Show ContentsLysaght History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Surnames of Irish origin have experienced many changes in their spellings and forms. Before being translated into English, Lysaght appeared in Gaelic as Mac Giolla Iasachta, meaning "son of the servant of the foreigner."

Early Origins of the Lysaght family

The surname Lysaght was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Lysaght family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lysaght research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1763 is included under the topic Early Lysaght History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lysaght Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: M'Lysaght, McLysaght, MacLysaght, MacGillysaghty, MacGilliesaghta and many more.

Early Notables of the Lysaght family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • William MacLysaght who distinguished himself as an Irish Parliamentarian


United States Lysaght migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lysaght Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Lysaght, who arrived in Iowa in 1856
  • Henry Lysaght, who settled in Ohio in 1868
  • Patrick Lysaght, and James Lysaght, who both arrived in Boston in 1873

Canada Lysaght migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lysaght Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Lysaght, who was on record in Toronto in 1844
  • Honora Lysaght, who settled in Montreal sometime between 1851 and 1853

Australia Lysaght migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lysaght Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Lysaght, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Wanderer" [1]
  • Mary Lysaght, aged 25, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Wanderer" in 1851 [1]
  • Patrick Lysaght, aged 28, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" [2]
  • Margaret Lysaght, aged 18, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" [3]
  • Ellen Lysaght, aged 21, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Taymouth Castle" [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Lysaght migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lysaght Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Edmond Lysaght, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1863 [5]
  • Mr. Edmond Lysaght, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th February 1863 [6]
  • Bridget Lysaght, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blairgowrie" in 1875
  • Margaret Lysaght, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blairgowrie" in 1875
  • Julia Lysaght, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blairgowrie" in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Lysaght (post 1700) +

  • Thomas J. Lysaght, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State Senate 2nd District, 1919-22; Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1940 [7]
  • John Lysaght (1903-1997), 7th Baron Lisle of Mountnorth in the County of Cork, an Irish peer
  • John Lysaght (1811-1898), 5th Baron Lisle of Mountnorth in the County of Cork, an Irish peer
  • John Lysaght (1781-1834), 3rd Baron Lisle of Mountnorth in the County of Cork, an Irish peer
  • John Lysaght (1729-1798), 2nd Baron Lisle of Mountnorth in the County of Cork, an Irish peer
  • John Lysaght (1832-1895), Irish founder of John Lysaght and Co., an iron and steel company in Bristol, England in 1857, father of Sidney Lysaght
  • John Lysaght (b. 1702), 1st Baron Lisle of Mountnorth in the County of Cork, an Irish peer and politician, Member of the Parliament of Ireland for Charleville (1727-1758)
  • Sidney Royse Lysaght (1856-1941), Irish poet and novelist
  • Andrew Augustus Lysaght (1873-1933), Australian politician, 31st Attorney-General of New South Wales in 1927 and (1930-1931)
  • Cornelius James Terence Lysaght (b. 1965), English horse racing correspondent of the BBC
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Lysaght Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Congnam o Dia
Motto Translation: Help from God


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WANDERER 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Wanderer.htm
  2. South Australian Register Monday 20th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Thomas Gresham 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sirthomasgresham1854.shtml
  3. South Australian Register Monday 27th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Edward Parry 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/siredwardparry1854.shtml
  4. South Australian Register Thursday 4th May 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Taymouth Castle 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/taymouthcastle1854.shtml
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook