| ![Show Contents]() O'Grady History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the O'Grady familyThe surname O'Grady was first found in Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, and County Clare where they held a family seat from ancient times. They were descended from Olioll Olum, King of Munster who reigned about 130 A.D. and descended through a line of Chiefs and Kings to John O'Grady, alias O'Brady, who died in 1332 in the Clann territories of Fassaghmore in the county of Clare. His son, Sir Denis O'Grady alias O'Brady of Fassaghmore was knighted by King Henry VI of England. This great confusion of names continued into the 14th and 15th century and to make matters even more confusing the line frequently reverted from one spelling to the other. The Clann seat became established at Kilballyowen in County Limerick, and the present Chief of the Gradys (or Bradys) is one of the few Chiefs recognized in Ireland. He is Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Vogors de Courcy O'Grady. They were settled in Glenstal Abbey. Many of the name were also found in Cavan. Early History of the O'Grady familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Grady research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Grady History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Grady Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Grady, Brady, O'Grady, O'Brady, Braidy, Graidy, Bradie, Braidie, Braydy, Braydie, Gradie, Graidie, Graydy, Graydie, Gradaigh, Grada, Bradigan, O'Bradigan and many more. Early Notables of the O'Grady familyMore information is included under the topic Early O'Grady Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Grady RankingIn the United States, the name O'Grady is the 5,733rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1
| O'Grady migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: O'Grady Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Christine O'Grady, aged 11, who landed in America from Limerick, in 1900
- Cath O'Grady, aged 16, who immigrated to the United States from Limerick, in 1902
- Bridget O'Grady, aged 22, who landed in America from Kilglass, Ireland, in 1907
- Bessie O'Grady, aged 26, who landed in America from Carracastle, Ireland, in 1908
- Delia O'Grady, aged 22, who settled in America from Limerick, Ireland, in 1910
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| O'Grady migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: O'Grady Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Catherine O'Grady, aged 27, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Matilda" from Cork, Ireland
- Nora O'Grady, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Matilda" from Cork, Ireland
| O'Grady migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: O'Grady Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. William O'grady, (b. 1821), aged 21, English labourer who was convicted in Chatham, Kent, England for 7 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Duchess of Northumberland" on 1st October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1847 2
- Daniel O'Grady, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 3
- William O'Grady, aged 22, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 3
- Catherine O'Grady, aged 44, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 3
- Michael O'Grady, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Tantivy"
| O'Grady 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: O'Grady Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Mr. James O'Grady, (b. 1847), aged 36, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 4
| Contemporary Notables of the name O'Grady (post 1700) | + |
- John O'Grady (1940-2023), Irish hurling referee
- Rynagh O'Grady (1954-2021), Irish actress who was known for her role as Mary O'Leary in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and
- Standish James O'Grady (1846-1928), Irish historical novelist and literary historian
- Lorraine O'Grady (1934-2024), American artist, writer, translator, and critic
- Sir Standish O'Grady (1766-1840), 1st Viscount Guillamore, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland
- Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE (b. 1955), British multiple award winning comedian, television presenter, actor and writer
- Paul James O'Grady MBE DL (1955-2023), English comedian, broadcaster, drag queen, actor, and writer, known for The Paul O'Grady Show
- Paul Thomas Francis O'Grady (1960-2015), Australian politician, Labor member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1988 to 1996
- Shaunna O'Grady (b. 1958), Australian actress
- John Patrick O'Grady (1907-1981), Australian writer
- ... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Historic Events for the O'Grady family | + |
- Mrs. Mary O'Grady (1891-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 5
- Mrs. Ellen O'Grady (1891-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 5
- Mr. Edmond O'Grady Jr. (1896-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 5
- Miss Dorothy C. O'Grady (1915-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 5
- Mr. James O'Grady (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class from West Bank, Widnes, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 6
Mount Mulligan Mine - Martin O'Grady, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921
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: Vulneratus non victus
Motto Translation: Wounded not conquered.
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