The McCloskey Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 166. Plate 62.)

THE McCloskey family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heremon. The founder of the family was Eogan, ancestor of the Northern Hy Nials and son of Nial of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland, A. D. 379. The ancient name was Loskey and signifies “The Blind.” The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Donegal.

There have been many eminent representatives of this family in America. Among the hierarchy may be mentioned his Eminence, John McCloskey, the late Cardinal Archbishop of New York, the first American ever elevated to the dignity of the cardinalate, and the Most Rev. Rev. William George McCloskey, Bishop of Louisville, Ky.

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