Gorman History

GORMAN COAT OF ARMS
A coat of arms consists of three parts:
Blazon (image on the shield). Crest (image above the shield). Motto (image under the shield).
The Gorman Coat of Arms, and much of the following information, comes from the website of Richard Gorman: http://www.impulsetradingcompany.com/gorman.htm. I thank him for his permission to use it here. This description of the Gorman coat-of-arms is recorded in "The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, & Wales" by Sir Bernard Burke, C.B., LL.D., Ulster King of Arms (1884, originally published 1842):
"A Sept derived from Cathair Mor, King of Leinster, who inhabited the territory of Hy Bairche, in the Queen's county and county Carlow, from which they were driven after the invasion of 1172, and settled under the O'Briens in the Barony of Ibrickan, in Thomond; they derived their surname from Gormain, Chief of the Sept. Azure a lion passant between three swords erect argent. Crest- An arm embowed in armor, grasping in the hand a sword, blade wavy, all proper. Mottoes- Tosach catha agus deinadh air; and, Primi et ultimi in bello."

A coat of arms consists of three parts:

Blazon (image on the shield). Crest (image above the shield). Motto (image under the shield).

Gorman Crest

The Gorman Coat of Arms, and much of the following information, comes from the website of Richard Gorman: http://www.impulsetradingcompany.com/gorman.htm. I thank him for his permission to use it here.

This description of the Gorman coat-of-arms is recorded in "The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, & Wales" by Sir Bernard Burke, C.B., LL.D., Ulster King of Arms (1884, originally published 1842):

"A Sept derived from Cathair Mor, King of Leinster, who inhabited the territory of Hy Bairche, in the Queen's county and county Carlow, from which they were driven after the invasion of 1172, and settled under the O'Briens in the Barony of Ibrickan, in Thomond; they derived their surname from Gormain, Chief of the Sept. Azure a lion passant between three swords erect argent. Crest- An arm embowed in armor, grasping in the hand a sword, blade wavy, all proper. Mottoes- Tosach catha agus deinadh air; and, Primi et ultimi in bello."

GORMAN MOTTO
The Gaelic Gorman motto is "Tosach catha agus deinadh air" meaning "First in the battle, last in the fight". The Latin version is "Primi et ultimi in bello" meaning "First and last in war".

The Gaelic Gorman motto is "Tosach catha agus deinadh air" meaning "First in the battle, last in the fight". The Latin version is "Primi et ultimi in bello" meaning "First and last in war".

