Show ContentsMcGaughy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname is one of the native Irish surnames that come from the Irish Gaelic language. The original Gaelic form of the name McGaughy is "Mac Eachaidh," from the personal name Eachaidh, which is Anglicized as Aghy. It is cognate with Eochaigh, which is Anglicized as the once-common Christian name Oghy.

Early Origins of the McGaughy family

The surname McGaughy was first found in the county of Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the McGaughy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGaughy research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGaughy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGaughy Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name McGaughy family name. Variations found include Caughey, McCaughey, McGaughey, Coffee, Coffey, Coffy, O'Coffey, O'Coffy, Mulcahy, McGahey and many more.

Early Notables of the McGaughy family

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


Canada McGaughy migration to Canada +

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the McGaughy family in North America:

McGaughy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Abby McGaughy, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Robert Burns" in 1834

New Zealand McGaughy 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:

McGaughy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Catherine McGaughy, aged 20, a dairymaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hudson" in 1879

Contemporary Notables of the name McGaughy (post 1700) +

  • Hugh Dillman McGaughy (1885-1956), birth name of Hugh Dillman, an American Broadway and silent film actor, known for An Amateur Widow (1919), his first marriage was to Anna Dodge, widow of Detroit automobile magnate Horace Elgin Dodge; she was one of the wealthiest women in the world


The McGaughy 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: Non providentia sed victoria
Motto Translation: No victory without foresight


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