Hennessy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Hennessy or a variant listed above:

Hennessy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Michael Hennessy, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 4
• Cath Hennessy, aged 16, who landed in New York in 1854 4
• Thomas Hennessy, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1854 4
• Dennis, Edward, George, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Hennessy, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1860
• Mary Hennessy, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1864 4
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hennessy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John Hennessy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1822
• Frances Hennessy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
• John Hennessy, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "William" from Cork, Ireland
• Betsy Hennessy, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Sea Horse" in 1833
• Thomas Hennessy, aged 40, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hennessy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mary Hennessy, Irish convict from Clomenl, Ireland, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 5
• Mr. Peter Hennessy, (b. 1767), aged 53, Irish plough maker who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
• Mr. John Hennessy, (b. 1796), aged 26, Irish coachman who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 3rd September 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Maurice Hennessy, (b. 1804), aged 19, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Castle Forbes" on 28th September 1823, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1863 8
• Mr. Patrick Hennessy, (b. 1810), aged 22, Irish errand boy who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 10th May 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hennessy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Miss Eliza Hennessy, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Dinapore" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 5th August 1857 10
• Mr. John Hennessy, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "John Scott" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 7th March 1858 10
• Patrick Hennessy, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 11
• Helen Hennessy, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 11
• Frederick Hennessy, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 11
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• John F. Hennessy (1951-2024), American politician for Connecticut
• Jeffrey Hennessy (1929-2015), United States trampolining team coach from 1964 to 1980
• Joshua Hennessy (b. 1985), American professional NHL ice hockey player
• Larry Hennessy (1929-2008), American NBA basketball player
• David C. Hennessy (1858-1890), American police chief in New Orleans, Louisiana who was assassinated in 1890, the subsequent trial led to a not guilty verdict causing a mob to rush the prison and lynch 11 of the 19 Italians accused, which later became the subject of the movie Vendetta (1999)
• Frank J. Hennessy, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1916, 1928; U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, 1937-51 12
• Frank H. Hennessy, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New Jersey 9th District, 1942 12
• Daniel J. Hennessy, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Montana State Senate 10th District, 1889-92 12
• Charles O'Connor Hennessy (b. 1860), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Bergen County, 1912-13; Member of New Jersey State Senate from Bergen County, 1914-16 12
• Charles E. Hennessy, American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Ohio, 1928 12
• ... (Another 26 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)