THE MEANING OF GORMAN
"Gorman" may be derived from "gorm", meaning blue. It would be easy to assume that this has something to do with the blue shield. However, among the Celts' psychological warfare techniques was the practice of going into battle naked, carrying only one's weapons. They also introduced the use of woad, a blue dye made from a species of plant of the mustard family. If you saw Mel Gibson in Braveheart, you may remember that his face was painted blue for battle. They also smeared lime paste into their hair to make it stand on end (not unlike the "spiked" hairstyles of our own era). Imagine if you will, a naked Pagan Celt, his body painted blue, his hair standing on end, brandishing a great sword, charging down the field at you, screaming a battle cry ... are you going to wait around to see what he does for an encore? I find it very believable that a prominent warrior could have been renowned for this practice, i.e. painting his body blue to intimidate the enemy, and that his sons and daughters could be known as "children of the blue one" - MacGormans. On the other hand, others say this is all fantasy. They claim that "gorm" simply means an "illustrious," "swarthy," or "dark" man: Gorm-man.
(Mac)Gorman, (O)Gorman This name is of particular interest philologically because although it is (with rare exceptions) really a Mac name it is almost always found today - when not plain Gorman - as O'Gorman. This can be accounted for by the fact that in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, when the native Irish were in complete subjection, the Gaelic prefixes Mac and O were universally allowed to fall into disuse, particularly in the case of some names like Gorman; then, when the spirit of the nation revived, these prefixes were gradually restored, but so completely had the form MacGorman fallen into oblivion that its rightful bearers when resuming a prefix assumed the wrong one and became O'Gorman, with the result that MacGormans are hardly to be found at all in Ireland today except in Co. Monaghan. O'Gormans are found chiefly in Co. Clare, while plain Gorman is more usual in Co. Tipperary. The Irish form is Mac Gormain (derived from gorm, blue). Originally this sept inhabited the barony of Slievemargy in Co. Leix near the town of Carlow, of which their chief was lord, but they were driven out at the Norman invasion and settled in Ibrickan, West Clare, and in Co. Monaghan. In the former they attained considerable influence and the head of the sept became hereditary marshal to O'Brien of Thomond. The MacGormans of Ibrickan were noted especially in the fifteenth century for their wealth, hospitality and for their patronage of the Gaelic poets. There are ten townlands called Gormanstown lying in Counties Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Wicklow, Limerick and Tipperary and two called Gormanston in Counties Dublin and Meath. Gormanston in the parish Stamullen, Co. Meath, appears as Villa Macgorman in a cartulary of Llanthony of c. 1200. Probably the man chiefly responsible for the substitution of O for Mac in the name was the celebrated gigantic Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman (1725-1808), exile vineyard owner in France, who, after being ruined by the French Revolution, became a constructor of Irish pedigrees. Several O'Gormans were prominently associated with Irish politics, notably Nicholas Purcell O'Gorman (1778-1857), secretary of the Catholic Association, and Richard O'Gorman (1820-1895), the Young Irelander. The original name has a place in the roll of distinguished Irishmen, in the early days before the prefix was dropped, in the person of Finn MacGorman who was bishop of Kildare 1148-1160 and is famous as the compiler of "The book of Leinster. Gorman is a relatively common name in England, where it is derived from the Middle English personal name Gormund, from gar, meaning 'spear', and mund, meaning 'protection'. A few Irish Gormans may be of this connection, but in the vast majority of cases in Ireland the surname comes from the original Irish Mac Gormain, from a diminutive of gorm, meaning 'blue'. The original homeland was in Co. Laois, in Slievmargy, but they were dispossessed by the Prestons, a Norman family, and removed to counties Clare and Monaghan. The Clare branch became well known in later years for the extent of their wealth and hospitality, and for their patronage of poetry. From Clare they spread also into the adjoining county of Tipperary. When the native Irish began to resume the old O and Mac prefixes to their names in the nineteenth century, the Clare family mistakenly became "O'Gorman", probably following the error of the then best known bearer of the surname, Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman (1725-1808), an Irish exile in France. In Tipperary, the name has generally remained 'Gorman', while in Monaghan the original MacGorman still exists, along with the other two versions. Ui Bairrche The Ui Bairrche (Hy Bairrche) was the generic name