MacGile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Early Origins of the MacGile family

Early History of the MacGile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGile research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacGile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacGile Spelling Variations

The search for the origins of the name MacGile family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include MacHale, McHale, MacHail, McHail, McCale, MacCale and others.

Early Notables of the MacGile family

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

Migration of the MacGile family

The 18th century saw the slow yet steady emigration of Irish families to British North America and the United States. Those early Irish settlers that left their homeland were typically moderately well off: they were enticed by the promise of a sizable plot of land. However, by the 1840s, this pattern of immigration was gone: immigrants to North America were seeking refuge from the starvation and disease that the Great Potato Famine of that decade brought. The great numbers of Irish that arrived to the United States and the soon to be Canada were instrumental in their quick development as powerful industrial nations. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists uncovered many early immigrants bearing the name MacGile: Anthony, James, John, Martin, Patrick, Peter and Richard MacHale all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.