Greghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland
• Scotland

Early Origins of the Greghan family

Early History of the Greghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greghan research. Another 208 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Greghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greghan Spelling Variations

The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name Greghan were encountered in the archives: Gormley, O'Gormley, Grehan, Gormleigh, Gormly, Gormlie, Grimes and many more.

Early Notables of the Greghan family

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

Migration of the Greghan family

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Greghan: Michael Gormley, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1840; and Thady, John, Bridget, Catherine and Mary Gormley who settled in Quebec in 1848.