O'Ardell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of O'Ardell

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Ardell is Mac Ardghail, from the word "ardghal," which means "high valor."

Early Origins of the O'Ardell family

Early History of the O'Ardell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Ardell research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1592 are included under the topic Early O'Ardell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Ardell Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name O'Ardell dating from that time include Cardle, McCardle, Cardell, McCardel, McCardell and others.

Early Notables of the O'Ardell family

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

Migration of the O'Ardell family

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the O'Ardell family relocated to North American shores quite early: Arthur, Edward, Henry, James, William Cardell all settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860; James McCardle, also Michael, Owen, Patrick, Philip, Thomas, and James McArdy all settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860. Arthur, Peter, Philip and Mary McCardel settled in Pennsylvania between 1773 and 1845.