| ![Show Contents]() Galigher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland The Irish name Galigher has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Galigher is Ó Gallchobhair, derived from the word "gallchobhar," which means "foreign help." Early Origins of the Galigher familyThe surname Galigher 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 Galigher familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Galigher research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1547, 1725 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Galigher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Galigher Spelling VariationsIrish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Galigher dating from that time include Gallagher, Gallacher, Gallaugher, Gallaughor, Gallager and many more. Early Notables of the Galigher 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 Galigher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Galigher familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Galigher family relocated to North American shores quite early: Charles, David, Francis, James, John, Michael, and Thomas Galagher who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1865.
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