McKeon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the McKeon family came to North America quite early:

McKeon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Alexander McKeon, aged 20, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 3
• Ann McKeon, aged 24, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 3
• William McKeon, aged 23, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 3
• Felix McKeon, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1812 3
• Pat McKeon, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1812 3
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKeon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mr. John McKeon, aged 30 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfville" departing 25th April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 4
• Mr. Patrick McKeon, aged 26 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfville" departing 25th April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 4

McKeon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John McKeon, Irish convict who was convicted in Meath, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
• Mr. John McKeon, Irish reaper who was convicted in Meath, Ireland, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
• Miss Catherine Mckeon, (Echlin), (b. 1800), aged 18, Irish silk winder who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for house robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
• Mr. Owen Mckeon, (Mcowen), Irish labourer who was convicted in Kidare, Ireland for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 3rd September 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mrs. Frances Mckeon, (b. 1797), aged 40, Irish house servant who was convicted in Dundalk, Louth, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 3 children 8
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKeon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Jane McKeon, aged 17, a housemaid, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880
• Miss Jane McKeon, (b. 1865), aged 20, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Aorangi" arriving in Invercargill, New Zealand on 25th June 1885 9

• Philip Anthony McKeon (1964-2019), American child actor, best known for his role as Tommy Hyatt, on the sitcom Alice from 1976 to 1985
• Nancy McKeon (b. 1966), American actress, known for her role as Jo Polniaczek on the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life
• Howard McKeon (b. 1938), American politician, U.S. Representative for California's 25th congressional district, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee
• Larry McKeon (1944-2008), American politician, member of the Illinois House of Representatives from Chicago
• John F. McKeon (b. 1958), American Democratic Party politician
• Matt McKeon (b. 1974), American soccer player
• Lindsey McKeon (b. 1982), two-time Daytime Emmy-nominated American actress
• Jack McKeon, American Major League Baseball manager
• Richard McKeon (1900-1985), American philosopher
• Philip McKeon (b. 1964), American actor, brother of Nancy McKeon
• ... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)