Galvin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many destitute Irish families in the 18th and 19th centuries decided to leave their homeland, which had in many ways been scarred by English colonial rule. One of the most frequent destinations for these families was North America where it was possible for an Irish family to own their own parcel of land. Many of the early settlers did find land awaiting them in British North America, or even later in America, but for the majority of immigrants that arrived as a result of the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the ownership of land was often a long way off. These Irish people were initially put to work on such industrial projects as the building of bridges, canals, and railroads, or they worked at manufacturing positions within factories. Whenever they arrived, the Irish made enormous contributions to the infant nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the earliest immigrants to bearer the name of Galvin were found through extensive research of immigration and passenger lists:

Galvin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• David Galvin, who settled in Maryland in 1776

Galvin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Nicholas Galvin, aged 19, who landed in Massachusetts in 1812 4
• Peter Galvin, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1812 4
• J. Galvin, who settled in Baltimore Maryland in 1822
• Edward Galvin, who landed in New York in 1822 4
• Martin Galvin, who arrived in New York in 1839 4
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Galvin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Denis Galvin, aged 19, who arrived in Canada in 1823
• John Galvin, who settled in Quebec, Canada, in 1825
• James Galvin, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland
• John Galvin who landed in Canada in 1839
• Mr. Daniel Galvin, aged 21 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Emigrant" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in October 1847 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Galvin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John George Galvin, (b. 1772), aged 29, Irish Farmer who was convicted in Meath, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1832 6
• Mr. William Galvin, (b. 1779), aged 30, Irish labourer who was convicted in Wicklow, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Darby Galvin, (b. 1797), aged 25, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life for rioting, transported aboard the "Brampton" on 8th November 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
• James Galvin, a plasterer, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
• John Galvin, a weaver, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Galvin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Galvin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sandford" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th July 1856 9
• Mrs. Mary Galvin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sandford" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th July 1856 9
• Miss Hannah Galvin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sandford" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th July 1856 9
• Miss Mary Galvin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sandford" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th July 1856 9
• Mr. John Galvin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sandford" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th July 1856 9
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Paul Vincent Galvin (1895-1959), American businessman, founder of Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in 1928 which later became the telecommunications company Motorola
• William Francis Galvin (b. 1950), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives, 1975-90, Secretary of State of Massachusetts, 1995- 10
• John Rogers Galvin (1929-2015), American army general, 6th Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Member of the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century
• Christopher B. Galvin (b. 1950), American businessman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Motorola from 1997 to 2003
• James Galvin (b. 1951), American poet
• William Francis Galvin (b. 1950), American politician, 27th Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
• General (Ret.) John Rogers Galvin (b. 1929), American retired officer and former Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts
• Robert W. "Bob" Galvin (b. 1922), American retired Chairman and CEO of Motorola, son of Paul Galvin
• John Galvin (1907-1963), Irish Fianna Fáil politician
• Charles O 'Neill Galvin (b. 1919), American lawyer and educator
• ... (Another 37 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)