Shaughnessy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Shaughnessy or one of its variants:

Shaughnessy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Margaret Shaughnessy, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 2
• Michael Shaughnessy, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 2
• James Shaughnessy, aged 18, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 2
• John Shaughnessy, aged 23, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1853 2
• Patrick, James, John, and Michael Shaughnessy all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shaughnessy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Annie Shaughnessy, aged 0, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1902
• Benedik Shaughnessy, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Roscommon, in 1905
• Alice Shaughnessy, aged 14, who immigrated to America from Drumlish, Longford, Ireland, in 1906
• Abina Shaughnessy, aged 18, who landed in America from Co. Lalway, Ireland, in 1907
• Annie Shaughnessy, aged 18, who landed in America from Ballinrobe, Ireland, in 1908
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shaughnessy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Patrick Shaughnessy, aged 35, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "William" from Cork, Ireland
• Ellen Shaughnessy, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "William" from Cork, Ireland
• Miss. Catherine Shaughnessy, aged 8 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Argo" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3

Shaughnessy Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• Alice J. Shaughnessy, aged 23, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1904

Shaughnessy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Bridget Shaughnessy, (b. 1815), aged 22, Irish servant who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years for house robbery, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 1 daughter 4
• Miss Mary Shaughnessy, (Button), (b. 1829), aged 21, Irish country servant who was convicted in County Clare, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Duke of Cornwall" on 8th July 1850, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), she died in 1920 5
• Miss Judy Shaughnessy, Irish country servant who was convicted in County Clare, Ireland for 15 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Blackfriar" on 24th January 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mary Shaughnessy, aged 26, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emerald Isle" 7
• Margaret Shaughnessy, aged 24, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Confiance" 8
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shaughnessy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Patrick Shaughnessy, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878
• Mr. John Shaughnessy, (b. 1851), aged 32, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Trevelyan" arriving in Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 30th December 1883 9
• Mr. John Shaughnessy, (b. 1853), aged 30, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Trevelyan" arriving in Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 30th December 1883 9

• Clark Daniel Shaughnessy (1892-1970), born Clark Daniel O'Shaughnessy, an American football coach and innovator often called the "father of the T formation" and the original founder of the forward pass
• Edwin Thomas "Ed" Shaughnessy (1929-2013), American drummer, best known for his work with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
• Meghann Shaughnessy (b. 1979), American professional tennis player
• Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy (b. 1955), 5th Baron Shaughnessy
• Michael James Shaughnessy (1946-2007), 4th Baron Shaughnessy
• William Graham Shaughnessy (1922-2003), 3rd Baron Shaughnessy
• William James Shaughnessy (1883-1938), 2nd Baron Shaughnessy
• Thomas George Shaughnessy KCVO (1853-1923), 1st Baron Shaughnessy, Irish-born, Canadian railway administrator, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1899 - 1918
• Alfred James Shaughnessy (1916-2005), English scriptwriter and producer
• Charles Shaughnessy (b. 1955), English television and film actor