Gormley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Gormley to North America:

Gormley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• John Gormley, who landed in America in 1795 2

Gormley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patrick Gormley, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 2
• Bernard Gormley, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 2
• Martin Gormley, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 2
• Francis Gormley, who arrived in New York in 1822 2
• Michael Gormley, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1840
• ... (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:

Gormley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John Gormley, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
• James Gormley, aged 29, a weaver, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
• Mrs. Francis Gormley, aged 45 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Superior" departing from the port of Londonderry, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 3
• Miss. Martha Gormley, aged 5 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Sir Henry Pottinger" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
• Thady, John, Bridget, Catherine and Mary Gormley who, who settled in Quebec in 1848

Gormley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mary Gormley, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"
• Terence Gormley, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Confiance" 4
• Elizabeth Gormley, aged 30, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "James Jardine"

• Thomas Francis "Tom" Gormley (1891-1951), American professional football player
• Joseph Leo Gormley (1914-2004), American chief of chemistry and toxicology for the FBI
• Ken Gormley, American Dean of the school of law and a Professor of constitutional law at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Owen Gormley, American Government official
• Richard C. Gormley, American politician, U.S. Attorney for Arizona, 1966-67 5
• Martin E. Gormley, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Connecticut 5th District, 1930, 1932 5
• John E. Gormley, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New Hampshire State Senate 2nd District, 1940 5
• Elizabeth Gormley, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1924, 1928 5
• Edward J. Gormley, American politician, Mayor of McMinnville, Oregon, 1985-87 5
• E. S. Gormley, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1928 5
• ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)