Show ContentsO'Cosgreve History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of O'Cosgreve

What does the name O'Cosgreve mean?

All Irish surnames have a unique and often romantic meaning. The name O'Cosgreve originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Coscraigh or Ó Coscraigh, from the word "coscrach," which means victorious. 1

Early Origins of the O'Cosgreve family

The surname O'Cosgreve was first found in Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the O'Cosgreve family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Cosgreve research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1172, 1620 and 1641 are included under the topic Early O'Cosgreve History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Cosgreve Spelling Variations

The archives that survive today demonstrate the difficulty experienced by the scribes of the Middle Ages in their attempt to record these names in writing. Spelling variations of the name O'Cosgreve dating from that time include Cosgrove, Cosgrave, O'Cosgrove, O'Cosgrave, McCosgrove, McCosgrave and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Cosgreve family

More information is included under the topic Early O'Cosgreve Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Cosgreve family

A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name O'Cosgreve: Anne Cosgrave, aged 34; Anne aged 12; Anne aged 18; Bridget aged 22; Bridget 50; Catherine, Ellen, Francis, Hannah, James, John, Julia, Margaret, Mary, Michael, Owen, Pat, Peter, Thomas, William Cosgrave, who all arrived in Quebec in 1848.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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