for the O'Gormans and related families. The Ui Bairrche ruled the tuath or territory of now known as the barony of Slievmargy in Southeast Queens County (Southeast County Leix) adjoining Carlow. An early king of Leinster (Laigin) was M—enach macMuiredach Sn’the O'Bairrche, King of Leinster. Through Cathair Mor's son, Daire Barrach, is claimed to descend the U’ Bairrche (e.g. O'Gorman). The original U’ Bairrche are said to be related to the Brigantes tribe of northern Britain, and that they ruled southern Leinster from the earliest centuries A.D. until their power was broken by the U’ Cheinnselaig. At that time they were split into at least two major grougs, the U’ Bairrche of northern Carlow (Ui Bairrche Maighe) and those of southern Wexford (Ui Bairrche Tire). An early genealogy of the U’ Bairrche: Gussan mc Muiredaig m. Meic Raith m. Gormáin m. Muircherdaig m. Donnchada m. Aeda m. Tressaig m. Luachdaib m. Gussáin m. Dunacáin m. Gormáin m. Echach m. Coibdenaig m. Máel h-Umae m. Suibne m. Domnaill m. Cormaicc m. Diarmata m. Echach Guinig m. îengussa m. Meicc Ercca m. Breccáin m. FŽicc m. Dáire Barraig m. Catha’r Máir. The Annals cite: For 465/79, Crimhthann, son of Enda Censelach, King of Leinster, was killed by the son of his own daughter, i.e. Eochaidh Guineach, one of the Ui Bairrche. For 854, Faelchadh, son of Forbhasach, lord of Ui Bairrche Maighe, died. For 856, Cearnach, son of Cinaeth, lord of Ui Bairrche Tire, died. For 866, Conn, son of Cinaedh, lord of Ui Bairrchi Tire, was slain while demolishing the fortress of the foreigners. For 867, Cian, son of Cumasgach, lord of Ui Bairrchi Tire, died. For 884, Treasach, son of Becan, chief of Ui Bairche Maighe, was slain by Aedh, son of Ilguine. For 885, The mortal wounding of Maelchertaigh, son of Fiachra, lord of Ui Bairche. For 886, Gormacan, son of Flann, chief of Ui Bairrche Tire, died. For 896, Dubhlachtna, son of Ceirine, lord of Ui Bairrche, died. For 906, Aedh, mac Duibhghiolla, tighearna Ua n-Dr—na na t-Tr’ Maighe, tanaisi Ua c-Ceinnselaigh, do mharbhadh la h-Uibh Bairrche. For 1042, Dondchadh mac Aeda, r’ h-Ua m-Bairrche. For 1042, Mac Craith mac Gormain maic Tresaig ri H-ua m-Bairrche. Gorman is a common name in all of the provinces of Ireland and in Ulster it is most common in counties Monaghan and Antrim. In Ireland generally it is one of the names that has responded to the Gaelic revivals by resuming the 'O' prefix. Whereas in 1890 O'Gorman was outnumbered by six to one by Gorman, the name with the prefix is now in the majority. However, in Gaelic Ireland Gorman was a "Mac" name, Mac Gormain (from gorm, meaning 'blue'). It is thought the mistake began in the eighteenth century when Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman, 1725-1808, who, as an expert on Irish pedigrees should have known better, assumed the "O". The original sept was from Slievemargy, near Carlow, but was driven out by the Norman Preston family and settled in counties Clare and Monaghan. The form MacGorman is still found in Co. Monaghan and the importance of the name there is remembered in the placenames Fartagorman near Bellatrain, Killygorman in Killeevan, and Lisdungorman in Clontibret. There is also a Rathgorman in Co. Down. Peadar Livingstone, in The Fermanagh Story, claims that the Gormans who were erenaghs of Callowhill in that county were originally O Gormain and so a few at least of the present-day O'Gormans may be correctly named. Some Gormans in Ulster were originally Gormleys, an entirely separate name. Most Gormans are thought to have originally spelled the name as Mac Gorman, but the Mac prefix has been widely dropped from the name. Many MacGormans who became simply "Gorman", later added an "O" back onto the name instead of the "Mac", thus becoming O'Gorman. The two names may be one in the same! The family is anciently found in the barony of Slievemargy, near Carlow in Leix (Queens County). Forced from their homeland with the coming of the Norman invasions, they moved into Monaghan where the "MacGorman" spelling was often used. They were also in Clare, in the barony of Ibracken, where most O'Gormans are found today. Keating's History gives the family as chiefs of territory comprising parts of the baronies of Moyarta and Ibracken in Clare. This branch of the family served as hereditary marshals to the O'Briens and held considerable lands in Clare. The place name of Gormanstown or Gormanston, is common, for it can be found in Meath, Westmeath, Wicklow, Limerick, Tipperary and Dublin. O'Dugan and O'Heerin give O'Gorman or MacGorman as chiefs in Queens County (Leix) and speak thus of them: "MacGorman of great valour, Rules over the fair U’ Barchi... of the melodious race of Dari Barach, O'Gorman took possession of the lands, A chief who actively rushed to battle" In the 17th century Gorman was a principal name in Clare, and found in Dublin, and O'Gorman was a principal name of Armagh. McGormon was as a principal of Monaghan, and in Louth. In 1890, "O'Gorman" is found mainly in Clare.

