The Cowley Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 153. Plate 17.)

THE Cowley family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heber. The founder of the family was Cormac, King of Munster, A. D. 483. The ancient name was McCauliffe, which signifies “Son of the Handsome.” The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Cork.

An English family of the name of Cowley settled in Queens County after the Cromwellian wars, where they secured extensive possessions.

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