The surname is one of the native Irish surnames that come from the Irish Gaelic language. The original Gaelic form of the name Gaughey is "Mac Eachaidh," from the personal name Eachaidh, which is Anglicized as Aghy. It is cognate with Eochaigh, which is Anglicized as the once-common Christian name Oghy.
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Early Origins of the Gaughey family
The surname Gaughey was first found in the county of Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
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Early History of the Gaughey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaughey research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gaughey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gaughey Spelling Variations
The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Gaughey revealed spelling variations, including Caughey, McCaughey, McGaughey, Coffee, Coffey, Coffy, O'Coffey, O'Coffy, Mulcahy, McGahey and many more.
Early Notables of the Gaughey family
More information is included under the topic Early Gaughey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Gaughey family
Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Gaughey: John Caughey who settled in New York in 1845; James Coffe who settled in Boston in 1754; Bridget Coffee settled in Boston in 1849; John Coffee settled in Virginia in 1637.
Ireland
