Maginnes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ireland, as an English-controlled colony in the 19th century, suffered the loss of hundreds of thousands of its native people. The system of land ownership often did not sufficiently provide for the tenants who farmed the land. This was most clearly evidenced in the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Previous years of great demand for grain products and livestock had run the land down. Many landowners foreseeing an upcoming crisis often removed families from the land or forced them to rely on pitifully small plots where only a subsistence living could be made. When the famines of 1845, 46, and 48 hit, many had nothing. Disease and starvation became widespread and families boarded ships for elsewhere any way they could. Those who went to America were instrumental in developing the industrial power known today: many Irish were employed in hard labor positions in factories and in building the bridges, canals, roads, and railways necessary for a strong industrial nation. Research of early immigration and passenger lists has shown that many bearers of the name Maginnes:

Maginnes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Patrick Maginnes, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 2

Maginnes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Samuel Maginnes, who arrived in New York in 1814 2
• James Maginnes, who landed in New York in 1814 2

Maginnes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mary Maginnes, aged 21, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" 3
• John Maginnes, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"