| ![Show Contents]() McFox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland The surname McFox originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Sionnaigh, derived from the word "sionnach," which means "fox." 1 Early Origins of the McFox familyThe surname McFox was first found in County Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early History of the McFox familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McFox research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1624, 1627, 1661, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1685, 1689, 1691, 1716, 1749 and 1806 are included under the topic Early McFox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McFox Spelling VariationsNames from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name McFox revealed many variations, including Fox, McFox, McShanaghy, McShinagh, McShinnock and others. Early Notables of the McFox familyNotable amongst the family name at this time was George Fox (1624-1691), an English Dissenter and a founder of the Religious Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers or Friends; Sir Stephen Fox (1627-1716)...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McFox Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the McFox familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the McFox family relocated to North American shores quite early: Edward Fox who settled in Virginia in 1649; Francis Fox settled in Virginia in 1639; George Fox settled in Virginia in 1635; John Fox also settled in Virginia in the same year.
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: Sionnach aboo
Motto Translation: The fox to victory
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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