Show ContentsConaghent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Conaghent surname comes from a proud and ancient past. The name Conaghent appeared originally in Gaelic as Ó Connachtain. 1

Early Origins of the Conaghent family

The surname Conaghent was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Conaghent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conaghent research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Conaghent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conaghent 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 because the general population had to rely on local official's understanding of how their name should be spelt, hence spellings in records often changed through a person's lifetime. The following variations for the name Conaghent were encountered in the archives: Cunigan, Conigan, Cunnigan, Conaghan, Conaughan, O'Cunigan, O'Conaghan, Connaghan, Connaughan, Kinneghan, Kinnegan and many more.

Early Notables of the Conaghent family

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

Migration of the Conaghent family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Conaghent to North America: Bernard, Hugh, James, and Michael Conaghan, Cornelius, Edward, Hugh, and William Conahan, Cormack and John Connaghan, Patrick Connahan, and Henry Coninghan, arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1865.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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