The McGilligan or Gilligan Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 258. Plate 49.)

THE McGilligan family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Ir. The founder of the family was Irial, son of Conal Kearnach, of the Clanna Rory tribe and fifth in degree from Rory O’More, Chieftain in Ulster, who gave the tribe its name, B. C. 87. The ancient name was Gilligan and signifies “The Obedient.”

The possessions of the clan were located in the present County of Donegal. The McGilligans were chiefs also in the Counties of Cavan and Longford.

Among the representatives of this family in the United States, may be mentioned Mr. John Magilligan, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

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