THE MEANING OF GORMAN

"Gorman" may be derived from "gorm", meaning blue. It would be easy to assume that this has something to do with the blue shield. However, among the Celts' psychological warfare techniques was the practice of going into battle naked, carrying only one's weapons. They also introduced the use of woad, a blue dye made from a species of plant of the mustard family. If you saw Mel Gibson in Braveheart, you may remember that his face was painted blue for battle. They also smeared lime paste into their hair to make it stand on end (not unlike the "spiked" hairstyles of our own era). Imagine if you will, a naked Pagan Celt, his body painted blue, his hair standing on end, brandishing a great sword, charging down the field at you, screaming a battle cry ... are you going to wait around to see what he does for an encore? I find it very believable that a prominent warrior could have been renowned for this practice, i.e. painting his body blue to intimidate the enemy, and that his sons and daughters could be known as "children of the blue one" - MacGormans.

On the other hand, others say this is all fantasy. They claim that "gorm" simply means an "illustrious," "swarthy," or "dark" man: Gorm-man.

(Mac)Gorman, (O)Gorman

This name is of particular interest philologically because although it is (with rare exceptions) really a Mac name it is almost always found today - when not plain Gorman - as O'Gorman. This can be accounted for by the fact that in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, when the native Irish were in complete subjection, the Gaelic prefixes Mac and O were universally allowed to fall into disuse, particularly in the case of some names like Gorman; then, when the spirit of the nation revived, these prefixes were gradually restored, but so completely had the form MacGorman fallen into oblivion that its rightful bearers when resuming a prefix assumed the wrong one and became O'Gorman, with the result that MacGormans are hardly to be found at all in Ireland today except in Co. Monaghan. O'Gormans are found chiefly in Co. Clare, while plain Gorman is more usual in Co. Tipperary. The Irish form is Mac Gormain (derived from gorm, blue). Originally this sept inhabited the barony of Slievemargy in Co. Leix near the town of Carlow, of which their chief was lord, but they were driven out at the Norman invasion and settled in Ibrickan, West Clare, and in Co. Monaghan. In the former they attained considerable influence and the head of the sept became hereditary marshal to O'Brien of Thomond. The MacGormans of Ibrickan were noted especially in the fifteenth century for their wealth, hospitality and for their patronage of the Gaelic poets. There are ten townlands called Gormanstown lying in Counties Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Wicklow, Limerick and Tipperary and two called Gormanston in Counties Dublin and Meath. Gormanston in the parish Stamullen, Co. Meath, appears as Villa Macgorman in a cartulary of Llanthony of c. 1200. Probably the man chiefly responsible for the substitution of O for Mac in the name was the celebrated gigantic Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman (1725-1808), exile vineyard owner in France, who, after being ruined by the French Revolution, became a constructor of Irish pedigrees. Several O'Gormans were prominently associated with Irish politics, notably Nicholas Purcell O'Gorman (1778-1857), secretary of the Catholic Association, and Richard O'Gorman (1820-1895), the Young Irelander. The original name has a place in the roll of distinguished Irishmen, in the early days before the prefix was dropped, in the person of Finn MacGorman who was bishop of Kildare 1148-1160 and is famous as the compiler of "The book of Leinster.

Gorman is a relatively common name in England, where it is derived from the Middle English personal name Gormund, from gar, meaning 'spear', and mund, meaning 'protection'. A few Irish Gormans may be of this connection, but in the vast majority of cases in Ireland the surname comes from the original Irish Mac Gormain, from a diminutive of gorm, meaning 'blue'. The original homeland was in Co. Laois, in Slievmargy, but they were dispossessed by the Prestons, a Norman family, and removed to counties Clare and Monaghan. The Clare branch became well known in later years for the extent of their wealth and hospitality, and for their patronage of poetry. From Clare they spread also into the adjoining county of Tipperary. When the native Irish began to resume the old O and Mac prefixes to their names in the nineteenth century, the Clare family mistakenly became "O'Gorman", probably following the error of the then best known bearer of the surname, Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman (1725-1808), an Irish exile in France. In Tipperary, the name has generally remained 'Gorman', while in Monaghan the original MacGorman still exists, along with the other two versions.

Ui Bairrche

The Ui Bairrche (Hy Bairrche) was the generic name for the O'Gormans and related families. The Ui Bairrche ruled the tuath or territory of now known as the barony of Slievmargy in Southeast Queens County (Southeast County Leix) adjoining Carlow. An early king of Leinster (Laigin) was M—enach macMuiredach Sn’the O'Bairrche, King of Leinster.

Through Cathair Mor's son, Daire Barrach, is claimed to descend the U’ Bairrche (e.g. O'Gorman). The original U’ Bairrche are said to be related to the Brigantes tribe of northern Britain, and that they ruled southern Leinster from the earliest centuries A.D. until their power was broken by the U’ Cheinnselaig. At that time they were split into at least two major grougs, the U’ Bairrche of northern Carlow (Ui Bairrche Maighe) and those of southern Wexford (Ui Bairrche Tire).

An early genealogy of the U’ Bairrche:

Gussan mc Muiredaig m. Meic Raith m. Gormáin m. Muircherdaig m. Donnchada m. Aeda m. Tressaig m. Luachdaib m. Gussáin m. Dunacáin m. Gormáin m. Echach m. Coibdenaig m. Máel h-Umae m. Suibne m. Domnaill m. Cormaicc m. Diarmata m. Echach Guinig m. îengussa m. Meicc Ercca m. Breccáin m. FŽicc m. Dáire Barraig m. Catha’r Máir.

The Annals cite:

For 465/79, Crimhthann, son of Enda Censelach, King of Leinster, was killed by the son of his own daughter, i.e. Eochaidh Guineach, one of the Ui Bairrche.

