Meaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Meaney family came to North America quite early:

Meaney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Ann Meaney, aged 22, who landed in Quebec in 1833

Meaney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Thomas Meaney, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Time and Truth" 4

• Kevin Gerard Meaney (1956-2016), American stand-up comedian and actor
• William S. Meaney, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1932 5
• John J. Meaney, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Orange and West Haven, 1940 5
• J. Clifford Meaney, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Bridgeport; Elected 1930 5
• Colm J. Meaney (b. 1953), Irish actor second only to Michael Dorn in most appearances in Star Trek episodes
• John Meaney (b. 1957), British science fiction author