O'Gaffney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Gaffney

What does the name O'Gaffney mean?

The Irish name O'Gaffney has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Gaffney is "Ó Gamhna." However, the name was also used as an Anglicized form by the septs of Ó Caibheanaigh, Mac Conghamhna, and Mac Carrghamhna.1

Early Origins of the O'Gaffney family

The surname O'Gaffney was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the O'Gaffney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Gaffney research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1270 are included under the topic Early O'Gaffney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Gaffney Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O'Gaffney include Gaffney, Gafney, Gaffeney, Gaffeny, Gafferny, Gaffin, Gaffnay, Gaffny, Caulfields, Keveneys and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Gaffney family

More information is included under the topic Early O'Gaffney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Gaffney family

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 O'Gaffney to North America: Patrick Gaffanay who arrived in Philadelphia in 1860; Bernard, Christopher, James, Michael, Patrick, Thomas, and William Gaffney, arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.