For 854, Faelchadh, son of Forbhasach, lord of Ui Bairrche Maighe, died.

For 856, Cearnach, son of Cinaeth, lord of Ui Bairrche Tire, died.

For 866, Conn, son of Cinaedh, lord of Ui Bairrchi Tire, was slain while demolishing the fortress of the foreigners.

For 867, Cian, son of Cumasgach, lord of Ui Bairrchi Tire, died.

For 884, Treasach, son of Becan, chief of Ui Bairche Maighe, was slain by Aedh, son of Ilguine.

For 885, The mortal wounding of Maelchertaigh, son of Fiachra, lord of Ui Bairche.

For 886, Gormacan, son of Flann, chief of Ui Bairrche Tire, died.

For 896, Dubhlachtna, son of Ceirine, lord of Ui Bairrche, died.

For 906, Aedh, mac Duibhghiolla, tighearna Ua n-Dr—na na t-Tr’ Maighe, tanaisi Ua c-Ceinnselaigh, do mharbhadh la h-Uibh Bairrche.

For 1042, Dondchadh mac Aeda, r’ h-Ua m-Bairrche.

For 1042, Mac Craith mac Gormain maic Tresaig ri H-ua m-Bairrche.

Gorman is a common name in all of the provinces of Ireland and in Ulster it is most common in counties Monaghan and Antrim. In Ireland generally it is one of the names that has responded to the Gaelic revivals by resuming the 'O' prefix. Whereas in 1890 O'Gorman was outnumbered by six to one by Gorman, the name with the prefix is now in the majority. However, in Gaelic Ireland Gorman was a "Mac" name, Mac Gormain (from gorm, meaning 'blue'). It is thought the mistake began in the eighteenth century when Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman, 1725-1808, who, as an expert on Irish pedigrees should have known better, assumed the "O". The original sept was from Slievemargy, near Carlow, but was driven out by the Norman Preston family and settled in counties Clare and Monaghan.

The form MacGorman is still found in Co. Monaghan and the importance of the name there is remembered in the placenames Fartagorman near Bellatrain, Killygorman in Killeevan, and Lisdungorman in Clontibret. There is also a Rathgorman in Co. Down. Peadar Livingstone, in The Fermanagh Story, claims that the Gormans who were erenaghs of Callowhill in that county were originally O Gormain and so a few at least of the present-day O'Gormans may be correctly named. Some Gormans in Ulster were originally Gormleys, an entirely separate name.

Most Gormans are thought to have originally spelled the name as Mac Gorman, but the Mac prefix has been widely dropped from the name. Many MacGormans who became simply "Gorman", later added an "O" back onto the name instead of the "Mac", thus becoming O'Gorman. The two names may be one in the same! The family is anciently found in the barony of Slievemargy, near Carlow in Leix (Queens County). Forced from their homeland with the coming of the Norman invasions, they moved into Monaghan where the "MacGorman" spelling was often used. They were also in Clare, in the barony of Ibracken, where most O'Gormans are found today. Keating's History gives the family as chiefs of territory comprising parts of the baronies of Moyarta and Ibracken in Clare. This branch of the family served as hereditary marshals to the O'Briens and held considerable lands in Clare. The place name of Gormanstown or Gormanston, is common, for it can be found in Meath, Westmeath, Wicklow, Limerick, Tipperary and Dublin. O'Dugan and O'Heerin give O'Gorman or MacGorman as chiefs in Queens County (Leix) and speak thus of them: "MacGorman of great valour, Rules over the fair U’ Barchi... of the melodious race of Dari Barach, O'Gorman took possession of the lands, A chief who actively rushed to battle" In the 17th century Gorman was a principal name in Clare, and found in Dublin, and O'Gorman was a principal name of Armagh. McGormon was as a principal of Monaghan, and in Louth. In 1890, "O'Gorman" is found mainly in Clare.

