Cannell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Cannell family in North America:

Cannell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• John Cannell who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1652
• John Cannell, who settled in New England in 1652
• John Cannell, who arrived in America in 1652 3

Cannell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles Cannell, who arrived in New York State in 1823
• Henry Cannell, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1852
• P W Cannell, who arrived in Texas in 1867 3

Cannell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Robert Cannell, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 4
• Mr. Robert Cannell, English harness maker who was convicted in Colchester, Essex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
• Mr. William Cannell, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 15 years for assault, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 28th June 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6

Cannell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• R. Cannell, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Countess of Kintore" in 1873
• William Cannell, aged 36, a bricklayer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rooparell" in 1874
• Mary Ann Cannell, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rooparell" in 1874
• Alice Cannell, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rooparell" in 1874
• Philip Cannell, aged 8, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rooparell" in 1874
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Stephen Joseph Cannell (1941-2010), American Emmy Award winning television producer, writer and novelist; creator of The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish
• Skipwith Cannell (1887-1957), American poet associated with the Imagist group
• Kathleen Eaton "Kitty" Cannell (1891-1974), Paris-based American dance and fashion correspondent
• Dorothy Cannell (b. 1943), English-born, American mystery writer
• William J. B. Cannell, American Republican politician, Member of New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Lebanon; Elected 1938 7
• Paul Anthony Cannell (b. 1953), English former footballer
• Geoffrey Thornton Cannell (1942-2007), Manx sportscaster and politician, Member of the House of Keys
• Brenda Josephine Cannell (b. 1952), Manx politician, Member of the House of Keys for Douglas East