Show ContentsShenaghy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Shenaghy originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Sionnaigh, derived from the word "sionnach," which means "fox." 1

Early Origins of the Shenaghy family

The surname Shenaghy was first found in County Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Shenaghy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shenaghy research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1624, 1627, 1661, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1685, 1689, 1691, 1716, 1749 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Shenaghy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shenaghy Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Shenaghy that are preserved in archival documents are Fox, McFox, McShanaghy, McShinagh, McShinnock and others.

Early Notables of the Shenaghy family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was George Fox (1624-1691), an English Dissenter and a founder of the Religious Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers or Friends; Sir Stephen Fox (1627-1716)...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shenaghy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shenaghy family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Shenaghy name: Edward Fox who settled in Virginia in 1649; Francis Fox settled in Virginia in 1639; George Fox settled in Virginia in 1635; John Fox also settled in Virginia in the same year.



The Shenaghy Motto +

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: Sionnach aboo
Motto Translation: The fox to victory


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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