Séamus since then. Though still used by some as a derogatory term, the great preponderance of Irish and Irish-American law enforcement officers led to a persisting stereotype, and the name "Shamus" continues to refer to Irish-American police and private detectives. Séamus Variant spellings include ', ', ', ', "Shaymus", "Sheamus" and "Shamus". Diminutives include ', ' and "". In the United States, the word "Shamus" is a derogatory slang misspelling of Séamus that arose during the 19th century as more than 4.5 million Irish immigrated to America, peaking at almost two million between 1845 and 1852 during ""The Great Hunger"" (Irish:
Shamus O'Brien Shamus O'Brien William Shamus O’Brien (November 29, 1907 in Neilston, Scotland – November 28, 1981 in Bangor, Maine) was a U.S.-Scottish soccer inside left. During his Hall of Fame career, O’Brien spent eight seasons in the first American Soccer League and another five in the second American Soccer League. While born in Scotland, O’Brien’s family immigrated to the United States when he was eleven. They initially settled in Newport News, Virginia when his father was hired by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. However, the family did not remain in Virginia, but moved to Kearny, New Jersey where O’Brien