Clancey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families began to immigrate to British North America and the United States in the 18th century, but the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. The earlier settlers came to North America after a great deal of consideration and by paying relatively high fees for their passage. These settlers were primarily drawn by the promise of land. Those later settlers that came during the 1840's were trying to escape the conditions of poverty, starvation, disease, and death that had stricken Ireland. Due to the enormity of their numbers and the late date of their arrival, these immigrants primarily became hired laborers instead of homesteading settlers like their predecessors. An exhaustive search of immigration and passenger lists has revealed many Irish immigrants North America bearing the name Clancey:

Clancey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Dennis Clancey, aged 43, who arrived in Maryland in 1777 2

Clancey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Clancey, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 2
• Michael Clancey, aged 24, who landed in Missouri in 1844 2
• James Clancey, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 2
• Moses Clancey, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1854 2

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clancey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Patrick Clancey, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland

Clancey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Bernard Clancey, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
• Mr. Michael Clancey, (b. 1802), aged 17, Irish servant who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years for uttering forged notes, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
• John Clancey, aged 24, a cow keeper, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Trafalgar" 4
• Mary Clancey, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Northern Light" 5
• Eliza Clancey, aged 26, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Aliquis"
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clancey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Thomas Clancey, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Malborough aboard the ship "Gainsborough" in 1878 6

Clancey Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Cornelius Clancey who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants

• William J. Clancey (b. 1952), American computer scientist who specializes in cognitive science and artificial intelligence
• George Clancey (1881-1921), American actor of the silent era, best known for The Cringer (1912), The Stinger Stung (1916) and The Sheriff's Prisoner (1912)
• Ty Clancey, American director and producer, known for Gigi: Almost American (2011), Marvel Mash-Up (2012) and The Lost Nomads: Get Lost! (2009)
• Margaret Clancey (1897-1989), American film editor, best known for her work on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938), Four Sons (1928) and History Is Made at Night (1937)
• Julia Clancey, British London-based fashion designer
• Phillip Alexander Clancey (1917-2001), Scottish authority on the ornithology of South Africa
• Carol Clancey Harter (1941-2023), American academic administrator who was the 7th president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) (1995–2006)