Show ContentsMcGready History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

McGready was first used as a surname by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The ancestors of the McGready family lived in Ayrshire.

Early Origins of the McGready family

The surname McGready was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McGready family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGready research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1720 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McGready History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGready Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. McGready has appeared MacCreadie, MacCredie, MacCready, MacReady, MacRedie and many more.

Early Notables of the McGready family

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

Ireland Migration of the McGready family to Ireland

Some of the McGready family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McGready migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name McGready:

McGready Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Neil Mc Gready, aged 26, who arrived in New York City in 1892 aboard the ship "Belgravia" from Glasgow, Scotland [1]
McGready Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John McGready, aged 25, originally from Ireland, Belfast, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Cedric" from Liverpool, England [1]
  • Bella McGready, aged 23, originally from Ferres, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Caronia" from Liverpool, England [1]
  • Betta McGready, aged 23, originally from Torsser, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England [1]
  • James McGready, aged 29, originally from Drumeen, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Cedric" from Liverpool, England [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name McGready (post 1700) +

  • James McGready (1758-1817), American Presbyterian minister and evangelist


The McGready 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: Semper paratus
Motto Translation: Always prepared.


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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