McGarrity History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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 McGarrity name:

McGarrity Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• James McGarrity, aged 6, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1839 2
• G M McGarrity, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 2

McGarrity Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• James McGarrity, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Aliquis"

• Joseph McGarrity (1874-1940), Irish-born, American who was the principal financier of the 1916 Rising
• Michael McGarrity (b. 1939), American author and former law enforcement officer
• Eoin McGarrity, Irish Gaelic footballer
• Kevin McGarrity, Irish member of the 1998, 1999 Nordic Racing team in the International Formula 3000