| ![Show Contents]() Mehaffey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland The ancient Strathclyde Briton name Mehaffey is derived from the Gaelic personal name Debshithe, which means the black man of peace. Early Origins of the Mehaffey familyThe surname Mehaffey was first found in Wigtown (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, where they held a family seat from very early times. This distinguished Clan was originally known as the Clan MacKilhaffy and held a family seat at Craig Caffe in the parish of Inch. Early History of the Mehaffey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mehaffey research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1320 and 1540 are included under the topic Early Mehaffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mehaffey Spelling VariationsScribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Mehaffey has been spelled Mahaffy, Mehaffy, MacHaffie, Mahaffie, McHaffie, MacHaffy, McHaffy, MacGilhaffie, McGilhaffie, MacGilhaffy, McGilhaffy, MacKilhaffy, McKilhaffy, MacKilhaffie, McKilhaffie, MacIlhaffie, McIlhaffie, MacIlhaffy, McIlhaffy, MacCaffee, McCaffee, MacCaffie, McCaffie, McCaffy, MacCaffy, Milhaffie, Milhaffy, Mahalfie, Mahalfy and many more. Early Notables of the Mehaffey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Mehaffey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mehaffey RankingIn the United States, the name Mehaffey is the 15,741st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1  Migration of the Mehaffey family to Ireland
Some of the Mehaffey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Mehaffey migration to the United States | + |
The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them:
Mehaffey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Minnie Mehaffey, aged 24, who immigrated to America from Derry, in 1893
- Samuel Mehaffey, aged 16, who landed in America from Derry, in 1893
- Martin R. Mehaffey, aged 72, who landed in America, in 1896
- William G. Mehaffey, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Newry, in 1899
Mehaffey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Joseph Mehaffey, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Banbudge, Ireland, in 1907
- Elizabeth Mehaffey, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Newtonstewart, Ireland, in 1912
- Eduarda Mehaffey, aged 45, who landed in America, in 1914
- Charlie Mehaffey, aged 22, who settled in America, in 1921
- Herbert Mehaffey, aged 20, who settled in America, in 1924
| Contemporary Notables of the name Mehaffey (post 1700) | + |
- Major-General Joseph Cowles Mehaffey (1889-1963), American Major General in the United States Army, Governor of the Panama Canal (1944-1948) 2
- Blanche Mehaffey (1908-1968), American showgirl and film actress from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ziegfeld Follies dancer
- Lindsay Mehaffey, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1860 3
- The Rt Rev James Mehaffey (b. 1931), Irish prelate, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe (1980-2002)
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Mehaffey migration to the United States 
