Show ContentsConaghand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Conaghand surname comes from a proud and ancient past. The name Conaghand appeared originally in Gaelic as Ó Connachtain. 1

Early Origins of the Conaghand family

The surname Conaghand was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Conaghand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conaghand research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Conaghand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conaghand Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Conaghand family name include Cunigan, Conigan, Cunnigan, Conaghan, Conaughan, O'Cunigan, O'Conaghan, Connaghan, Connaughan, Kinneghan, Kinnegan and many more.

Early Notables of the Conaghand family

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

Migration of the Conaghand family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Conaghand name: Bernard, Hugh, James, and Michael Conaghan, Cornelius, Edward, Hugh, and William Conahan, Cormack and John Connaghan, Patrick Connahan, and Henry Coninghan, arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1865.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook