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Leahey History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Leahey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

While many of Irish names are quite familiar to most, their original Gaelic forms are often forgotten and mysterious. The original Gaelic form of the name Leahey is Ó Laochdha, which is derived from the word laochdha, which means heroic. 1

Early Origins of the Leahey family

The surname Leahey was first found in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and were descended from the tribe of Uaithne.

Early History of the Leahey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leahey research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1270, 1420 and 1641 are included under the topic Early Leahey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leahey Spelling Variations

Ireland in the Middle Ages was inhabited by very few literate people. Therefore, the proper spelling of names was decided by a very select few. The surviving records for the time demonstrate that these scribes were often not consistent in their efforts for there are many spelling variations of certain common names. Some of the variations for the name Leahey include Leahy, Leahey, Leghe, Lahey, Lahy, O'Leahy and others.

Early Notables of the Leahey family

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

Leahey migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the late 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape such hunger and disease. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Leahey:

Leahey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ellen Leahey, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1854 2
Mary Leahey, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1854 2
Thomas Leahey, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1854 2
Edward, Giles and John Leahey, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1842 and 1858

Leahey migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leahey Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Patrick Leahey in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1754 3

Leahey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Leahey in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1813 3
Edward Leahey in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1816
William Leahey in King's Cove, Newfoundland in 1817 3
Michael Leahey in Heart's Desire, Newfoundland in 1871 3

Leahey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Leahey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Anastasia Leahey, aged 21, a kitchen maid, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Northern Light" 4
M. Leahey, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Northern Light" 4

Leahey migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Leahey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Margaret Leahey, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" in 1855 5
Michael Leahey, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" in 1855 5
George Leahey, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" in 1855 5
Mrs. Magaret Leahey, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 17th October 1855 5
Mr. Michael Leahey, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 17th October 1855 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Leahey (post 1700) +

Andrew Leahey, American roots, rock and roll musician, and also a music journalist. His band, Andrew Leahey & The Homestead, has released four albums and one EP
Matthew Leahey, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Suffield; Elected 1942 6
Joseph P. Leahey, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York, 1990, 1992 6
Francis M. Leahey, American Republican politician, First Selectman of Suffield, Connecticut, 1954-57 6
Mimi Leahey, American two-time Daytime Emmy Award nominated and Writers Guild of America Award winning television soap opera script writer
Harry Leahey (1935-1990), American Jazz guitarist

The Leahey 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: Tout vient de dieu
Motto Translation: All comes from God.

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Norther Light 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/northernlight1855.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html