Show ContentsO'Slattery History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of O'Slattery

What does the name O'Slattery mean?

The Irish O'Slattery name in Gaelic was O'Slatraigh meaning "descendant of the strong, tall, bold one," and referring to ancient chief. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "slatra," which means "strong."

Early Origins of the O'Slattery family

The surname O'Slattery was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from early times, and descended from the Heremon line of Irish Kings, holding territories in Thomond (Tuathmhumhan).

Early History of the O'Slattery family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Slattery research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1845 are included under the topic Early O'Slattery History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Slattery Spelling Variations

Many variations of the name O'Slattery were found in archives from the Middle Ages. These variations can be somewhat explained by the challenge of translation of Gaelic names into English. Hence, the spelling and language in which the people's names were recorded was often up to the individual scribe. Variations of the name O'Slattery found include Slattery, Slatterly, Slaterly and others.

Early Notables of the O'Slattery family

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

Migration of the O'Slattery family

Irish families began leaving their homeland for North America in the late 18th century. These families were usually modestly well off, but they were looking forward to owning and working on a sizable tract of land of their own. This pattern of emigration continued until the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine sparked a major exodus of destitute and desperate Irish people. These people were not leaving for a grant of land in North America because by this time the East Coast had reached its saturation point and free land was scarce. They were merely looking to escape the disease, starvation, and hopelessness that Ireland had fallen into. Although these unfortunate immigrants did not receive a warm welcome by the established populations in the United States and what would become Canada, they were absolutely critical to the rapid development that these two nations enjoyed. They would help populate the western lands and provide the cheap labor required for a rapid industrialization. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many early bearers of the name O'Slattery or one of its variants: Helen Slatterly who settled in San Francisco Cal. in 1852; James Slattery and his son arrived in Quebec in 1825; and later moved to Lindsay in Ontario.



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