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![Show Contents]() O'Cassidy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Cassidy is Ó Casaide. 1 Early Origins of the O'Cassidy familyThe surname O'Cassidy was first found in Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where the Irish sept claims direct descent from the Irish King Colla da Crioch who was banished from Ireland in 327. 2 Early History of the O'Cassidy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Cassidy research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1143 and 1740 are included under the topic Early O'Cassidy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Cassidy Spelling VariationsMany spelling variations of the surname O'Cassidy can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Cassidy, Cassady, Cassiday, Cassedy, Cassedey and others. Early Notables of the O'Cassidy familyNotable amongst the family name at this time was - Giolla Moduda O'Cassidy (d. 1143), Gaelic poet
Migration of the O'Cassidy 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 O'Cassidy name: Patrick Cassidy who settled in Rhode Island, and later moved to Norwich in Connecticut, where he became one of America's first surgeons. Edward, Hugh, James, John, Patrick, Thomas and William Cassady who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1865.
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: Frangas non flectes
Motto Translation: Thou may'st break, but shalt not bend me.
- MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
- O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
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