MacGofern History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Early Origins of the MacGofern family

Early History of the MacGofern family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGofern research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1410, 1444, 1476, 1481, 1547, 1581, 1587 and 1593 are included under the topic Early MacGofern History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacGofern Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname MacGofern can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include MacGovern, Magauran, MacGoveran, MacGoverin and others.

Early Notables of the MacGofern family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacGofern Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacGofern family

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the MacGofern name: Daniel MacGoveran, who settled in Philadelphia in 1840; Andrew, Bernard, Edward, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Peter, Terry, Thomas MacGovern all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.