| ![Show Contents]() Galacher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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 Ireland The Irish name Galacher has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Galacher is Ó Gallchobhair, derived from the word "gallchobhar," which means "foreign help." Early Origins of the Galacher familyThe surname Galacher was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, but claim descent from a warrior named "Gallchobhar" and held lands in the baronies of Raphoe and Tir Hugh. They held a castle at Ballyshannon and at one time also held the castle of Lifford. The Sept's chiefs were the traditional Marshals in the O'Donnells' military forces from the 14th to 16th centuries. The main branch of the family was based at Ballybeit and Ballynaglack. Early History of the Galacher familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Galacher research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1547, 1725 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Galacher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Galacher Spelling VariationsThe recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Galacher revealed spelling variations, including Gallagher, Gallacher, Gallaugher, Gallaughor, Gallager and many more. Early Notables of the Galacher familyNotable among the family name at this time was Bishop Redmund O'Gallagher, The Diocese of Killala, who was imprisoned and banished from the diocese on fraudulent charges; Redmond O'Gallagher, who was appointed Bishop of Killala by Pope Paul III in 1545; and Art O'Gallagher, Papal...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Galacher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Galacher familyIrish 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 Galacher name: Charles, David, Francis, James, John, Michael, and Thomas Galagher who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1865.
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