Show ContentsCawlaher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Early Origins of the Cawlaher family

The surname Cawlaher 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 Cawlaher family

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

Cawlaher Spelling Variations

The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name Cawlaher were encountered in the archives: Gallagher, Gallacher, Gallaugher, Gallaughor, Gallager and many more.

Early Notables of the Cawlaher 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 Cawlaher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cawlaher family

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Cawlaher name: Charles, David, Francis, James, John, Michael, and Thomas Galagher who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1865.



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