Ghys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Ghys

The surname is one of the native Irish surnames that come from the Irish Gaelic language. The original Gaelic form of the name Ghys is "Mac Eachaidh," from the personal name Eachaidh, which is Anglicized as Aghy. It is cognate with Eochaigh, which is Anglicized as the once-common Christian name Oghy.

Early Origins of the Ghys family

Early History of the Ghys family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ghys research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ghys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ghys 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 Ghys family name. Variations found include Caughey, McCaughey, McGaughey, Coffee, Coffey, Coffy, O'Coffey, O'Coffy, Mulcahy, McGahey and many more.

Early Notables of the Ghys family

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

Ghys Ranking

In France, the name Ghys is the 5,984^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Ghys 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 Ghys family in North America: John Caughey who settled in New York in 1845; James Coffe who settled in Boston in 1754; Bridget Coffee settled in Boston in 1849; John Coffee settled in Virginia in 1637.