Conaty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The original Gaelic form of the name Conaty is Óconnachtaigh. This name can be considered a place name as it indicates that its original bearer inhabited Connaught. The prefix O, meaning '"grandson of" indicates descent from the original bearer.
Early Origins of the Conaty family
The surname Conaty was first found in County Donegal with the MacSweenys. That name is derived from Suibhne O'Neill, who was a chieftain in Argyll, Scotland. His descendants migrated to Ireland as gallowglasses (mercenaries) prior to 1267. The three great septs of this name finally established themselves in Tirconnell in 14th century; they were known as MacSweeney Fanad, MacSweeney Banagh, and MacSweeney na dTuath, who were commonly referred to as 'MacSweeney of the Battleaxes.'
Early History of the Conaty family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conaty research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the year 1893 is included under the topic Early Conaty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Conaty Spelling Variations
The search for the origins of the name Conaty family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include Conaty, O'Conaty, Connaghty, Connoty, MacConaghy, MacConkey and many more.
Early Notables of the Conaty family
More information is included under the topic Early Conaty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Conaty migration to Canada +
A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name Conaty:
Conaty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- Ms. Judith Conaty, aged 24 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Bee" departing 17th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but she died on board 1
- Miss. Mary Conaty, aged 10 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Bee" departing 17th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but she died on board 1
Contemporary Notables of the name Conaty (post 1700) +
- Richard B. "Rich" Conaty (b. 1954), American New York City disc jockey
- Thomas James Conaty (1847-1915), American clergyman, Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles from 1903–1915
- Jack Conaty (b. 1946), American chief political correspondent for WFLD-TV in Chicago
- Bill Conaty (b. 1973), former professional NFL American football player
- Robert C. Conaty, American Republican politician, Candidate for judge of West Virginia supreme court of appeals, 1972 2
- James P. Conaty, American politician, First Selectman of Derby, Connecticut, 1897-98 2
- Dr. Nicholas Conaty (1820-1886), Irish Roman Catholic bishop for the Diocese of Kilmore
- Roisin Conaty (b. 1979), British comedian, recipient of the Best Newcomer Award (2010)
Citations +
- Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 69)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html