Show ContentsMcCosker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish surnames are all based on the Gaelic language native to Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name McCosker is Mag Uidhir, which is derived from the word odhar, meaning dun-colored; in the genitive case, the word is uidhir.

Early Origins of the McCosker family

The surname McCosker was first found in County Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster.

Early History of the McCosker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCosker research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCosker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCosker Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname McCosker that are preserved in archival documents are MacCosker, MacCusker, MacOsker, MacOscar and many more.

Early Notables of the McCosker family

More information is included under the topic Early McCosker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McCosker migration to the United States +

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name McCosker to North America:

McCosker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • F.G. McCosker, aged 50, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Teutonic" from Liverpool, England 1
  • Mary McCosker, aged 20, originally from Ballinderry, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "State of Nebraska" from Glasgow via Moville 1
  • Alice Mc Cosker, aged 36, originally from Belfast, Ireland, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1894 aboard the ship "City of Rome" from Glasgow via Moville 1
  • Sarah McCosker, aged 17, who arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Furnessia" from Londonderry, Ireland 1
McCosker Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mary McCosker, aged 40, originally from Tyrone, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1905 aboard the ship "Furnessia" from Londonderry, Ireland 1

Australia McCosker migration to Australia +

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

McCosker Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Hugh McCosker, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

Contemporary Notables of the name McCosker (post 1700) +

  • John Edward McCosker, American expert in ichthyology who has been part of expeditions to countries such as Antarctic, Australia, and the Galapagos; he has been featured in eight documentaries, eponym of McCosker's worm eel (Neenchelys mccoskeri) and McCosker's flasher wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
  • Kim McCosker, Australian author, best known for her 4 Ingredients series of cookbooks
  • Richard Bede McCosker (b. 1946), former Australian cricketer who played for New South Wales (1973-1974 and 1983-1984), Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1976


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth


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