MacGoveran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The MacGoveran surname was originally the Irish Gaelic Mag Shamhrain, which is derived from the word "samhra," meaning "summer." 1

Early Origins of the MacGoveran family

The surname MacGoveran was first found in County Cavan. The family claim descent through "Breannan, brother of Hugh Fionn who is No. 93 on the 'O'Rourke' pedigree." 1

Early History of the MacGoveran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGoveran 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 MacGoveran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacGoveran Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname MacGoveran that are preserved in archival documents are MacGovern, Magauran, MacGoveran, MacGoverin and others.

Early Notables of the MacGoveran family

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

MacGoveran migration to the United States +

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name MacGoveran to North America:

MacGoveran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel MacGoveran, who settled in Philadelphia in 1840

Citations +

O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)