McGonigal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the McGonigal family came to North America quite early:

McGonigal Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Isabella McGonigal, who arrived in New York in 1835 2
• John McGonigal, aged 39, who landed in Alabama in 1858 2
• Patrick McGonigal, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1874 2

McGonigal Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Daniel McGonigal, aged 21, who landed in America from Donegal, Ireland, in 1907
• Fanny McGonigal, aged 22, who landed in America from Donegal, in 1907
• Patrick McGonigal, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Donegal, Ireland, in 1907
• Jerry McGonigal, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Donegal, Ireland, in 1909
• Madge McGonigal, aged 36, who settled in America from Dungloe, Ireland, in 1911
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• Jane McGonigal Ph.D. (b. 1977), American computer game designer, games researcher, and author
• William C. McGonigal, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Auburn, Indiana, 1858-59 3
• R. J. McGonigal, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1908 3
• Donal F. McGonigal, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Beirut, 1929-30; Salonika, 1932; Amsterdam, 1938; Glasgow, 1941-43 3
• Sir Ambrose Joseph McGonigal MC, QC (1917-1979), Northern Irish author, Lord Justice of Appeal (1975)
• David McGonigal (b. 1950), Australian travel writer, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
• Allan McGonigal (b. 1964), Scottish footballer
• Pearl Kathryne McGonigal CM, OM (b. 1929), Canadian politician, 19th Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba 1981 to 1986