There are multitude of rich histories underlying the many Irish surnames in use today. The name MacGafery originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Gafraidh. Gafraidh or Gothraidh equates with the English personal name Godfrey. Variations that start with the prefix Mac or Mc mean son of Godfrey.
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Early Origins of the MacGafery family
The surname MacGafery was first found in County Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where they held a family seat at Ballymacaffrey near Five mile Town in Fermanagh near the Tyrone border. 1
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Early History of the MacGafery family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGafery research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1987 is included under the topic Early MacGafery History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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MacGafery Spelling Variations
Many different spelling variations of the surname MacGafery were found in the archives researched. These included Scribes and church officials generally spelled a name as it sounded; as a result, a person's name could be spelt innumerable ways in his lifetime. MacCaffery, MacCaffrey, MacCafferty, MacAffery, MacAffry, MacAfferty, MacGoffrey, MacGodfrey and many more.
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Early Notables of the MacGafery family
More information is included under the topic Early MacGafery Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the MacGafery family
The 19th century brought a massive reduction in Ireland's population. It seemed that during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the Irish people had two options: starve or immigrate. Those that chose the later frequently headed for the United States, hopeful for land, work, and equality. Those determined for free land joined the migration west; while others stayed behind to live in urban centers and often work in factories. Still others began a transitory life in work camps, building the bridges, canals, railways, and highways so critical to the rapidly development of the growing industrial nation. Early passenger and immigration lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name MacGafery: Biddy MacCafferty who settled in Newcastle in 1804; Arthur, Charles, Daniel, Edward, Henry, Hugh, James, John, Patrick, and Robert MacCafferty all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.
Ireland
