Dennehy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Early Origins of the Dennehy family

The surname Dennehy was first found in Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, and Kerry where they held a family seat. The first recorded instance of the name is of Donall O'Denaghie of Cloghlea, County Cork, a vestarius (keeper of the vestry) in 1585. According to Irish lore, bearers of this name were traditionally descended from Maoin, brother of Muircaertach Mor MacEarca, King of Ireland. Many Irish sept (clann) names were intermixed and family groupings became almost indistinguishable. Bearers of this name often changed Danagher to Dennehy, and Dennehy to Denny.

Early History of the Dennehy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dennehy research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1828, 1829, 1865 and 1907 are included under the topic Early Dennehy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dennehy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dennehy, Denehy, O'Dennehy, O'Denehy, Denesy and many more.

Early Notables of the Dennehy family

Major-General Sir Thomas Dennehy (1829-1907), born in Cork and educated in Paris, he became a distinguished administrator in India

Dennehy migration to the United States +

Dennehy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jerry Dennehy, age 16, who was a bonded passenger, arriving in Boston in 1850

Dennehy migration to Canada +

Dennehy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mrs. Eliza Dennehy, aged 33 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 1
Mr. Francis Dennehy, aged 12 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 1
Mr. Michael Dennehy, aged 4 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 1

Dennehy migration to Australia +

Dennehy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Dennehy, (Denayh), (b. 1818), aged 19, Irish maid who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

Dennehy migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dennehy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Ellen Dennehy, (b. 1838), aged 40, Irish cook from Cork departing on 10th August 1878 aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 9th November 1878
Miss Margaret Dennehy, (b. 1859), aged 19, Irish general servant from Cork departing on 10th August 1878 aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 9th November 1878
Miss Edmont Dennehy, (b. 1860), aged 18, Irish farm labourer from Cork departing on 10th August 1878 aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 9th November 1878

Contemporary Notables of the name Dennehy (post 1700) +

Brian Dennehy (1938-2020), American five-time Primetime Emmy nominated, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild winning film, television and stage actor, inductee into the American Theater Hall of Fame
Jeremiah Dennehy (1950-2023), commonly referred to as Miah Dennehy, an Irish footballer
John Dennehy (1940-1983), former Irish Fianna Fáil politician, Lord Mayor of Cork (1983–1984)
Donnacha Dennehy (b. 1970), Irish composer from Dublin
Darren Dennehy (b. 1988), Irish footballer
Billy Michael Dennehy (b. 1987), Irish footballer
Mick Dennehy (b. 1950), American head football coach at the University of Montana Western (1988-1990), the University of Montana (1996-1999), and Utah State University (2000-2004),
Major-General Sir Thomas Dennehy CIE (1829-1915), Irish soldier and administrator in British India

Historic Events for the Dennehy family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Edward Dennehy, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 3
Mr. John Dennehy, British Leading Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 4
Mr. Thomas Dennehy, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 5

Sources +

Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 24)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Diamond
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html