GORMAN LANDS
The MacGorman (MacGormain) were lords of the Ui Bairrche, who were originally from South Wexford, in the baronies of Forth and Bargy, but they were driven from this territory by the Laigin of Ui Ceinnsealaigh (Kinsella?), and the main body settled among their allies among the northern Laigin, mainly in the area of the barony of Slievemargy in the southeastern corner of Leix and the adjoining portions of Carlow and Kilkenny.
Probably in the 9th century, they were driven from this territory, most likely because of the Viking (Norman) invasions, which began around 795 A.D. Until this time, Irish society was largely decentralized - there were no cities to speak of, and even Tara would have been considered a small town by today's standards. Trading was done at fairs, generally held on regularly scheduled days at major crossroads or the like. The Christian church was also largely decentralized as well, being centered around various monasteries scattered throughout the countryside. Perhaps this explains why we have so many chiefs (or lords) in our history. Most of the early Irish cities were the ports established by the Vikings, who used them as bases for raids inland: Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Limerick, to name a few. In this era, the Gorman clan or sept split into two groups, and the main group settled in Monaghan and Clare. The Clare branch became very numerous, and their chiefs became the hereditary field marshalls of the O'Briens. Another group made their way to Meath where, in later years, they built Caislean MacGormain from which Gormanstown takes its' name.
The Vikings would later be driven out when the Irish, united under Brien Boru (from whom the O'Briens are descended), defeated them at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Boru died in this battle, no doubt with many MacGormans at his side. Ireland enjoyed a brief period of relative peace before the next invasion. During this era, one of the Clare branch, Finn MacGorman, was Bishop of Kildare from 1148 to 1160, and directed the compilation of the Book of Leinster, one of the most valuable ancient Irish historical manuscripts surviving today. The Meath branch of the sept produced the celebrated martyrologist Maelmuire (Marian) O'Gorman, who was Abbot of Knock (Cnoc-na-napstol), near Louth, and in 1171 composed a calendar generally known as the Calendar of Marianus.

The MacGorman (MacGormain) were lords of the Ui Bairrche, who were originally from South Wexford, in the baronies of Forth and Bargy, but they were driven from this territory by the Laigin of Ui Ceinnsealaigh (Kinsella?), and the main body settled among their allies among the northern Laigin, mainly in the area of the barony of Slievemargy in the southeastern corner of Leix and the adjoining portions of Carlow and Kilkenny.

Probably in the 9th century, they were driven from this territory, most likely because of the Viking (Norman) invasions, which began around 795 A.D. Until this time, Irish society was largely decentralized - there were no cities to speak of, and even Tara would have been considered a small town by today's standards. Trading was done at fairs, generally held on regularly scheduled days at major crossroads or the like. The Christian church was also largely decentralized as well, being centered around various monasteries scattered throughout the countryside. Perhaps this explains why we have so many chiefs (or lords) in our history. Most of the early Irish cities were the ports established by the Vikings, who used them as bases for raids inland: Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Limerick, to name a few. In this era, the Gorman clan or sept split into two groups, and the main group settled in Monaghan and Clare. The Clare branch became very numerous, and their chiefs became the hereditary field marshalls of the O'Briens. Another group made their way to Meath where, in later years, they built Caislean MacGormain from which Gormanstown takes its' name.

The Vikings would later be driven out when the Irish, united under Brien Boru (from whom the O'Briens are descended), defeated them at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Boru died in this battle, no doubt with many MacGormans at his side. Ireland enjoyed a brief period of relative peace before the next invasion. During this era, one of the Clare branch, Finn MacGorman, was Bishop of Kildare from 1148 to 1160, and directed the compilation of the Book of Leinster, one of the most valuable ancient Irish historical manuscripts surviving today. The Meath branch of the sept produced the celebrated martyrologist Maelmuire (Marian) O'Gorman, who was Abbot of Knock (Cnoc-na-napstol), near Louth, and in 1171 composed a calendar generally known as the Calendar of Marianus.

OUR EARLY GORMANS
The exact origins of our Gormans are not known. The earliest records I have been able to document pertain to a Peter Gorman. Peter appears on the 1851 UK Census. At that time he lived at Carrodus Square, Keighley, Yorkshire. He was 65 and was born ± 1786 in Ireland, but the county and village of his birth are unknown. He was married but his wife was still living in Ireland. Sadly, her name is not known at this time. During the 1851 UK Census, Peter was a lodger and was employed as a gardener. His unmarried son (grandson?), Stephen Gorman, 18, also born in Ireland, was a laborer and lodged with him during the 1851 UK Census. Undoubtedly, Peter and Stephen Gorman went to England for work during the famine years. Stephen Gorman, the son or grandson of Peter Gorman, was also born in Ireland ±1833, perhaps in the village of Nobber (au Nobair), County Meath. This village is just about due west across the Irish Channel from the Wigan/Liverpool area, i.e., the shortest hop possible. The Gorman family may be associated with the Matthews and Daly families of that village. As we will see later, George Daly was the best man at the marriage of Stephen Gorman's son Michael Gorman (1853-1878) to Margaret Doran on 7 November 1875 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Wigan, Lancashire, England. There is also a Peter Gorman who appears on the list of 1796 Flax Growers of Ireland in County Meath. This Peter Gorman may be the father of the above Peter Gorman who appears on the 1851 UK Census: Gorman Peter Monknewtown Meath Gorman Thomas Monknewtown Meath The major problem with identifying Peter Gorman as the grandfather of Michael Gorman (1853-1878) is this: the Irish naming pattern is not continued. In fact, there is no other recorded Peter Gorman in subsequent families. I simply include him here as a possibility until further research indicates otherwise.

