Show ContentsFitzhenwray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name Fitzhenwray was originally written in a Gaelic form as Ó hInneirghe, which is derived from an adjective meaning easily roused early.

Early Origins of the Fitzhenwray family

The surname Fitzhenwray was first found in County Tyrone (Irish:Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they held a family seat at Cullentra. From here, the head of this Irish sept extended his territories into the valley of Glenconkeiny in County Londonderry.

Meilor Fitzhenry (d. 1220), was "Justiciar of Ireland, was the son of Henry, the bastard son of King Henry I, by Nesta, the wife of Gerald of Windsor, and the daughter of Rhys ab Tewdwr, king of South Wales. He was thus the first cousin of Henry II, and related to the noblest Norman and native families of South Wales. " 1

Early History of the Fitzhenwray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fitzhenwray research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1753, 1785, 1796, 1800, 1816 and 1845 are included under the topic Early Fitzhenwray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fitzhenwray Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Fitzhenwray 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. O'Henry, Fitzhenry, MacHenry, MacEnery, MacEniry and others.

Early Notables of the Fitzhenwray family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was James McHenry (1753-1816), American (Irish-born) patriot in the American Revolution; Secretary of War 1796-1800, and private secretary to...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fitzhenwray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fitzhenwray family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Fitzhenwray family in North America: Francis McHenry, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1738; James McHenry, who settled in Savannah, Georgia in 1820; Thomas FitzHenry, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1773.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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