Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name O'Hennessey originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó hAonghusa, which means "descendant of Angus." (O'Hart)
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Early Origins of the O'Hennessey family
The surname O'Hennessey was first found in County Offaly (Irish: Uíbh Fháilí) originally the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, located in central Ireland in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.
Early History of the O'Hennessey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Hennessey research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Hennessey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
O'Hennessey Spelling Variations
A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O'Hennessey include Hennessey, Henasey, Henasay, Henchy, Henchey, Henchie, Hinchy, Hinchey, Hinchie, Henesey, Henessy, Henesy, Hennesey and many more.
Early Notables of the O'Hennessey family
More information is included under the topic Early O'Hennessey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the O'Hennessey family
Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name O'Hennessey to North America: William Hennesey who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1874; Edmund, Edward, James, Michael, Patrick and Robert Hennessey settled in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1870.
