| ![Show Contents]() Hemfry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of HemfryWhat does the name Hemfry mean? The Irish name Hemfry was originally written in a Gaelic form as Ó hInneirghe, which is derived from an adjective meaning easily roused early. Early Origins of the Hemfry familyThe surname Hemfry 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 Hemfry familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hemfry 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 Hemfry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hemfry Spelling VariationsIrish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Hemfry dating from that time include O'Henry, Fitzhenry, MacHenry, MacEnery and many more. Early Notables of the Hemfry familyJames McHenry (1753-1816), American (Irish-born) patriot in the American Revolution; Secretary of War 1796-1800, and private secretary to George Washington. Another James McHenry (1785-1845) was a...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hemfry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hemfry familyA massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Hemfry or a variant listed above: 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.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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