| ![Show Contents]() Derrig History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original Gaelic form of the name Derrig is Ó Deirg, from the word "dearg," which means red. 1 Early Origins of the Derrig familyThe surname Derrig was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat in the baronies of Carra, Erris, and Tyrawley. They were descended from Fiachra, brother of Niall Mor, more commonly known as King Niall of the Nine Hostages, perhaps Ireland's greatest General/King. Early History of the Derrig familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Derrig research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1557, 1578, 1601, 1608 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Derrig History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Derrig Spelling VariationsWithin the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Derrig were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Derig, O'Derig, O'Derrig, Derrig, Derieg, Derick, Derrick, O'Derick, O'Derrick, O'Durrig, Durrig, Derigan, Derigen and many more. Early Notables of the Derrig familyNotable among the family name at this time was - Donogh Dáll Ó Derrig, aka Blind Donogh O'Derrick, Irish rapparee, executed December 1656
 Derrig migration to the United States | + |
The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Derrig family relocated to North American shores quite early:
Derrig Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Martin Derrig, aged 25, who arrived in America from County Mayo, Ireland, in 1892
- Thaddeus Derrig, aged 48, who arrived in America from Queenstown, in 1894
- James Derrig, aged 16, who arrived in America, in 1896
Derrig Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Edward Derrig, aged 23, who arrived in America from Claremonis, Ireland, in 1907
- Mary Derrig, aged 31, who arrived in America from Coolney, Sligo, Ireland, in 1907
- John Derrig, aged 26, who arrived in America from Coolney, Sligo, Ireland, in 1907
- Mary Derrig, aged 17, who arrived in America from Ballinrobe, Ireland, in 1908
- John Derrig, aged 21, who arrived in America from Tourmakeady, Ireland, in 1909
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Derrig migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Derrig Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Mr. Michael Derrig, aged 36 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Derrig (post 1700) | + |
- Kris Derrig (1954-1987), American luthier and musician
- Thomas Derrig (1897-1956), Irish Fianna Fáil politician, Minister for Education (1932-1939) and (1940-1948), Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in 1939, Minister for Lands (1939-1943) and (1951-1954)
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- 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)
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Derrig migration to the United States 
Derrig migration to Canada 
