This is a fairly recent (July 2019) study. 

Dillane is my direct paternal lineage. 

I began this study after attempting to research my own ancestry.  I discovered that many of this surname in the Western world trace back to the one region in Ireland, the Kerry/Limerick border. In the late 1700s there was a strong concentration of Dillane around Listowel.

The Dillane clan/family were Irish Catholic and were very difficult to research until the National Library of Ireland digitized and published the Irish Catholic Parish Records. At about the same time, genealogical DNA testing became popular and has enabled many Dillane descendants to reconnect.  

These two events have made this study feasible at last.

I welcome any communication by anyone connected with this surname, even if it is just to say 'Hello, I'm a Dillane!'  Any information, family lore, images or clues about the lives of Dillane across the world will be gratefully received.  

I also welcome queries from anyone researching this surname and will provide any details I can.

A contact email address is provided below.

At this point, this study is focused on the surname Dillane only.

Many Dillane descendants have become Dillon.  Where 'Dillon' has clearly morphed out of 'Dillane' this study will collect and present data on this surname also. However, Dillon is actually a separate surname in its own right so is not considered a true variant.

Misspellings - such as Delane, Dilane, Dilleane, Dillan - are noted and recorded but so far have proven to be transitory only. 

Various theories exist regarding the origin of 'Dillane'.

Y-DNA test results show that Dillane paternal lines in Ireland predate Cromwell. Whether they predate the arrival of Henry II is being examined.

Some theories suggest that the name comes from Lyon in France.  This is plausible but to date remains unproven. 

The most famous Dillane was Patrick Dillane of Croom in Limerick . Patrick was a blacksmith and credited in many sources as the founder of the Rockites, a rebel group who fought for their autonomy and freedom against English landlords in the 1820s. 

Dillane is rare. It was once common in the counties of Kerry, Limerick and Cork and can still be found there today.  

A quick search on Findmypast shows:

Dillane in Australia - 785 records

Dillane in Great Britain - 1238 records

Dillane in Canada - 257 records

Dillane in United States - 1595 records

There are likely to be several records for each individual but this gives an indication of frequency until better stats can be uploaded. 

Dillane is focused in western Ireland but can be found wherever Irish diaspora have settled, predominantly Canada, Australia and the United States. Although some settled in England, most did not.

Very few Dillanes seem to have changed their religion. While some individuals certainly have, the family groups to the most recently deceased appear to have continued as Catholic.  Dillane families also appear to have continued to live in rural areas and to have stayed with agricultural pursuits.