Delahunty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
In its ancient Gaelic form, the Irish name Delahunty was written Ó Dulchaointigh, which comes from the word dulchaointeach, which refers to a satirist. 1 The ancestor of this Irish family is said to have been Muintir Cormac or Muintir Dulchonta, which was gradually anglicized over the years, until it was rendered as Delahunt or Delahunty.
Although the name appears quite French, it seems highly unlikely that there are any French origins to the name, other than the Norman influence of the clerks, who began processing Irish names, as early as the 12th century.
Early Origins of the Delahunty family
The surname Delahunty was first found in Ormond, where records of the name can be found in deeds from around 1441 on. Petty's "census" of 1659 showed bearers of Delahunty in counties Offaly (King's county) and Kilkenny. The ancient and important Delahunty sept sometimes claims descent from the O'Hara Buidhe, Chiefs of Leyney in County Sligo, through Lughaidh.
Early History of the Delahunty family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Delahunty research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1670 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Delahunty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Delahunty Spelling Variations
One explanation for the many variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname Delahunty were found in the many archives researched. These included Delahunt, Delahunty, DeLahunte, DeLaHunty, De-la-Hunt, Delahunt and many more.
Early Notables of the Delahunty family
More information is included under the topic Early Delahunty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Delahunty migration to the United States +
Irish immigrants began to leave the English-controlled Ireland in sizable numbers during the late 18th century. Many of these Irish immigrated to British North America or the United States in the hopes of gaining their own tract of farmland. This pattern of migration grew steadily until the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine caused a great exodus of immigrants to North America. These immigrants differed from their predecessors in that they were desperately fleeing the disease and starvation that plagued their homeland, and many were entirely destitute when they arrived in North America. Although these penniless immigrants were not warmly welcomed when they arrived, they were critical to the rapid development of the United States and what would become known as Canada. Many went to populate the western frontiers and others provided the cheap labor the new manufacturing sector and the building of bridges, roads, railways, and canals required. A thorough examination of immigration and passenger lists has revealed some of the earliest people to arrive in North America with name Delahunty or one of its variants:
Delahunty Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Daniel Delahunty, who settled in Maryland in 1749
Delahunty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Thomas Delahunty, who settled in Philadelphia in 1856
- John Delahunty, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868
Delahunty migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Delahunty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Mr. Thomas Delahunty, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canton" on 20th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
- Margaret Delahunty, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Violet"
- James Delahunty, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nabob"
- Bridget Delahunty, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nabob"
- Patrick Delahunty, aged 37, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Nugget" 3
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Delahunty migration to New Zealand +
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:
Delahunty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- William Delahunty, aged 20, a shoemaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- Ann Delahunty, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- Mary Delahunty, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
Contemporary Notables of the name Delahunty (post 1700) +
- Robert J. Delahunty, American law professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Kieran Delahunty, Irish hurler
- Mary Delahunty (b. 1951), Australian politician, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Northcote (1998-2006)
- Catherine Delahunty (b. 1953), New Zealand politician, 4th Female co-convenor of the Green Party List (2008)
- Hugh Francis Delahunty (b. 1949), Australian politician, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Wimmera (1999-2002)
Historic Events for the Delahunty family +
- Mr. John Delahunty, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 4
The Delahunty 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: In fide et in bello fortes
Motto Translation: Firm in faith and war.
Citations +