The Hennessy Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

Hennessy family crest

(Crest No. 108. Plate 14.)

THE Hennessy 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 Heodhasas, and signifies “Despair.” It was taken from Ængus, a chieftain of the clan. The possessions of the sept were located in the present Counties of Tipperary, Westmeath, Meath, and Kings County. The O’Hennessys were Chiefs of Hy-Mac-Uais, now the Barony of Moygoish, in Westmeath. The O’Hennessys were also Chiefs of Clan Colgan; this district was situated in the barony of Lower Philipstown, adjoining the conspicuous hill of Croghan, in Kings County. Another O’Hennessy is mentioned by O’Dugan as Chief of Galinga Beag (Beg), now the parish of Gallen, in the barony of Garvycastle, in the same county.

The name is still numerous in Ireland, and in the United States it is honorably represented by the Most Rev. James Hennessy, Archbishop of Dubuque, and Right Rev. Dr. Hennessy, Bishop of Wichita, Kansas. Many of this name are prominent journalists in New York City.

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