Trahey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Ireland already had an established system of hereditary surnames when the Strongbownians arrived. Often the two traditions blended together quite well due to some of their basic similarities, but the incoming Anglo-Norman system brought in some forms that were uncommon amongst the Irish. One of these Anglo-Norman anomalies was the prevalence of local surnames, such as Trahey. Local names were taken from the names of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. Originally, the place names were prefixed by de, which means from in French. This type of prefix was eventually either made a part of the surname if the place name began with a vowel or was eliminated entirely. The local surnames of these Strongbownian invaders referred to places in Normandy, or more typically England, but eventually for those Anglo-Normans that remained in Ireland, the nicknames referred to places or geographical features of the island: they became true local names. The Trahey family appears to have originally lived in the town of Troyes in France; the original form of the surname Trahey was de Troyes. The surname Trahey belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
Early Origins of the Trahey family
The surname Trahey was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they were granted lands by Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, after his conquest of Ireland in 1172. They were recruited from the family of Try in Gloucester where they were Lords of the manor of Alkington. The family is said to be amongst the highest orders of French nobility.
Early History of the Trahey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trahey research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1690, 1698, 1702, 1705, 1717, 1739 and 1823 are included under the topic Early Trahey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Trahey Spelling Variations
It was found during an investigation of the origins of the name Trahey that church officials and medieval scribes often spelled the name as it sounded. This practice lead to a single person's being documented under many spelling variations. The name Trahey has existed in the various shapes: Troye, Troy, Try, Trye, Trohy, Trohey, Troys, Troyes, O'Trahy, O'Trahey, O'Trehy, O'Trehey and many more.
Early Notables of the Trahey family
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trahey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Trahey migration to the United States +
Irish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Trahey:
Trahey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Patrick Trahey, aged 37, originally from Conception Bay, Newfoundland, who arrived in New York City in 1903 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John 1
- Bertha Trahey, aged 21, originally from Conception Bay, Newfoundland, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland 1
- Timothy Trahey, aged 23, who arrived in New York, N.Y. in 1920 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland 1
- John Trahey, aged 26, originally from Conception Bay, Newfoundland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland 1
- Mary Trahey, aged 23, originally from St. Johns, Newfoundland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland 1
Contemporary Notables of the name Trahey (post 1700) +
- Jane Trahey (1923-2000), American businesswoman and writer, recipient of the Advertising Woman of the Year award in 1969; she received more than 200 awards over the course of her career
- James Trahey, Canadian pioneer shipbuilder from Victoria, British Columbia, known for the Victoria, a passenger and freight sternwheeler built in 1869
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