Show ContentsArdal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Ardal is Mac Ardghail, from the word "ardghal," which means "high valor."

Early Origins of the Ardal family

The surname Ardal was first found in County Louth (Irish: Lú) the smallest county in Ireland, located on the East coast, in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Ardal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ardal research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1592 are included under the topic Early Ardal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ardal Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Ardal were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Cardle, McCardle, Cardell, McCardel, McCardell and others.

Early Notables of the Ardal family

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

Migration of the Ardal family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Ardal family in North America: Arthur, Edward, Henry, James, William Cardell all settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860; James McCardle, also Michael, Owen, Patrick, Philip, Thomas, and James McArdy all settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860. Arthur, Peter, Philip and Mary McCardel settled in Pennsylvania between 1773 and 1845.


Contemporary Notables of the name Ardal (post 1700) +

  • Ardal O'Hanlon (b. 1965), Irish comedian and actor, best known for his roles in television sitcoms as Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted


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