Claffey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The surname Claffey comes from the Irish name Mac Laithimh, from "flaitheamh" meaning "ruler." In Ulster the name is anglicized as MacClave and MacLave. In County Monaghan, however, the name is frequently mistranslated as Hand, since the name is phonetically similar to another Gaelic word "lamh" for "hand." Claffey is the most common variant in the midlands of Ireland. 1

Early Origins of the Claffey family

The surname Claffey was first found in Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh).

Early History of the Claffey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Claffey research. More information is included under the topic Early Claffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claffey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Claffey, MacClaffey, MacClave, MacLave, Hand and others.

Early Notables of the Claffey family

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

Claffey migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Claffey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John and Thomas Claffey were naturalized in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840
Thomas Claffey, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840 2
John Claffey, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840 2
Peter Claffey, who landed in New York in 1841 2
John Claffey in Pennsylvania in 1855
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Claffey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Claffey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bernard Claffey a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 3
James Claffey, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Royal Albert"

Claffey 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:

Claffey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Claffey, (b. 1828), aged 46, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 4
Mrs. Catherine Claffey, (b. 1832), aged 42, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 4
Miss Catherine Claffey, (b. 1854), aged 20, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 4
Mr. Patrick Claffey, (b. 1856), aged 18, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 4
Mr. Thomas Claffey, (b. 1857), aged 17, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Claffey (post 1700) +

Kevin P. Claffey, American publisher researcher at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
Jessica Dalton Claffey, American production manager, known for Breadwinners, Slacker Cats and Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling (2019)
Tom Claffey, American cinematographer and editor, known for A Straight White Man (2016), 20/20 with Cats (2017) and Enemies of Dorothy (2017)
Ryan Claffey, American award winning writer and director, known for his work on Sacrifice (2013), London Stories (2012) and Robin Hood (2010)
Ray Claffey, American director, known for The Simpsons Movie (2007), Futurama (1999-2011), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990-1991)
Niall Claffey (b. 1978), Irish hurler from Birr, County Offaly (1999-2006)
Una Claffey (b. 1947), Irish journalist, political correspondent, writer and political adviser to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2000
Vinny Claffey, retired Irish hurler from Doon, County Offaly
Daniel Claffey (1869-1924), New Zealand cricketer who played two first-class matches for Otago between 1888 and 1890
Oliver Westfield Claffey (b. 1990), better known by the ring name Jack Gallagher and "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher, an English professional wrestler and mixed martial artist

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html