McGuigan 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 McGuigan family came to North America quite early:

McGuigan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Felix McGuigan, who landed in America in 1807 [2]
• Cath. McGuigan, aged 21, who immigrated to America from Tyrone, in 1893
• Berd. McGuigan, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896

McGuigan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Charles McGuigan, aged 21, who landed in America from Cavan, Ireland, in 1907
• Cassie McGuigan, aged 24, who landed in America from Draperstown, Ireland, in 1912
• Agnes McGuigan, aged 18, who settled in America from Allistragh, Ireland, in 1913
• Alice McGuigan, aged 17, who landed in America from Armagh, Ireland, in 1920
• Annie McGuigan, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Draperstown, Ireland, in 1923
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGuigan Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. Simon Mcguigan, (b. 1765), aged 33, Irish sawyer who was convicted in County Tyrone, Ireland for 7 years for being an Irish rebel, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1820 when he fell from his horse [3]

McGuigan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Mcguigan, (b. 1809), aged 19, Irish weaver who was convicted in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fergusson" on 16th November 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [4]
• Mr. Patrick Mcguigan, (b. 1812), aged 16, Irish rope maker who was convicted in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland for 7 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the "Fergusson" on 16th November 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1863 [4]

• Patrick "Paddy" Daniel McGuigan (1868-1938), American boxer, promoter and entertainer
• Samuel McGuigan, American politician, Supervisor of Benton Township, Michigan, 1863-64 [5]
• Joseph J. McGuigan, American politician, U.S. Attorney for Canal Zone, 1935-40 [5]
• James McGuigan, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin, 1996 [5]
• J. Carl McGuigan, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Delaware at-large, 1948 [5]
• Howard McGuigan, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1964 [5]
• Donald G. McGuigan, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 10th District, 1961 [5]
• Colleen McGuigan, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin, 2000 [5]
• Charles P. McGuigan, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Red Lion, Pennsylvania, 1953-61 [5]
• Danika 'Nika' McGuigan (1986-2019), Irish actress, best known for her starring role as art student Danielle Mullane in Can't Cope, Won't Cope (2016–2018), daughter of Barry McGuigan
• ... (Another 18 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)