First found in the county of Tipperary, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Thousands of Irish Families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name O'Dwyer: Peter Dwire who settled in Virginia in 1773; Catherine Dwier settled in New York in 1747; Pierce Dwyre settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1716; John Dwyer settled in Virginia in 1736.

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