MICHAEL GORMAN: OUR EARLIEST VERIFIED GORMAN ANCESTOR

1853 - 3 MARCH 1878

Our first recorded and verified ancestor is Michael Gorman (1853-1878). We do not know for sure where he was born, but we do know his father's name was Stephen, a laborer. Michael gave his father's name as Stephen on his marriage record.

Here are the verified facts:

1. Michael Gorman was, most likely, born in Ireland (The Irish Free State). His son, Stephen, reported this information on the 1930 US Census. If thihs information is correct, the best guess is that he was born in Ireland ±1833, perhaps in the village of Nobber (au Nobair), County Meath as I mentioned above. I am busy researching leads to establish where and when the Gorman family left Ireland for England. All we can say with some certainty is that they left Ireland sometime between the late 1830s and early 1840s, most likely arrived in Liverpool, and then made their way eventually to Wigan, before they finally went to Rhode Island in 1905. However, Stephen also reported on the 1910 and 1920 US Census that his father, Michael, was born in England! So much for consistency!

2. Michael Gorman appears on the 1871 UK Census

3. Michael Gorman of Queens Hotel Yard, Walgate, Wigan, age 23, bachelor, coal miner, son of Stephen Gorman, laborer, married Margaret Doran of Miry Lane, Wigan, age 24, spinster, cotton factory worker, daughter of Michael Doran, colliery laborer on 7 November 1875 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The ceremony was performed by certificate by Rev. Henry Lamon and the witness for the groom was George Daly and the witness for the bride was her sister, Alice Doran.

4. Michael Gorman, age 25, coal miner, died at the Union Wigan Workhouse on 3 March 1878 of typhoid fever.

4. At the time of his death Michael Gorman lived at 32 Victoria Street, Wigan.

The birth and short life of Michael Gorman:

On the outside chance that Michael Gorman was born somewhere in Lancashire County, England ± 1853, and not in Ireland, as his son Stephen reported on the 1930 US Census, I am including this information:

There are no births recorded in Wigan for a Michael Gorman from 1848-1858 (ie. 1853 +/-5 years). However, there are two births for a Michael Gorman near Wigan and they are recorded in Ashton. Ashton is an alternative name for Ashton-under-Lyne and it spans the boundaries of the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire:

Births Sep 1851
Surname Given Name District Volume Page
Gorman Michael Ashton XX 67
Births Sep 1855
Surname Given Name District Volume Page
Gorman Michael Ashton 8d 352

There is also one birth for a Michael Gorman recorded in Liverpool in 1852, one in 1853, and two births in 1855. If Michael died on 3 March 1878 at the age of 25, according to his death record, then he was most likely the one born in 1853 in Liverpool.

The 1871 UK Census shows a Michael Gorman, age 18, born in 1853 and living in Liverpool. This could be the family of our Michael Gorman: RG10/3762/F? CD1 R10_3762.pdf p. 211. The big problem with this family is that the father's name is Patrick, not Stephen. I simply include this family here for reference until all connections are ruled out.

Gorman, Patrick, 62
Liverpool, St Martin

Gorman, Bridget, 51
Liverpool, St Martin

Gorman, James, 29
Liverpool, St Martin

Gorman, Patrick, 24
Liverpool, St Martin

Gorman, Michael, 18
Liverpool, St Martin

Gorman, Catherine, 16
Liverpool, St Martin

Gorman, Thomas, 13
Liverpool, St Martin

My Internet friend, Ann Welding, sent this interesting email to me 26 Jan 2007:

Bill,

I found the record of the death of Michael Gorman in Wigan Q1 1878 in the BMD records. The record says he was born circa 1853: www.freebmd.org.uk

I have searched the 1871 census & found 9 individuals in England, with the name Michael Gorman born between 1848 & 1858 (ie. 1853 +/-5 years)

