Show ContentsMcGiliecuddy 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 McGiliecuddy is Mac Giolla Chuda, which perhaps denotes a devotee of St. Mochuda.

Early Origins of the McGiliecuddy family

The surname McGiliecuddy 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 McGiliecuddy family

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

McGiliecuddy 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 McGiliecuddy 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 McGiliecuddy family

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

Migration of the McGiliecuddy family

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish migrating out of their homeland in a great measure due to the oppressive imperial policies of the English government and landowners. Many of these Irish families sailed to North America aboard overcrowded passenger ships. By far, the largest influx of Irish immigrants to North America occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These particular immigrants were instrumental in creation of the United States and Canada as major industrial nations because the many essential elements such as the roadways, canals, bridges, and railways required an enormous quantity of cheap labor, which these poor immigrants provided. Later generations of Irish in these countries also went on to make valuable contributions in such fields as the arts, commerce, politics, and education. Extensive research into immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name McGiliecuddy: 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 McGiliecuddy 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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