Cogley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families began to immigrate to British North America and the United States in the 18th century, but the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. The earlier settlers came to North America after a great deal of consideration and by paying relatively high fees for their passage. These settlers were primarily drawn by the promise of land. Those later settlers that came during the 1840's were trying to escape the conditions of poverty, starvation, disease, and death that had stricken Ireland. Due to the enormity of their numbers and the late date of their arrival, these immigrants primarily became hired laborers instead of homesteading settlers like their predecessors. An exhaustive search of immigration and passenger lists has revealed many Irish immigrants North America bearing the name Cogley:

Cogley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Daniell Cogley, who landed in Virginia in 1623 1

Cogley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• David Cogley, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1812 1
• Daniel Cogley, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 1
• Patrick Cogley, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1853 1

• Nick Cogley (1869-1936), American silent film actor, director and writer who appeared in over 170 films between 1909 and 1934
• John Cogley, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 3rd District, 1954 2
• Donald Cogley Bruce (1921-1969), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Indiana 11th District, 1961-65; Candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Indiana, 1964 3