The Gibbon Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 11. Plate 3.)

THE McGibbon family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heremon. The founder of the family was Muiredach, or Mulrooney Mullethan, King of Connaught in the seventh century and of the line of Duach Galach, first Christian King of Connaught. The ancient name was Giobach and signifies “Rough.” The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Mayo.

Families of this name, of Norman origin, settled in the County of Cork, and a branch of the Burkes, who assumed the name McGibbon from one of their ancestors, resided in Mayo. A distinguished member of this family was Lieutenant Gibbons of Dillon’s Battalion, Irish Brigade, France. One of its most illustrious descendants is Cardinal Gibbons, the eminent American prelate.

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