the Gentle House of Stapleton
McGahey
"not providence but victory"
The surname is one of the native Irish surnames that come from the Irish Gaelic language. The original Gaelic form of the name McGahey is "Mac Eachaidh," from the personal name Eachaidh, which is Anglicized as Aghy. It is cognate with Eochaigh, which is Anglicized as the once-common Christian name Oghy. The surname McGahey was first found in the county of Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
The Hayes families migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Hayes
McGahey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- John McGahey, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812
- Owen McGahey, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1812
- Patrick McGahey, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1812
- William McGahey, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1857
- Ellen McGahey, aged 18, who arrived in America, in 1893
McGahey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Henrietta McGahey, aged 43, who arrived in America from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1900
- William McGahey, aged 27, who arrived in America from England, in 1900
- Mary McGahey, aged 22, who arrived in America from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1905
- Mary Jane McGahey, aged 30, who arrived in America from Knoch, County Down, Ireland, in 1906
- Mary McGahey, aged 10, who arrived in America, in 1906