Culligan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many destitute Irish families in the 18th and 19th centuries decided to leave their homeland, which had in many ways been scarred by English colonial rule. One of the most frequent destinations for these families was North America where it was possible for an Irish family to own their own parcel of land. Many of the early settlers did find land awaiting them in British North America, or even later in America, but for the majority of immigrants that arrived as a result of the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the ownership of land was often a long way off. These Irish people were initially put to work on such industrial projects as the building of bridges, canals, and railroads, or they worked at manufacturing positions within factories. Whenever they arrived, the Irish made enormous contributions to the infant nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the earliest immigrants to bearer the name of Culligan were found through extensive research of immigration and passenger lists:

Culligan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Pat Culligan, aged 60, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 2
• Michael Culligan, who arrived in New York in 1843 2
• Charles Culligan, who arrived in New York in 1847 2
• John Culligan, who landed in New York in 1847 2
• Bridget Culligan, aged 14, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Culligan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John, Pat and Simon Culligan, who, who arrived in Quebec in 1839
• Ms. Ann Culligan, aged 20 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Naomi" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
• Mr. Barney Culligan, aged 24 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Ajax" departing 16th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 23rd June 1847 but he died on board 4
• Mr. Francis Culligan who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Goliah" departing 21st May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 18th July 1847 but he died on board 4

Culligan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Patrick Culligan, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Catherine" 5
• Patrick Culligan, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Catherine" in 1851 5
• Bridget Culligan, aged 30, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Catherine" in 1851 5

Culligan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mrs. Culligan, Australian settler travelling from Newcastle, Australia aboard the ship "Bobycito" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 10th December 1874 6

• Patrick Culligan, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Alpena, Michigan, 1886-89 7
• Ernest M. Culligan, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 13th District, 1934 7
• John W. Culligan (1916-2004), American business executive, president and CEO of Whitehall Laboratories
• Emmett Culligan, American founder of the Culligan water purification company in 1936
• Andy Culligan, Canadian retired professional NHL ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1965
• Tom Culligan (b. 1945), Canadian entrepreneur, co-founder of The Second Cup
• Arthur Culligan (1879-1929), Canadian farmer, lumberman and politician in New Brunswick