Rafferty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish migrating out of their homeland in a great measure due to the oppressive imperial policies of the English government and landowners. Many of these Irish families sailed to North America aboard overcrowded passenger ships. By far, the largest influx of Irish immigrants to North America occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These particular immigrants were instrumental in creation of the United States and Canada as major industrial nations because the many essential elements such as the roadways, canals, bridges, and railways required an enormous quantity of cheap labor, which these poor immigrants provided. Later generations of Irish in these countries also went on to make valuable contributions in such fields as the arts, commerce, politics, and education. Extensive research into immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Rafferty:

Rafferty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Rafferty, who landed in Connecticut in 1811 2
• William Rafferty, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 2
• Patrick Rafferty, aged 21, who landed in New York in 1812 2
• James Rafferty, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812 2
• Simeon Rafferty, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 2
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rafferty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Patrick Rafferty, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
• Biddy Rafferty, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
• John Rafferty, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
• Ms. Mary Rafferty, aged 26 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfville" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 3
• Miss. Mary Rafferty, aged 19 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sarah" departing 29th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 19th July 1847 but she died on board 4
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Rafferty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Mary Rafferty, (b. 1792), aged 26, Irish servant who was convicted in Westmeath, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
• Edward Rafferty, a shoemaker, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
• Miss Sarah Rafferty, (Conry), Scottish Convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mr. Edward Rafferty, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 24th March 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Thomas Rafferty, (b. 1822), aged 22, Irish soldier who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for life for assault, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 9th April 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Rafferty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Michael Rafferty, British settler arriving as the 1st detachment of Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps travelling from Tilbury, Essex aboard the ship "Ramillies" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th August 1847 9
• Mrs. Mary Rafferty née Broomwell, British settler travelling from Tilbury, Essex aboard the ship "Ramillies" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th August 1847 9
• James Rafferty, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865

• Gerald "Gerry" Rafferty (1947-2011), Scottish singer and songwriter, best known for his hits "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", "Days Gone Down", "Night Owl", "Get It Right Next Time"
• John K. "Jack" Rafferty (1938-2021), American politician, Mayor of Hamilton Township, New Jersey from 1976 to 1999
• John Rafferty Jr. (b. 1953), Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
• Thomas Michael Rafferty (b. 1954), retired American NFL football offensive lineman
• William "Bill" Rafferty (b. 1944), American comedian
• Frances Rafferty (1922-2004), American actress
• Max Rafferty, American Dean of Troy State University in Alabama
• John C. Rafferty Jr., American Republican politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 44th District, 2003-04 10
• John C. Rafferty, American Democratic Party politician, Member of New Jersey State Senate from Hunterdon County, 1856-58; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1860 10
• James J. Rafferty, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Philippine Islands, 1920, 1928, 1932, 1940 10
• ... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Raffety's (Rafferty's) in America by Charles E. Rafferty.