Show ContentsCanniff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Canniff family

The surname Canniff was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they held a family seat as chiefs of their name. Irish history was greatly influenced by the Norman invasion of 1172, and thereafter, the surnames of Irish Gaelic clanns and septs and many of the Norman families became almost indistinguishable. This family name was found later in Leitrim.

Early History of the Canniff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Canniff research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Canniff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Canniff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Conniff, Cunniff, Cunniffe, Conniffe, Coniff, MacNiff, MacAdoo, McAdoo, MacCunniffe, MacCuniff, MacEndo, MacEndoo, McNiff, McIndoo, MacIndoo and many more.

Early Notables of the Canniff family

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


Canniff migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Canniff Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Canniff, who arrived in Alabama in 1855 1

Canniff migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Canniff Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Canniff U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 2
Canniff Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Abraham A Canniff, who landed in Canada in 1831

Canniff migration to Australia +

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

Canniff Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Canniff, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord Raglan" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Canniff (post 1700) +

  • William Canniff (1830-1910), Canadian surgeon, historian and advocate of Canadian nationalism, Toronto's first permanent Medical Officer of Health in 1883


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  3. South Australian Register Wednesday 25th October 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord Raglan 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/lordraglan1854.shtml


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