Gilroy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish emigration to North America began modestly in the late 18th century. At this time, Irish families made the journey to British North America and the United States by choice and after careful consideration: they were primarily in search of a suitably large stretch of land to call their own. This pattern would change most dramatically during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For example, the years 1825-1845 saw approximately 450,000 heading to British North America and 400,000 to the United States, but in 1847, at the height of the famine, it is estimated that more than 104,000 Irish immigrants went to British North America and more than 119,000 to the United States. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Gilroy:

Gilroy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• John Gilroy, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1765 3

Gilroy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles Gilroy, aged 19, who landed in New York in 1812 3
• Catherine Gilroy, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1854 3
• Terrence Gilroy, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 3
• Patrick Gilroy, who arrived in Arkansas in 1860 3
• James Gilroy, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1864
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gilroy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Annie Gilroy, aged 19, who landed in America from Dromorew, in 1900
• Anne Gilroy, aged 60, who landed in America from Komanagh, in 1901
• Agnes Gilroy, aged 27, who landed in America from Cork, in 1903
• A. John Gilroy, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States from Derrynure, Ireland, in 1906
• Bartley Gilroy, aged 21, who landed in America from Ballina, Ireland, in 1907
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gilroy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mr. Edward Gilroy, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Argyle" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in October 1847 4

Gilroy Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• Alfred Allison Gilroy, aged 39, who immigrated to Toronto, in 1904

Gilroy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. George Gilroy, British settler, from Scotland travelling from London aboard the ship "New Great Britain" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 10th August 1863 5
• Miss Catherine Gilroy, British settler, from Scotland travelling from London aboard the ship "New Great Britain" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 10th August 1863 5
• John Gilroy, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Bluff, New Zealand aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" in 1875
• Marion Gilroy, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in Bluff, New Zealand aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" in 1875

• Frank Daniel Gilroy (1925-2015), American playwright, screenwriter, and film producer and director, recipient of the Tony award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play, The Subject Was Roses in 1965
• Anthony Joseph Gilroy (b. 1956), American screenwriter and filmmaker, nominee for an Academy Award
• Dan Gilroy (b. 1959), American screenwriter
• Frederick "Freddie" Gilroy (1936-2016), Northern Irish bronze medalist boxer at the 1956 Summer Olympics
• Keith Gilroy (b. 1983), Irish footballer
• Thomas Francis Gilroy (1840-1911), Irish born mayor of New York 1893-94
• Jackie Gilroy (1942-2007), former Gaelic footballer
• Brigadier Alistair Gilroy (1897-1968), British Commanding Officer 135th Brigade (1945) 6
• Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy KBE (1896-1977), Australian clergyman
• Jack Gilroy Dearlove (1911-1967), English bronze medalist rower for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics, father of Sir Richard Dearlove