Show ContentsBolgor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bolgor

What does the name Bolgor mean?

The name Bolgor has changed considerably in the time that has passed since its genesis. It originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Bolguidir, which likely meant yellow belly (from bolg odhar). 1

Early Origins of the Bolgor family

The surname Bolgor was first found in Wexford (Irish: Loch Garman), founded by Vikings as Waesfjord, and located in Southeastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and, even today, the name is only very rarely found outside the province of Leinster in Ireland. 2

Early History of the Bolgor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bolgor research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1570, 1608, 1672 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Bolgor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bolgor Spelling Variations

Because early scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded, a person could have many various spellings of his name.Many different spelling variations of the surname Bolgor were found in the archives researched. These included Bollger, Bulger, Boulger, O'Bolger, O'Bulger, Bolger, Bolgire, Bulgire, O'Bulgire, O'Bolgire and many more.

Early Notables of the Bolgor family

More information is included under the topic Early Bolgor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bolgor family

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 Bolgor: John Bolger who settled in Boston Massachusetts with his wife Cathy in 1804; typical of the five families who left Ireland during the Potato Famine between 1846/1854 was Thomas Bolger, his wife and five children who sailed on the ".



The Bolgor 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: Deus nobis Haec Otio Fecit
Motto Translation: God made ??us this leisure


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)


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