Show ContentsWalshe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

With the arrival of the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 11th century came new naming traditions to the eastern region of Ireland. These new naming traditions actually meshed fairly well with the pre-existing Irish traditions. Both cultures made significant use of hereditary surnames. And like the native Irish, the Strongbownians often used prefixes to build patronymic surnames, which are names based on the given name of the initial bearer's father or another older relative. Strongbow's followers often created names that were built with the prefix Fitz-, which was derived from the French word fils, and ultimately from the Latin filius, both of which mean son. They also used diminutive suffixes such as -ot, -et, -un, -in, or -el, and occasionally even two suffixes combined to form a double diminutive such as -el-in, -el-ot, -in-ot, and -et-in, to build patronymic names. The surname Walshe is derived from Breat(h)nach which literally means Welshman. Phillip Brenagh, known as "Phillip the Welshman" was likely the progenitor of the family. Phillip and his brother David arrived with Strongbow, in 1170.

Early Origins of the Walshe family

The surname Walshe was first found in Counties Kilkenny, Leix, and Waterford, in Ireland, where they held a family seat from 1170.

Early History of the Walshe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Walshe research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1580, 1604, 1606, 1615, 1618, 1654 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Walshe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Walshe Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes and church officials spelled the names as they sounded, so a name was often spelled many different ways during the lifetime of a single person. The investigation of the origin of the name Walshe revealed many spelling variations including Walsh, Welsh, Welch, Brannagh and others.

Early Notables of the Walshe family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Rev. Peter Walsh (1618-1688), who wrote "The Loyal Remonstrance"; for which he was excommunicated from the Franciscan Order; John Walsh...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Walshe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Walshe migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Walshe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Walshe, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1846 1
  • James Walshe, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Bruce" in 1846 2

New Zealand Walshe migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Walshe Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Walshe, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
  • Mr. Thomas Walshe, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Sevilla" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1859 3
  • Mrs. Walshe, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Sevilla" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1859 3
  • Miss Walshe, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Sevilla" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1859 3
  • William Walshe, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blairgowrie" in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Walshe (post 1700) +

  • Pat Walshe (1900-1991), American dwarf actor and animal impersonator, best known for playing Nikko, the head of the Winged Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz (1939)
  • Walter Hayle Walshe (1812-1892), Irish pioneer physician who discovered that malignant cells can be recognised under a microscope
  • Jennifer Walshe (b. 1974), Irish composer, vocalist and artist
  • Joseph "Joe" Walshe (1886-1956), Irish civil servant, Secretary of the Department of External Affairs (1923 to 1946)
  • Nicholas Patrick James Walshe (b. 1974), English rugby union footballer
  • Matthew Walshe (b. 1970), English cricketer
  • Gwenethe Walshe (1918-2006), New Zealand-born, British Latin and ballroom dancer
  • Sir Francis Martin Rouse Walshe FRS (1885-1973), British neurologist, Fellow of the Royal Society (1946)


The Walshe Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Transfixus sed non mortuus
Motto Translation: Transfixed but not dead.


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HOOGHLY 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Hooghly.htm
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LADY BRUCE 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846LadyBruce.htm
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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