Gerry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Under the rule of England, land ownership in Ireland changed dramatically, and many native Irish families found themselves renting out land to farm from absentee owners. This was one of the prime reasons that immigration to North America began in the late 18th century: Irish farmers dreamed of owning their own parcel of land to work for themselves. At this point, the immigrants were at least of modest means for the passage across the Atlantic was often quite dear. In the 1840s the Great Potato Famine created an exodus of people of quite different means. These people were most often destitute: they either sold anything they had to gain a passage or they were sponsored by philanthropic societies. Many of these immigrants were sick from disease and starvation: as a result many did not survive the long transatlantic journey. Although those settlers that did survive were often despised and discriminated against by people already established in these nations, they were critical to rapid development of the powerful industrial nations of the United States and the country that would later become known as Canada. An examination of immigration and passenger lists shows many persons bearing the name of Gerry or one of its variants:

Gerry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Jon Gerry, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 4
• Arthur Gerry, who arrived in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1638 4
• Edward Gerry, who landed in Maryland in 1675 4
• Lawrence Gerry, who arrived in Maryland in 1675 4
• Lawrence, Gerry Jr., who landed in Maryland in 1675 4

Gerry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Thomas Gerry, who landed in America in 1802 4
• Patrick Gerry, who arrived in America in 1807 4
• William Gerry, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 4
• Nancy Gerry, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 4
• Fr W Gerry, who arrived in America in 1844 4

Gerry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Edward Gerry, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"
• James Gerry, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"
• Rose Gerry, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Lady Ann"

Gerry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mrs. Ann R. Gerry, (b. 1857), aged 21, Cornish settler departing on 18th November 1878 aboard the ship "Boyne" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th February 1879 5
• Mr. Nicholas Gerry, (b. 1856), aged 22, Cornish farm labourer departing on 18th November 1878 aboard the ship "Boyne" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th February 1879 5

• Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814), American Founding Father, 5th Vice President of the United States (1813-1814), 9th Governor of Massachusetts (1810-1812), eponym of the term "gerrymander" from a cartoon in the The Boston Gazette in 1812 6
• Joseph John Gerry O.S.B. (1928-2023), American Benedictine monk and prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
• Martha B. Farish Gerry (1918-2007), American Thoroughbred racehorse owner
• Robert L. Gerry 111 (b. 1937), American businessman and petroleum industry executive
• Robert L. Gerry Jr. (1911-1979), American polo player
• Robert L. Gerry Sr. (1877-1957), American thoroughbred horse owner & breeder
• Peter Goelet Gerry (1879-1957), American lawyer and politician
• E. Peabody Gerry, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, 1903 6
• David M. Gerry, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Lycoming County Democratic Party, 1937 6
• Curtis Gerry, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maine, 1956 6
• ... (Another 12 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)