English, the surname was recorded as O’ Tolan, O’ Twolan, Tolan, Toland, Toolan, Toolin, and probably others. This is an ancient Irish surname of very confusing origins. It is or was originally a County Donegal name, although in the 17th century much of the sept (clan) moved down to County Mayo where they “lost” the O’ prefix. The meaning of the name is unclear, but it seems to derive from the pre 13th century Gaelic O’ Tuathalain suggesting that it was probably religious and may translate as “The male descendant of the follower of the lord”. Many Irish surnames do have a holy or religious origin, and this could well be one of them.
It is also claimed that the clan were fighting men, being followers of the O’Donnells, when they lead their abortive rebellion against English rule in 1602. However the famous Irish etymologist, the late Edward Lysaght also showed that the clan were to be found in County Sligo, with a Petrus O’ Tuathalain being the vicar of Killaspugbrone in the barony of Carbury, in the year 1306. This is about as ancient as a surname gets.
TIMELINE
1775: Joseph Toland is born in Ireland, the son of Jackson and his wife. Joseph married Elizabeth (Eliza) Craig, who was born in 1776.
1808: John is born to Joseph and Eliza in Ireland.
1810: Eliza gives birth to their second son, Joseph. He died in 1890.
It is not known when these three generations of Tolands emigrated to Canada, but would have been prior to 1828.
About 1828: John married Sarah Donaldson at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kingston. They had five children:
- Eliza Toland Duff (1828-1876),
- Joseph (1833-1892),
- Daniel Hugh (1835-1901),
- Ruth Toland Claxton (1847-1880) (She was Eva’s paternal grandmother.)
- Hester Ann Toland Rose (1851-1895).
1857: Eliza died.
1869: Joseph died on the 2nd of March. He and Eliza are buried at Sandhill Cemetery, Battersea, Frontenac County, Ontario.
1876: Sarah died.
1880: Ruth (Toland) Claxton died on July 7th, leaving behind three young sons.
John & Ruth Claxton are buried in Latimer Cemetery.
1882: John Toland died on December 27.
