Meehan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Meehan:

Meehan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Owen Meehan, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 4
• David Meehan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 4
• John Henry Meehan, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1835 4
• Peter Meehan, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1850 4
• Mary Meehan, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1851 4
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meehan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Anne Meehan, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
• Mrs. Ann Meehan, aged 25 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 5
• Miss. Catherine Meehan, aged 11 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Naomi" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 5
• Miss. Ellen Meehan who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 5
• Mrs. Ellen Meehan, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Numa" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meehan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mrs. Jane Meehan, (b. 1798), aged 28, Irish house servant who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 2 children 6
• Mr. John Meehan, (b. 1805), aged 26, Irish soldier who was convicted in Fermanagh, Ireland for 7 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 5th November 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1836 7
• Mr. Owen Meehan, (b. 1792), aged 40, Irish labourer who was convicted in Cavan, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 1st July 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1875 8
• Mr. John Meehan, (b. 1813), aged 25, Irish labourer who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 29th December 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
• Mr. Rowley Meehan, (b. 1808), aged 30, Irish butcher who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meehan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Peter J. Meehan, aged 23, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880
• Joseph Meehan, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880
• Margaret Meehan, aged 20, a dairymaid, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880
• Elizabeth J. Meehan, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Triumph" in 1883

• Francis Joseph Meehan (1924-2022), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1979-80; Poland, 1980-83; East Germany, 1985 11
• Thomas Edward Meehan (1934-2017), American three-time Tony award winning writer, best known for Annie, The Producers, and Hairspray
• Lew Meehan (1890-1951), also known as Bill Guinn, an American film actor who appeared in 207 films between 1921 and 1947
• John Francis "Chick" Meehan (1893-1972), American football player and coach
• Lew Meehan (1890-1951), American film actor who appeared in 207 films between 1921 and 1947
• Martin Thomas "Marty" Meehan (b. 1956), American attorney and politician, current Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell
• John Silva Meehan (1790-1863), American printer and publisher, the fourth Librarian of the United States Congress (1829 to 1861)
• John Meehan (1902-1963), American three-time Oscar winning art director and production designer
• Charles V. Meehan, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Ansonia, 1920, 1922 11
• Charles J. Meehan, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for New York, 1956 11
• ... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)