| ![Show Contents]() McSharry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland The original Gaelic form of McSharry was Ó Foghladha, derived from the word "foghladha," which means "plunderer." 1 Early Origins of the McSharry familyThe surname McSharry was first found in Waterford (Irish: Port Láirge), anciently the Deise region, on the South coast of Ireland in the Province of Munster, in southern Ireland where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early History of the McSharry familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McSharry research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1131, 1580, 1617, 1624, 1644, 1651, 1655, 1657, 1659, 1673, 1676, 1677, 1694, 1695, 1699, 1702, 1712 and 1733 are included under the topic Early McSharry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McSharry Spelling VariationsThe recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name McSharry revealed spelling variations, including Foley, MacSharry, Foaley, Foli, Fooley, Sharry, Sharrie, McSharry, MacSharey, McSharey, Foalie, Foolie, Fowlie and many more. Early Notables of the McSharry familyNotable among the family name at this time was Richard Foley (1580-1657), English ironmaster, best known from the folktale of "Fiddler Foley"; Thomas Foley (1617-1677), an English ironmaster and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1659 and 1677; Robert Foley (1624-1676), of Stourbridge, regarded as the most important ironmaster of his time in the west Midlands; and his son...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McSharry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the McSharry familyA great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the McSharry name: Bryan Foley who purchased land in Virginia in 1714; followed by James Foley in 1770; the Foleys also settled in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
| Contemporary Notables of the name McSharry (post 1700) | + |
- Andy "the Bull" McSharry, Irish sheep farmer from County Sligo who mounted a seventeen-year campaign to protect his land from casual walkers trespassing
- Carmel McSharry (b. 1925), Irish character actress, best known for her roles as Beryl Humphries in Beryl's Lot (1973–1977)
- Dave McSharry (b. 1990), Irish rugby union player
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: Ut prosim
Motto Translation: That I may be of use.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
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