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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2010

Origin Displayed: Irish

Where did the Irish McCaffrey family come from? What is the Irish coat of arms/family crest? When did the McCaffrey family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

There are multitude of rich histories underlying the many Irish surnames in use today. The name McCaffrey originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Gafraidh. Gafraidh or Gothraidh equates with the English personal name Godfrey. Variations that start with the prefix Mac or Mc mean son of Godfrey.

Irish names were rarely spelled with much consistency during the Middle Ages. As the many spelling variations of the name McCaffrey dating from that time attests: MacCaffery, MacCaffrey, MacCafferty, MacAffery, MacAffry, MacAfferty, MacGoffrey, MacGodfrey and many more.

First found in county Fermanagh, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

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More about the McCaffrey History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:





  • Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
  • Known spelling variations
  • Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
  • Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
  • First settlers to North America
  • Notable contemporary bearers of the name
  • A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

The 19th century brought a massive reduction in Ireland's population. It seemed that during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the Irish people had two options: starve or immigrate. Those that chose the later frequently headed for the United States, hopeful for land, work, and equality. Those determined for free land joined the migration west; while others stayed behind to live in urban centres and often work in factories. Still others began a transitory life in work camps, building the bridges, canals, railways, and highways so critical to the rapidly development of the growing industrial nation. Early pasenger and immigration lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name McCaffrey: Biddy MacCafferty who settled in Newcastle in 1804; Arthur, Charles, Daniel, Edward, Henry, Hugh, James, John, Patrick, and Robert MacCafferty all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.

For more information on the last name McCaffrey, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name McCaffrey


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the McCaffrey family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the McCaffrey coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the McCaffrey genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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McCaffrey Family Crest Products


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Coat of Arms for the name McCaffrey.
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Family Crest for the name McCaffrey.
Family Tree emphasing the family crest for the name McCaffrey.
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Keychains proudly displaying the McCaffrey coat of arms.
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Packages emphasing the McCaffrey family crest.
Plaques and Frames displaying the McCaffrey family crest.
Surname Histories for the name McCaffrey.
Symbolism with a McCaffrey coat of arms.
Travel Mugs proudly displaying the McCaffrey family crest.
Popular Products
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The McCaffrey Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The McCaffrey Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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