Mahaffey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe ancestors of the Mahaffey family lived among the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Their name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Debshithe, which means the black man of peace. Early Origins of the Mahaffey familyThe surname Mahaffey was first found in Wigtown (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, where they held a family seat from very early times. This distinguished Clan was originally known as the Clan MacKilhaffy and held a family seat at Craig Caffe in the parish of Inch. Early History of the Mahaffey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mahaffey research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1320 and 1540 are included under the topic Early Mahaffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mahaffey Spelling VariationsThe variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Mahaffey has appeared as Mahaffy, Mehaffy, MacHaffie, Mahaffie, McHaffie, MacHaffy, McHaffy, MacGilhaffie, McGilhaffie, MacGilhaffy, McGilhaffy, MacKilhaffy, McKilhaffy, MacKilhaffie, McKilhaffie, MacIlhaffie, McIlhaffie, MacIlhaffy, McIlhaffy, MacCaffee, McCaffee, MacCaffie, McCaffie, McCaffy, MacCaffy, Milhaffie, Milhaffy, Mahalfie, Mahalfy and many more. Early Notables of the Mahaffey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Mahaffey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mahaffey RankingIn the United States, the name Mahaffey is the 4,472nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 Migration of the Mahaffey family to IrelandSome of the Mahaffey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Mahaffey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Mahaffey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Mahaffey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
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