Curragh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Curragh

What does the name Curragh mean?

The origin of the name Curragh is uncertain. It may be a toponymic name derived from one of the places in Ireland called Curragh, the most famous of which is the Curragh of Kildare. The Gaelic word "curach" meaning "champion" or "hero" could also have been the origin of the name. Finally, in some cases, the name is of Scottish origin and is the Irish form of MacCurrach, a sept of the MacPherson clan.

Early Origins of the Curragh family

The surname Curragh was first found in the southern part of County Down, and the northern part of Louth, where Thomas Curragh, a farmer of Kilpatrick, was recorded in 1428 in a case in Archbishop Swayne's register. In the following century the name was found in and near Dublin. Richard Curragh was a farmer of Raheny in 1561, and another Richard Curragh was a member of the Merchant Tailor's Guild, and was made a freeman of Dublin city in 1589. The Curragh of Kildare is an expanse of plains land, famed for horse riding and races, that has been used for military purposes since antiquity.

Early History of the Curragh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curragh research. More information is included under the topic Early Curragh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curragh Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Curragh, Curra, Currah and others.

Early Notables of the Curragh family

the Curragh family of Dublin

Curragh migration to the United States +

Curragh Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Curragh, who was naturalized in Ohio in 1855
Fanny Curragh, who landed in New York in 1882

The Curragh Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Touch not the cat, but a glove