Gaffny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Gaffny

The Irish name Gaffny has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Gaffny is "Ó Gamhna." However, the name was also used as an Anglicized form by the septs of Ó Caibheanaigh, Mac Conghamhna, and Mac Carrghamhna.1

Early Origins of the Gaffny family

Early History of the Gaffny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaffny research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1270 are included under the topic Early Gaffny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaffny Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Gaffny family name. Variations found include Gaffney, Gafney, Gaffeney, Gaffeny, Gafferny, Gaffin, Gaffnay, Gaffny, Caulfields, Keveneys and many more.

Early Notables of the Gaffny family

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

Migration of the Gaffny 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 Gaffny family in North America: Patrick Gaffanay who arrived in Philadelphia in 1860; Bernard, Christopher, James, Michael, Patrick, Thomas, and William Gaffney, arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.