The O'Boylan sept of Oriel, which sprang originally from the same stock as the O'Flanagans of Fermanagh, were in early medieval times located in a widespread territory stretching from Fermanagh to Lough. Later they were reduced by the MacMahons, but still retained the greater part of the barony of Dartry in Co. Monaghan. O'Dugan in his fourteenth century "Topographical Poem" praises them for their horsemanship and comments on their blue eyes, calling them "the bold Kings of Dartry". They were still more numerous in the Monaghan-Cavan-Meath area than elsewhere. In Irish the name is O Baoighill, anglice Boyle (q.v.) The prefix O is seldom if ever used with Boylan in modern times, but the alternative form Boyland is sometimes found. The name does not appear prominently in Irish political or military history. Teresa Boylan (b. 1868) was a poetess of some note. Monsignor Patrick Boylan was a distinguished contemporary Hebrew scholar and President of the Royal Irish Academy.