Show ContentsGlory History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Glory is derived from the patronymic Irish Gaelic name "O Labhradha," where "Labraidh" means "spokesman."

Early Origins of the Glory family

The surname Glory was first found in north-east Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh), where the sept originated. In the Middle Ages, their territory was around Moira in County Down. References from Lecale in 1447 state that Donatus MacGlory "held a bishop's court before the O'Neill and the Savage." In Swayne's Register, another member of the clergy was listed in the Archdiocese of Armagh in 1436 by the name of MacGlory or MacClory.

Early History of the Glory family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glory research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1659 is included under the topic Early Glory History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glory Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lavery, Lowry, O'Lowry, MacGlory, MacGlowry, McGlory and many more.

Early Notables of the Glory family

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


United States Glory migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Glory Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Frederick Glory, aged 50, who arrived in New York in 1812 1

Canada Glory migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Glory Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Laurens Glory, who landed in Montreal in 1658

Contemporary Notables of the name Glory (post 1700) +

  • Glory Filpo, Actress known for her work "Cyclone"


The Glory Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtus semper viridis
Motto Translation: Virtue is always flourishing.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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