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![Show Contents]() MacGorham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
Many variations of the name MacGorham have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Mac Gormain, derived from the word "gorm," which means "blue." Early Origins of the MacGorham familyThe surname MacGorham was first found in County Clare, where O'Gorman was chief of Tullichrin, a territory comprising parts of the baronies of Moyarta and Ibrackan. They claim descendancy through the O'Connor pedigree, specifically through Daire, a younger brother of Ros Failgeach. He was the second son of Mor, the King of Leinster and the 109th Monarch of Ireland. The family were the Chiefs of Ibrckan in County Claire. 1 The Mac (Mc) prefix is rarely found today due to the fact that in the early nineteenth century native Irish "were in complete subjection." 2 Early History of the MacGorham familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGorham research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early MacGorham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacGorham Spelling VariationsPronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname MacGorham are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Gorman, MacGorman, O'Gorman and others. Early Notables of the MacGorham familyMore information is included under the topic Early MacGorham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the MacGorham 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 MacGorham or a variant listed above: William Gorman who settled in New England in 1747; another William settled in Boston in 1804; Bernard, Edward, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Owen, Patrick, Samuel, Thomas and William Gorman, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1830 and 1865..
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Primi et ultimi in bello
Motto Translation: First and last in war.
- O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
- MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
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