1. Michael Gorman abt 1858 Birkenhead, Cheshire, England Boarder Birkenhead Cheshire
2. Michael Gorman Catharine abt 1858 St Werburgh, Derbyshire, England Son All Saints Derbyshire
3. Michael Gorman James abt 1848 Tuam, Ireland Head Glossop Derbyshire
4. Michael Gorman abt 1851 Derbyshire, England Boarder St Michael Derbyshire
5. Michael Gorman John, Mary abt 1858 Fowlaw, Durham, England Son Cornforth Durham
6. Michael Gorman Maurace, Ann abt 1856 Chesterfield Son All Souls Lancashire
7. Michael Gorman James O, Jane abt 1857 Bolton, Lancashire, England Son Little Bolton Lancashire
8. Michael Gorman abt 1857 Durham, England Granddaughter (should be grandson) Salford Lancashire
9. Michael Gorman abt 1849 Waterford, Ireland Boarder Salford Lancashire

If he is amongst these, my money would be on one of the Irish boys. I've not checked them all, but the one in All Saints, Derbyshire, could be a possibility, his mother was born in Ireland. Also the one born 1851 in Derbyshire, his mother was also born in Ireland.

It could be that he isn't one of these, he might not be in England in 1871, or his name could have been mis-spelled or mistranscribed. [In fact it was ... Gorman sometimes shows up as Garman or Garmon or even German! and we know Stephen Gorman (1878-1930) was registered as Michael Gorman (in honor of his father who died the year he was born) but later called himself Stephen Gorman (after his grandfather, following the Irish naming pattern).] I'm afraid you will need a marriage cert to find his father's name, as he was married to Margaret Doran in the Registry Office.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Anne

Michael Gorman may be one of the 9 Michael Gormans listed above. But which one? And where was he born in Ireland? To this date all the public records simply state "born in Ireland". They nowhere indicate a place of origin in Ireland. Sad.

The marriage certificate of MARGARET DORAN and MICHAEL GORMAN reads:

"Married (7 November 1875) in the St. Joseph's Church, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Catholic Church

by Certificate by Henry J. Lamon.

Witnesses George Daly and Alice Doran.

James Jolley, Registrar."

St. Joseph's Catholic Church is on Caroline Street which lies between Wallgate and Chapel Lane, which is the continuation of Poolstock. Its equivalent Church of England was St. Thomas, which is now merged with St. James, Poolstock. St. Thomas was demolished, but St. Joseph's still stands with a prominent statue of the saint on its north wall. It's future fate is unknown.

Michael Gorman signed his own name and Margaret Doran signed with her "X".
George Daly signed his own name and Alice Doran signed with her "X".

Michael Gorman was 23, Bachelor, Coal Miner, residence: Queens Hotel Yard, Wallgate, Wigan. Father: Stephen Gorman, Laborer
Margaret Doran was 24, Spinster, Cotton Factory Worker, residence: Miry Lane, Wigan. Father: Michael Doran, Colliery Laborer

The marriage record of Michael Gorman and Margaret Doran can be found in the GRO (General Register Office) Index:

Marriages Dec 1875
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Gorman Michael Wigan 8c 152

The marriage of Michael Gorman and Margaret Doran can also be found at the Wigan & Leigh Register: ROW/41/198:

Lancashire Marriage indexes for the years: 1875
Surname GORMAN
Forename(s) MICHAEL
Surname DORAN
Forename(s) MARGARET
Church / Register Office Wigan, Register Office or Registrar Attended
Registers At Wigan & Leigh
Reference ROW/41/198

Michael Gorman died on 3 March 1878 of typhoid fever at the Union Workhouse in Wigan. He was only 25 and a coal miner. Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. Common worldwide, it is transmitted by ingestion of food or water contaminated with feces from an infected person. The bacteria then multiply in the blood stream of the infected person and are absorbed into the digestive tract and eliminated with the waste.

At the Union Workouse in Wigan, Michael Gorman gave his residence as 22 Victoria Street, Wigan. At that time Victoria Street was located in Wigan at Location #117 in the area known as Wallgate. Wallgate is/was one of the major roads going through Wigan town centre. Victoria Steet met Wallgate next to where the building or house numbered 117 was situated.

His wife, Margaret Doran-Gorman, signed the death certificate, No. 442, with her "X" and it was registered 4 March 1878 by Robert Halliwell, Registrar.

Surname: Gorman
Given Name: Michael
Age: 25
District: Wigan
Volume 8c
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