Hegarty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Under the rule of England, land ownership in Ireland changed dramatically, and many native Irish families found themselves renting out land to farm from absentee owners. This was one of the prime reasons that immigration to North America began in the late 18th century: Irish farmers dreamed of owning their own parcel of land to work for themselves. At this point, the immigrants were at least of modest means for the passage across the Atlantic was often quite dear. In the 1840s the Great Potato Famine created an exodus of people of quite different means. These people were most often destitute: they either sold anything they had to gain a passage or they were sponsored by philanthropic societies. Many of these immigrants were sick from disease and starvation: as a result many did not survive the long transatlantic journey. Although those settlers that did survive were often despised and discriminated against by people already established in these nations, they were critical to rapid development of the powerful industrial nations of the United States and the country that would later become known as Canada. An examination of immigration and passenger lists shows many persons bearing the name of Hegarty or one of its variants:

Hegarty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John, Michael, Robert, and Thomas Hegarty who, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860
• Charles Hegarty, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1896 2

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hegarty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Daniel Hegarty, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
• John Hegarty, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834
• John Hegarty, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor" in 1834
• William Hegarty, aged 31, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
• Peter Hegarty, aged 16, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hegarty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Margaret Hegarty, (b. 1813), aged 24, Irish servant who was convicted in County Clare, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 1 daughter 3
• James Hegarty, aged 32, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" 4

• William A. Hegarty, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1940, 1944 5
• Willam E. Hegarty, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona 1st District, 1982 5
• Michael Hegarty (b. 1933), American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1976; Member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1979; Candidate for justice of Michigan State Supreme Court, 1980 5
• John J. Hegarty, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for New York, 1956 5
• Mary Hegarty, Irish award winning opera soprano
• Den Hegarty (b. 1954), Irish rock and roll singer
• Séamus Hegarty (b. 1940), Lord Bishop of Raphoe (1982-1994), Lord Bishop of Derry
• Nicholas Ian "Nick" Hegarty (b. 1986), English footballer
• Shannon Hegarty (b. 1979), Australian former rugby league footballer
• Paul Anthony Hegarty (b. 1954), Scottish former football player
• ... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)