Show ContentsMcGrorey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. McGrorey originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Ruaidhri, which means son of Rory. 1

Early Origins of the McGrorey family

The surname McGrorey was first found in County Tyrone (Irish:Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the McGrorey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGrorey research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1298 and 1800 are included under the topic Early McGrorey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGrorey Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name McGrorey include MacCreary, MacCreery, MacCrary, MacCrory and others.

Early Notables of the McGrorey family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGrorey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McGrorey 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 McGrorey to North America:

McGrorey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Sarah McGrorey, aged 18, who arrived in America, in 1893
  • Patrick McGrorey, aged 21, who arrived in America from Donegal, in 1899
McGrorey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Rose McGrorey, aged 21, who arrived in America from Ireland, in 1904
  • Lizzie McGrorey, aged 29, who arrived in America from Bettenbet, Co. Cavan, in 1905
  • William McGrorey, aged 22, who arrived in America from Donegal, Ireland, in 1906
  • Catherine McGrorey, aged 30, who arrived in America from Donegal, Ireland, in 1907
  • Patrick McGrorey, aged 19, who arrived in America from Ballintra, Ireland, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.


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