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MCGRATH Family History

Mac Craith- anglicised as McGrath, Magragh, Macgragh, MacGrath, MacGragh, MacGraw, &c. An equally legitimate form in Irish is Mac Raith or Mag Raith. The root word is possibly 'Raith', which Woulfe says means 'grace' or 'prosperity' ('Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall', Dublin, 1923). 'Mac' or abbreviated form 'Mc', simply means 'son'.

There were families of the name in early times in Donegal, Thomond, Waterford and the north of Ireland, where they came as settlers from Scotland. To take the Donegal MacGraths first, these were coarbs (incumbents of an abbey &c., who were successors of the founding saint) of St Daveog, now known as Termon Macgrath at Lough Dearg; their castle, though, was at the head of Lough Erne. The Thomond ( Tuadh Mhumhain: modern Clare & Limerick) family were hereditary filidh (poets and genealogists) to the O Briens. The fili (Old Irish: plural filid) was really more genealogist than poet, being bound by strict rules in 'job description': viz. to tell of the past deeds of the clan, and safeguard its continuous pedigree or family record. The Scottish family were orignally of Kintail. The name is fairly numerous in 19th century Ulster records, principally in Tyrone and Down.

It seems that MacGraths, both north and south were a scholarly tribe. The Thomond family were, in the 16th century, the ollúna, or master teachers, at the bardic school in Cahir, Co Tipperary. The Thomond McGraths have been numerous in that county and Co Waterford since that time. There were plenty of small farmers in South Tipperary in the 19th century, and into modern times.

In Sir William Petty's 'Census' of 1659, really an ambitious survey of Ireland and its population, both native and settler, in the Cromwellian period, we find the name as a 'Principal Irish Name' in:

Co Donegal
Tirhugh Barony, 14 (all figures for households or families) McGragh.

Co Fermanagh
under Parishes of Aghararcher &c., 8 McGragh & McGra.

Co Limerick
Costlea Barony, 17 MacCraith.

Co Tipperary
Iffa & Offa Barony, 35 McCrath; Upper Ormond, 11 Magrath; Owney & Arra, 8 of Mc & Magrath; Clanwilliam, 17 Magrath & McCrath.

Co Waterford
Decies Barony, 57 Cragh & McCragh; Glenahiry, 5 McCragh; Upperthird, 9 McCragh.


By the time of Griffith's 'Primary Valuation' of Irish households in the 1850s, the top counties for McGrath were: Tipperary 450 (all figures =households), Waterford 274, Limerick 166, Cork 149, Clare & Kilkenny 145 each, and Down 134. The spelling McGrath was the most numerous with 2485 entries, followed by Magrath with 841 entries.

The top counties for variant Magrath were: Tipperary 141, Down 60, Kilkenny 58, Tyrone 54 and Waterford 43.

R.E. Matheson's 'Special Report on Surnames in Ireland' (1894, 1909), based on the 1890 births distribution, shows most McGraths in counties Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Antrim and Tyrone. There were 233 entries for McGrath and 31 for Magrath. 131 of all entries were in Munster.

Remarkable McGraths:

Ruadhrí Mac Craith of Termonmagrath (fl. 15th/16th c.) was the patron of the 'Annals of Ulster', a major source for Irish history and genealogy. This is the Donegal/Fermanagh family.

Miler McGrath (1523-1622) of the Fermanagh McGraths, famous for 'doing the impossible': held both Catholic and Protestant bishoprics at the same time! He'd actually started as a Franciscan friar, then became a Protestant, rising to become Bishop of Cashel, whilst at the same time 'occupying' the Catholic chair of Down. He must have enjoyed being a bishop, because he did it four times! He only married twice, however.

Master M'Grath (1866-1873) of the Waterford clan. This greyhound has been celebrated in song and story. He was Lord Lurgan's prize coursing greyhound. Legend says that he was rescued as a pup from drowning, by an inebriated gentleman. He went on to beat all the competition, in both Ireland and England, winning the Waterloo Cup three times. He was summoned to appear before Queen Victoria. He should have been knighted.

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    Diane Ortega

    My grandmother was a McGrath from Northern Ireland, I believe. Her name was Rose and she was born @ 1885. I have records somewhere with  her family lineage. She settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was in Ireland in 2014 but was unable to take time to research. would love to know more and possibly go back someday.
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    Kathi McGrath

    Hi Cant find anything before our US connections, great grandfather came to VT in the late 1800's James Joseph McGrath, ended up in Jericho, VT farming. I have visited Waterford and saw remains of McGrath's castle and found a priest who was very accommodating with information about that areas McGrath's. Hope to spend more time on this , found a marriage certificate with McGraw instead of McGrath, family lore says boot legging was involved. Haha.
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    Jaclyn

    Hiii there... just a shot in the dark, but my brother in law is seeking his father he never met Mr William (Billy) Ferguson McGrath from South Africa. He was the Sales Manager for Electrolux Germiston during 1977. He must be in his seventies now. It was heard last that he moved to Australia with his wife, son and daughter. If you could connect us my email is jaclynsagency@gmail.com
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    ellen1159

    My McGrath ancestor was Andrew McGrath, born 1818 in Galway city Salthill, died Rahoon Parish, Galway, 1883 or 1884. His fathers name was Michael and he was from Moycullen, Galway. Andrew married Julia Judith Hackett 1829-?, daughter of Michael and Catherine Carrol Hackett of Rahoon Parish, Galway. Their oldest son, Michael b. Rahoon parish, 1865 emigrated to the U.S. and settled in the Scranton, PA area to work the coal mines. His sisters Norah and Catherine also emigrated, as well as his brother in law Luke Hackett. Would love to connect with any other McGraths from Galway.
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    Thomas McGrath

    I was born in London to my Dad John McGrath who was born in Galway (Wood Quay).  His Mother Mary McGrath (who passed away in 2008 at the age of 98) was married to Thomas McGrath who I am named after.  Much of my family still live in Ireland and around Galway.
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    SnFMcgrath

    Hi! I am about to marry into the McGrath family! My fiance is from Cork, Ireland. He joined the military while young, his parents passed away, and he never got to know his family history. I was hoping to be able to put together something for him. Id like to know what the official family tartan is, as well as military background. If anyone could help, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
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    JMcGrath0297

    Greetings to all my family out there in the World. Im a member of the Glaswegian branch of the McGrath clan. If any of you knew my grandfather Joe McGrath who lived here in Glasgow until just a few years ago Im sure the rest of the Glasgow Branch would be glad to know they havent been severed from the other branches.
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    McGrath

    I am trying to find any McGraths who went to Glasgow or Edinburgh from Waterford/ Carrick on Suir any time after 1890. Or any that served in the Military in those areas.
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