McGuirk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ireland saw an enormous decrease in its population in the 19th century due to immigration and death. This pattern of immigration began slowly in the late 18th century and gradually grew throughout the early portion of the 19th century. However, a dramatic increase in the country's immigration numbers occurred when the Great Potato Famine struck in the 1840s. The early immigrants to North America were primarily destined to be farmers tending to their own plot of land, those that came later initially settled within pre-established urban centers. These urban immigrants provided the cheap labor that the fast developing United States and soon to be Canada required. Regardless of their new lifestyle in North America, the Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada made invaluable contributions to their newly adopted societies. An investigation of immigrant and passenger lists revealed many McGuirks:

McGuirk Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Ann McGuirk, who settled in Waldoboro Massachusetts in 1821
• Ann McGuirk, aged 19, who landed in America in 1821 1
• John, Matthew, Michael, and Patrick McGuirk also, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1821 and 1876

McGuirk Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Eliza McGuirk, aged 30, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Europa" 2
• Bridget McGuirk, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "John Banks" 3

• Bernard J. McGuirk (1957-2022), American radio personality, host at WABC in New York City, executive producer of the Imus in the Morning radio program
• William Edward McGuirk (1918-2005), American banker, Chairman of Mercantile Bankshares Corp (1970-1984)
• Warren P. McGuirk (1906-1981), American dean of the School of Physical Education and Director of Athletics at the University of Massachusetts
• Terry McGuirk, currently the American chairman of Major League Baseball 's Atlanta Braves
• Michelle McGuirk (b. 1958), American professional wrestling personality
• Leroy Michael McGuirk (1910-1988), American wrestler and professional wrestling promoter
• Russell H. McGuirk, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from New Hampshire 1st District, 1956 4
• Harry James McGuirk (1923-1992), American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1964; Member of Maryland State Senate District 12; Elected 1966; Elected unopposed 1970 4
• Don McGuirk, American Republican politician, Member of Nevada State Senate, 1950 4
• Bill McGuirk (1930-2001), English actor, known for his work in The Case of the Frightened Lady (1983), Strike: The Birth of Solidarity (1981) and Doctor Who (1963)