Gaynor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Gaynor:

Gaynor Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Gaynor, who landed in New York in 1801 5
• Michael Gaynor, who landed in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1840 5
• Capt. Gaynor, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
• Austin, Edward, James, John, Luke, Patrick, and Peter Gaynor, all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
• James S Gaynor, who arrived in Mississippi in 1868 5

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gaynor Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. James Gaynor U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1823 6
• Mr. Peter Gaynor U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 6

Gaynor Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Catherine Gaynor, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Edwin" from Dublin, Ireland
• Mrs. Margaret Gaynor, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Marinus" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 7
• Mr. Edward Gaynor, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Ashburton" departing 13th September 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 1st November 1847 but he died on board 8
• Ms. Mary Gaynor, aged 24 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Jessie" departing 3rd June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 24th July 1847 but she died on board 8
• Edward Walter Gaynor, who landed in Canada in 1888

Gaynor Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Edward Gaynor, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
• Mr. John Gaynor, (James, Gainer, Gaine, Gagnor), (b. 1804), aged 16, Irish errand boy who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
• Miss Mary Ann Gaynor, (b. 1817), aged 20, Irish childs maid who was convicted in Sligo, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
• Mr. Patrick Gaynor, (b. 1808), aged 30, Irish soldier who was convicted in Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa for life for mutiny, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
• H. Gaynor, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Calphurnia" in 1849 13
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gaynor Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Terence Gaynor, aged 19, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen of Nations" in 1874

• John Bernard "J.B." Gaynor (b. 1990), American former teen actor, best known for his role as Young Eddie in Grounded for Life
• Gloria Gaynor (b. 1949), born Gloria Fowles, American singer, best known for the disco era hits "I Will Survive" and "Never Can Say Goodbye"
• Adam Gaynor (b. 1963), American rhythm guitarist, best-known as the former rhythm guitarist for the band Matchbox Twenty
• Mitzi Gaynor (b. 1931), born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, an American Laurel and Emmy Award winning actress, singer, and dancer perhaps best known for her role in Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific
• Janet Gaynor (1906-1984), American silent film actress who became the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in three films, the only occasion on which an actress has won for multiple roles
• William Jay Gaynor (1849-1913), American mayor of the City of New York from 1910 to 1913, as well as a New York Supreme Court Justice from 1893 to 1909
• Francis Robert Gaynor (1852-1920), American Republican politician, District judge in Iowa 4th District, 1891-1912; Justice of Iowa State Supreme Court, 1913-20 14
• Edward M. Gaynor, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 5th District, 1950 14
• Donald Gaynor, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 2000 14
• Dan Gaynor, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1956 14
• ... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)