Doody History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Doody to North America:

Doody Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Edward Doody, who landed in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1843 4
• Mary Doody, aged 18, who landed in New York in 1854 4
• Thomas Doody, who arrived in Alabama in 1858 4
• Jeremeah Doody, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1860 4

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doody Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• William Doody, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Sea Horse" in 1833
• Mr. Daniel Doody, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Bee" departing 17th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but he died on board 5

Doody Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. George Doody, British convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mr. Joshua Doody, British Convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 13th March 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mary Doody, aged 17, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Elgin" in 1849 8
• William Doody, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lord Ashburton" in 1850 9
• John Doody, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sibella" 10
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Doody Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• John Doody, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 11
• Elizabeth Ann Doody, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 11
• James Doody, aged 20, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ballochmyle" in 1874

• Margaret Anne Doody (b. 1939), American professor of literature at the University of Notre Dame
• Alison Doody (b. 1966), Irish actress and model who at 18 was - and remains - the youngest Bond girl for her role in A View to a Kill
• C. William Doody (1931-2005), Newfoundland-born, Canadian politician, member of the Senate of Canada representing Newfoundland and Labrador (1979-2005)
• Rachel Doody (b. 1984), New Zealand former association football player
• Michael Doody, Canadian politician, Mayor of Timmins, Ontario (1977 to 1980)
• Nick Doody (b. 1972), British stand-up comedian