Tooley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Tooley or a variant listed above:

Tooley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• George Tooley, who settled in New York in 1830
• Bridget Tooley, aged 6, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2

Tooley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Tooley, (b. 1797), aged 18, English baker who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1837 3
• Mr. Joseph Tooley, English convict who was convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
• Mr. John Tooley, English convict who was convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 4th October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Tooley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Miss Theresa Tooley, (b. 1849), aged 18, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" sailing to Auckland and Lyttelton, New Zealand on 29th July 1867 6
• Benjamin Tooley, aged 39, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
• Catherine Tooley, aged 42, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
• William B. Tooley, aged 15, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
• Selina Tooley, aged 14, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888

• Sandra "S.D." Tooley, American mystery and urban fantasy novelist who write under her name and the pseudonym of Lee Driver
• Mark Tooley (b. 1965), American President of the Washington-D.C. based Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) in 2009
• Albert R. "Bert" Tooley (1886-1976), former American professional baseball player who played shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1911-1912)
• Orley Nobel Tooley (1904-1991), American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Jefferson County, 1932, 1934, 1937; Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 32nd District, 1936, 1938 7
• L. H. Tooley, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Montana, 1932 7
• James Tooley, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Jefferson County 2nd District, 1909; Candidate for New York State Senate 37th District, 1926 7
• Howard J. Tooley, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Columbus, Indiana, 1923-27 7
• Dennis Tooley (b. 1945), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oregon, 2004, 2008 7
• Dale Tooley, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Colorado, 1980 7
• Chuck F. Tooley, American politician, Mayor of Billings, Montana, 1996-2005 7
• ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)