O'Donnell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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'Donnell family relocated to North American shores quite early:

O'Donnell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Miss Isabella O’Donnell, aged 18, Irish settler who arrived in New York in 1846 aboard the ship "Stephen Whitney"

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

O'Donnell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Richard O'Donnell, who settled in Bay de Verde, Newfoundland in 1802 7
• Edward O'Donnell, who settled in Isle Valen, Newfoundland and died there in 1828 7
• Biddy O'Donnell, aged 17, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
• Neil O'Donnell, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
• Nancy O'Donnell, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

O'Donnell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Michael O'Donnell, (b. 1787), aged 40, Irish farm servant who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 19th July 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
• Miss Bridget O'donnell, (b. 1809), aged 24, Irish house maid born in Dublin who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, mother and sister on board 9
• Miss Catherine O'donnell, (b. 1815), aged 18, Irish nursery maid born in Dublin who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, mother and sister on board 9
• Mr. Thomas O'Donnell, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
• Mr. John O'Donnell, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 25th June 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

O'Donnell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. A. O'Donnell, Australian settler travelling from Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Bright Planet" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 11th June 1842 12
• Mr. Patrick O'Donnell, (b. 1804), aged 43, Irish settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 13
• Mrs. Ann O'Donnell Née Liddy, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 13
• Mr. John O'Donnell, (b. 1840), aged 7, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 13
• Mr. Thomas O'Donnell, (b. 1843), aged 4, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 13
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Peter J. O'Donnell Jr. (1924-2021), American businessman, securities investor and philanthropist, Texas Republican state chair (1962-1969)
• Neil Kennedy O'Donnell (b. 1966), former American NFL football quarterback
• Martin "Marty" O'Donnell (b. 1955), American composer known for his work the video games Myth, Oni, and Halo
• Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell (b. 1962), American multiple Daytime Emmy Award winning and Emmy Award winning actress and talk show host
• Edward Joseph O'Donnell (1932-2009), American Bishop Emeritus of Lafayette
• Chris O'Donnell (b. 1970), American film actor
• D. J. O'Donnell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Dakota, 1924 14
• Clair O'Donnell, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1948 14
• Charles D. O'Donnell, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1916 14
• C. C. O'Donnell, American politician, Independent Candidate for Governor of California, 1886 14
• ... (Another 86 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)