Nolan is a name that sounds modern and carries something ancient. Behind it stand the Ó Nualláin, hereditary princes of the Forth district of Carlow, who held the singular honour of inaugurating the kings of Leinster. If you're shopping for a Nolan, you're shopping for the family that crowned kings. Here's our guide to heritage gifts worthy of the role.
The Kingmakers of Leinster
The Nolan name comes from the Irish Ó Nualláin — descendant of Nuallán, a name read as "noble" or "famous" — and the principal family ruled the barony of Forth in Carlow, where tradition gave them the right to perform the inauguration of the MacMurrough kings of Leinster. Branches later spread through Galway and Mayo, and emigration carried the name across the Atlantic in strength. The full story is in our Nolan surname history — ideal material for the gift card.
The Nolan Woven Blanket — The Kingmaker's Heirloom
The flagship of the collection: the O'Nolan family crest displayed against a tartan background, woven into the fabric itself rather than printed. Three sizes, from a display throw to a full 80" × 60" couch blanket.
Who it suits: parents and grandparents, a Nolan wedding couple, or the family historian — "the family that crowned the kings of Leinster" tends to land well at unwrapping time.
The Nolan Mug — Everyday Heritage
For birthdays, stockings, and smaller occasions, the Nolan family crest mug delivers the same lineage at an everyday price — a small gift with a kingmaker's backstory.
More Ways to Give the Nolan Name
The same Nolan crest design carries across our full range:
- Garden flags — for the Nolan home that flies its colours; a housewarming favourite.
- Ornaments — small, meaningful, and back on the tree every December.
- Apparel — reunion shirts and hoodies for proud Nolans of every age.
- Tumblers, coasters, phone cases and more — everyday pieces that keep the crest close.
Matching the Gift to the Occasion
Christmas: the blanket as the centerpiece; crest mugs and ornaments for the wider list. Father's Day & Mother's Day: a crest gift honours the parent who handed the name down. Weddings: a woven blanket for a new Nolan household. New baby: a crest blanket in year one becomes the heirloom of the childhood. Sympathy: a quiet, respectful way to honour a Nolan who has passed.
Put the Story in the Card
The kingmakers of Forth — the lines are in the Nolan surname history. If the family tree runs through Leinster, the Kavanagh history covers the royal line the Nolans inaugurated, and the Kinsella history covers their kindred neighbours from the same kingdom.
Nolan Gift FAQ
What is the best gift for someone named Nolan?
For milestone occasions, the O'Nolan family crest woven blanket is the heirloom piece. For everyday gifting, a Nolan crest mug or ornament carries the same story at a smaller price.
Does the design suit O'Nolan and Noland spellings?
Yes — the variants trace to the same Ó Nualláin root, and the crest honours the name as a whole. Search any spelling in our store to compare.
Is a family crest the same as a coat of arms?
Historically arms belonged to individuals rather than whole families — which is why we use the term family crest. Our guide to family crests vs. coats of arms explains the difference.
Can I find gifts for other surnames in my family?
Yes — we cover more than 1,400 Irish surnames. Type any family name into the search bar at the top of the page.
Irish, Scottish, and Welsh names in one family? Explore the full Heritage Trio of collections — search your surname in our store and find a gift for every branch of the tree.
