Show ContentsSheahy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • Ireland
Sheahy Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Sheahy

What does the name Sheahy mean?

The Irish name Sheahy is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Sithigh," which is probably derived from "sithigh," meaning "peace." 1

Early Origins of the Sheahy family

The surname Sheahy was first found in Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they have held a family seat from ancient times and it is said that they arrived in Limerick about 1400, having come from the north where they were a branch of the McDonnells of Antrim. The sept were "gallowglasses," mercenary soldiers who fought for kings and chiefs. In Limerick they served the Earl of Desmond and held a family seat near the town of Rathkeale. 2

Early History of the Sheahy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sheahy research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1642, 1728, 1766, 1841, 1844, 1885, 1900, 1903, 1917, 1918 and 1932 are included under the topic Early Sheahy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sheahy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sheehy, McSheehy, MacSheehy, Sheehey, Sheehee, McSheehey, McSheehee, MacSheehey, MacSheehee, O'Sheehy and many more.

Early Notables of the Sheahy family

Bernard (Brian) McSheehy, Adjutant General, Aide-de-Camp to Napoleon. Father Nicholas Sheehy (1728-1766) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest who was executed on the charge of being an accessory to murder. He was a prominent and vocal opponent of the Penal Laws, which subjected the Catholic Church in Ireland to religious persecution. His conviction is generally thought to have been a miscarriage of justice. He is regarded as one of the Irish Catholic Martyrs. Father Eugene Sheehy (1841-1917)...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sheahy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sheahy family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edmund Sheehy, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1815; Cathn. Sheehy, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1817; Edmond Sheehy, who arrived in Quebec in 1825; William Sheehy, who was on record in Allegheny Coujty, PA in 1828.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.

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