Harrigan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish migrating out of their homeland in a great measure due to the oppressive imperial policies of the English government and landowners. Many of these Irish families sailed to North America aboard overcrowded passenger ships. By far, the largest influx of Irish immigrants to North America occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These particular immigrants were instrumental in creation of the United States and Canada as major industrial nations because the many essential elements such as the roadways, canals, bridges, and railways required an enormous quantity of cheap labor, which these poor immigrants provided. Later generations of Irish in these countries also went on to make valuable contributions in such fields as the arts, commerce, politics, and education. Extensive research into immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Harrigan:

Harrigan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles Harrigan, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1855 2
• Patrick Harrigan, aged 25, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1860 2
• Benjamin, Cornelius, Edmond, James, John, Patrick, Michael and William Harrigan all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1849 and 1874

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harrigan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Andrew Harrigan, who settled in Carbonear, Newfoundland in 1803 3
• Margaret Harrigan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1835
• David Harrigan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1836
• Mr. John Harrigan, aged 3 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Gilmour" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In June 1847 4
• Miss. Catherine Harrigan, aged 5 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Free Briton" departing 25th May 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th July 1847 but she died on board 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrigan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Daniel Harrigan, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 6
• Mr. Charles Harrigan, (b. 1822), aged 20, English convict who was convicted in Salford, Greater Manchester, England for 15 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 25th June 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1847 7
• Hannah Harrigan, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Flora" 8
• Catherine Harrigan, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nimroud"
• Thomas Harrigan, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "David McIvor"

Harrigan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• John Harrigan, aged 28, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hannibal" in 1875
• James Harrigan, aged 26, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hannibal" in 1875
• Denis Harrigan, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rangitikei" in 1884

• Matt Harrigan, American television writer, producer, and voice actor
• Daniel Lee Harrigan (b. 1955), American gold and bronze medalist competitive swimmer, recipient of the NCAA Top Five Award (1979)
• Edward Harrigan (1844-1911), American actor and vaudevillian, dramatist, playwright and composer, member of Harrigan and Hart, famous collaborators in American musical theatre
• Lori Harrigan (b. 1970), American three-time Olympic gold medalist softball player
• William Harrigan (1893-1966), American actor
• John Harrigan (b. 1990), American actor, writer & filmmaker
• David Xavier Harrigan (1948-2000), American singer, actor, and painter
• J. C. Harrigan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Washington, 1920 9
• Edward R. Harrigan, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 15th District, 1938, 1940 9
• Daniel P. Harrigan, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Bridgeport, 1926 9
• ... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)