Obeirne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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 Obeirne family in North America:

Obeirne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Thomas OBeirne, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1849 2

Obeirne Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• George O'Beirne, aged 41, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mexico" from Havana, Cuba 3
• Lellie O'Beirne, aged 34, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mexico" from Havana, Cuba 3

Obeirne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Patrick O'Beirne (Brien), (b. 1804), aged 43, Irish settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 4
• Mrs. Ellen O'Beirne (Brien) Née Hennesey, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 4
• Mr. William O'Beirne (Brien), (b. 1837), aged 10, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 4
• Child O'Beirne (Brien), Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 4

• Paul O'Beirne, American saxophonist, known by the pseudonym Apollo 9
• Kate Walsh O'Beirne (1949-2017), born Kate Walsh, American editor of National Review, known for her column "Bread and Circuses"
• Francis O'Beirne (1833-1899), Irish Home Rule League politician, Member of Parliament for Leitrim (1876-1885)
• James Lyster O'Beirne (1820-1895), Irish Liberal politician, Member of Parliament for Cashel (1865-1869)
• Kathleen Elizabeth "Kathy" O'Beirne (b. 1956), Irish author, best known for her controversial memoir, Kathy's Story, the most successful non-fiction book published by an Irish author
• The Right Reverend Thomas Lewis O'Beirne (1749-1823), Irish Anglican prelate, Bishop of Ossory (1795-1798), Bishop of Meath (1798-1823)
• Francis "Frank" O'Beirne (1898-1978), Irish farmer, businessman, Irish Republican activist
• Patrick Joseph O'Beirne (1900-1980), Irish professional footballer
• Gerry O'Beirne, Irish musician, producer, and songwriter
• Eugene Francis O'Beirne, Canadian explorer with William Wentworth-FitzWilliam and Walter Butler Cheadle's expedition over the Yellowhead Pass, eponym of Mount O'Beirne, on the border of Alberta and British Columbia