Magginass History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Magginass

While many of Irish names are quite familiar to most, their original Gaelic forms are often forgotten and mysterious. The original Gaelic form of the name Magginass is Mag Aonghusa or Mag Aonghuis, which mean "son of Angus." 1

Early Origins of the Magginass family

Early History of the Magginass family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Magginass research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1539, 1543, 1584, 1640, 1703, 1759, 1797, 1798 and 1868 are included under the topic Early Magginass History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Magginass Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, was what guided scribes and church officials in recording names, a practice that often led to the misleading result of one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Magginass are preserved in documents that were examined for evidence of the family's history. The various spellings of Magginass included Genis, Guinness, Magennis, Guinnessy, McGuinness and many more.

Early Notables of the Magginass family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was Hugo Magennis (d. 1640) who was the Franciscan Bishop of Down and Connor; the second Viscount Iveagh, Brian Magennis who was killed in action in 1703; Richard and Richard the...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Magginass Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Magginass 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 Magginass: John Guinnessy, who settled in New York in 1849; William Guinnes who settled in Barbados in 1663; Pat and Mary Guinnessy who settled in Quebec with their ten children in 1849..