Callagher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The Irish name Callagher has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Callagher is Ó Gallchobhair, derived from the word "gallchobhar," which means "foreign help."

Early Origins of the Callagher family

The surname Callagher was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, but claim descent from a warrior named "Gallchobhar" and held lands in the baronies of Raphoe and Tir Hugh. They held a castle at Ballyshannon and at one time also held the castle of Lifford.

The Sept's chiefs were the traditional Marshals in the O'Donnells' military forces from the 14th to 16th centuries. The main branch of the family was based at Ballybeit and Ballynaglack.

Early History of the Callagher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Callagher research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1547, 1725 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Callagher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Callagher Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Callagher family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Gallagher, Gallacher, Gallaugher, Gallaughor, Gallager and many more.

Early Notables of the Callagher family

Notable among the family name at this time was Bishop Redmund O'Gallagher, The Diocese of Killala, who was imprisoned and banished from the diocese on fraudulent charges; Redmond O'Gallagher, who was appointed Bishop of Killala by Pope Paul III in 1545; and Art O'Gallagher, Papal...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Callagher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Callagher migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Callagher Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Maud Callagher, aged 30, a matron, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Lysander" 1
Ellen Callagher, aged 11, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Lysander" 1
Jane Callagher, aged 19, a teacher, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Lysander" 1
Maud Callagher, aged 30, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1851 1
Jane Callagher, aged 19, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1851 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Callagher (post 1700) +

Stanley Herbert Michael Callagher (1927-2011), New Zealand rowing coxswain who won a silver medal at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
John Callagher (1898-1980), Scottish professional footballer from Glasgow who played at centre half in the 1920s

Citations +

State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LYSANDER 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Lysander.htm