Show ContentsMcGarty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name McGarty was originally written in a Gaelic form as Mag Oireachtaigh, which is derived from the word "oireachtach," referring to a member of an assembly. Translating the name into English produces no less than seventeen different synonyms. But the origin of the name is most intriguing. In the 12th century, the name was simply Ó Roduibh but a Oireachtach Ó Roduibh at that time caused the name to be shortened to Oireachtach, their present form.

Early Origins of the McGarty family

The surname McGarty was first found in counties Roscommon and Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they were one of the Hi Maine Septs in Kelly's country. They were direct descendants of the O'Connors, Kings of Connacht, and the Chief of the Clann was one of the four royal chiefs under the O'Connor. 1 The tree on the Coat of Arms illustrates their descendancy from the O'Connors.

Early History of the McGarty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGarty research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1585, 1598 and 1744 are included under the topic Early McGarty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGarty Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the McGarty family name include Gerrity, Gerty, Gerighty, Gerighaty, Gerety, Gerahty, Garraty, Geraty, Jerety, McGerity, MacGeraghty, MacGartie, MacGarty and many more.

Early Notables of the McGarty family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGarty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McGarty migration to the United States +

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the McGarty name:

McGarty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Sally McGarty, who arrived in New York State in 1847
McGarty Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Katie McGarty, aged 19, who settled in America from Ballenamore, Ireland, in 1908
  • Mary Ellen McGarty, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from Mohill, Ireland, in 1911
  • Michael McGarty, aged 19, who landed in America from Ballinamore, Ireland, in 1912
  • Celia McGarty, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Ballinsmore, Ireland, in 1912
  • Catharine McGarty, aged 21, who landed in America from Bolleck, Ireland, in 1915

Contemporary Notables of the name McGarty (post 1700) +

  • Packy McGarty (1933-2021), Gaelic football player from Mohill, County Leitrim who played for Leitrim (1949-1971)
  • Shona Bernadette McGarty (b. 1991), English actress, best known for her role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders


  1. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)


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