Show ContentsMcGilicuddy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gaelic is at the heart of all the Irish surnames that can be found throughout the world today. The original Gaelic form of the name McGilicuddy is Mac Giolla Chuda, which perhaps denotes a devotee of St. Mochuda.

Early Origins of the McGilicuddy family

The surname McGilicuddy was first found in County Kerry (Irish:Ciarraí) part of the former County Desmond (14th-17th centuries), located in Southwestern Ireland, in Munster province, where The McGillycuddy of the Reeks (Irish: Mac Giolla Mochuda) was one of the hereditary chiefs of the name of Ireland.

Early History of the McGilicuddy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGilicuddy research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGilicuddy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGilicuddy Spelling Variations

Names written in official documents were generally spelt as they sounded, leading to the problem of one name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion in records of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname McGilicuddy that are preserved in documents of the family history are Gillycuddy, McGillycuddy, Gillecuddy, Gillacuddy, Gillicuddy, McGillicuddy, McGillecuddy, McGillacuddy, McGullucuddy, MacGillicudy, McGillicudy and many more.

Early Notables of the McGilicuddy family

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

Migration of the McGilicuddy family

Irish families began to immigrate to British North America and the United States in the 18th century, but the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. The earlier settlers came to North America after a great deal of consideration and by paying relatively high fees for their passage. These settlers were primarily drawn by the promise of land. Those later settlers that came during the 1840's were trying to escape the conditions of poverty, starvation, disease, and death that had stricken Ireland. Due to the enormity of their numbers and the late date of their arrival, these immigrants primarily became hired laborers instead of homesteading settlers like their predecessors. An exhaustive search of immigration and passenger lists has revealed many Irish immigrants North America bearing the name McGilicuddy: Catherine McGillycuddy who settled in Boston in 1749; Phillip McGillicuddy arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1845; and Timothy Magillacuddy settled in New York State in 1849..



The McGilicuddy 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: Sursum Corda
Motto Translation: Hearts upwards.


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