Gary History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Gary has changed considerably in the time that has passed since its genesis. It originally appeared in Gaelic as Mag Fhearadhaigh, derived from the word “fearadhach,” possibly meaning “manly.” [1]

Early Origins of the Gary family

The surname Gary was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they held a family seat from ancient times. [2]

Over in Devon, England, “The ‘ Domesday ‘ manor of Kari, in the parish of St. Giles-in-the-Heath, was the first recorded seat of the Gary family ; and one branch continued to reside there so late as the reign of Elizabeth. As early, however, as the reign of Richard II. it ceased to be their principal home. Sir William Gary then settled at Clovelly, and his brother Sir John, ChiefBaron of the Exchequer, acquired, with many other manors, that of Cockington, only to lose them all by deciding for Richard against the Commissioners. His attainder was reversed in favour of his son Robert, who gained the favour of Henry V. by vanquishing an Aragonese knight in Smithfield. Two generations later the family were again in difficulty. Sir William Gary, grandson of Robert, was an ardent Lancastrian ; and one of those who, after the fatal battle of Tewkesbury, took refuge in the Abbey Church. Two days later the refugees were treacherously beheaded. The usual forfeiture followed; but Sir William’s eldest son, Robert, obtained restoration from Henry VII. He was the ancestor of the present stock of Devonshire Carys. From his half-brother spring the ennobled Carys, represented by Lord Falkland.” [3]

Early History of the Gary family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gary research.

Gary Spelling Variations

Scribes and church officials, lacking today’s standardized spelling rules, recorded names by how they were pronounced. This imprecise guide often led to the misleading result of one person’s name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variationsof the surname Gary are preserved in documents of the family history. The various spellings of the name that were found include Garry, Garrihy, Hare, O’Hare, O’Heihir, MacGarry and many more.

Gary Ranking

In the United States, the name Gary is the 1,159^th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. [4] However, in France, the name Gary is ranked the 3,520^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 – 2,500 people with that name. [5]

 Gary migration to the United States +

Ireland saw an enormous decrease in its population in the 19th century due to immigration and death. This pattern of immigration began slowly in the late 18th century and gradually grew throughout the early portion of the 19th century. However, a dramatic increase in the country’s immigration numbers occurred when the Great Potato Famine struck in the 1840s. The early immigrants to North America were primarily destined to be farmers tending to their own plot of land, those that came later initially settled within pre-established urban centers. These urban immigrants provided the cheap labor that the fast developing United States and soon to be Canada required. Regardless of their new lifestyle in North America, the Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada made invaluable contributions to their newly adopted societies. An investigation of immigrant and passenger lists revealed many Garys: 

Gary Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Walter Gary, who arrived in Virginia in 1643 [6]
• Stephen Gary, who landed in Maryland in 1650 [6]
• Richard Gary, who landed in Maryland in 1650 [6]
• Elizabeth Gary, who arrived in Maryland in 1651 [6]
• Jane Gary, who landed in Maryland in 1651 [6]

Gary Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Dennis Gary, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 [6]

 Gary migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Gary Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

• Jean Gary, who landed in Canada in 1642

 Gary 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: 

Gary Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Gary, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship “Evening Star” arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 14th October 1860 [7]