The
history of the McGinley surname (and its many variants) is a long
one in America. Our association with the state of Pennsylvania has
been strong since we first arrived. Even today, more than half of
all McGinleys in America are recorded in the state of Pennsylvania.
The next biggest concentration of the name is in the neighbouring
state of New York. Together, these two states account for more than
70% of Americas McGinleys. The first McGinleys started to arrive
in America in the early 1700’s. It is generally believed that
those who arrived prior to the early 1800’s, arrived as slaves
either directly from Britain or by way of the Carribean Islands.
We have recorded evidence of a James McGinley who arrived in Maryland
in 1774, described as a 'runaway servant'. Bryan McGinley, even
earlier, in the year of 1745 was also described as a slave when
he was recorded in Philadelphia. No doubt there were many more McGinley
slaves, probably most of them went unrecorded.
AMERICA
1725
JAMES MAGINLEY, PIONEER and LAND OWNER
b. c.1706
The
earliest recorded McGinley in America is a James MaGinley who was
born around the year 1701 in Ireland, according to family tradition
in Co Donegal. We know for sure that he was in America by the year
1726 as his name appears as a witness on a will.
AMOS
MCGINLEY – ‘The Marrying Parson’
b. 1778 - d. 1856
The noted Reverend Amos McGinley was born on the 4th March 1778,
in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John McGinley and
Jane Alexander. He was a very influential figure in the religious
life of early Pennsylvania. He was unusually for a McGinley, of
the Presbyterian faith. During his lifetime, he married over 697
couples and acquired the nickname of ‘The Marrying Parson’.
Lt.
Col. Commandant
JAMES MCGINLEY
b. 1763
Another
well known son of John McGinley and Jane Alexander was Lt Col Commandant
James McGinley. He was born in the year of 1763 in Fairfield Pennsylvania.
He was a ‘Pioneer of Tennessee’ for qualification for
the ‘First Families of Tennessee Certificate’. He was
well known and well respected in his community. He was a Revolutionary
War soldier.
Lt.
EBENEZER MCGINELY
b. 1807
Yet
another noted person of the surname McGinley, directly descended
from the early settler John McGinley, was Ebenezer McGinely (note
that his surname was at least once recorded thus). Ebenezer was
almost certainly of the Presbyterian faith like his family. His
father was James McGinley and his mother Susan Alexander. During
the American Civil War, the people of Fairfield played their part,
like the many McGinleys throughout the country who were active.
The Fairfield Zouaves were organised in August of 1861 with the
name of Ebenezer McGinely listed as a Lieutenant.
REV.
WILLIAM ANDERSON MCGINLEY
b.
1831
Son
of Hon. Joseph McGinley, William was born on the family farm in
Fairfield, February 15th 1831. Because he spent most of his life
outwith Fairfield, most people do not associate him with the Fairfield
McGinleys. He was educated at Gettysburg College and at Washington
College. He read law and was admitted to the bar at Gettysburg before
turning to religion. He graduated from Andover Theological Seminary
(Andover, Massachusetts) in 1858.
Other
early McGinley settlers in America include:
James
McGinley, died in York County, Pennsylvania in 1755.
James
McGinley had arrived in Maryland in the year 1774. Slave.
John
McGindley recorded in Butler County, Pennsylvania in 1776.
Anna
McGinly recorded in Adams County, Pennsylvania in 1797.
Eliza
McGinly recorded in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania in 1797.
A
survey in 1920 (taken from the US Government Census of 1920) indicated
the ethnic origin of those named McGinley. When asked, the following
results came out: White - 3,553, Black - 11, Mixed - 9, Unknown
- 2.
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The
above graph shows an interesting comparison between McGinleys in
America and the general American public. It can clearly be seen
that the McGinleys constantly are above average in all age groups
accept the 80 to 89 age range! (Information from Ancestry.com from
1920 US Government Census information).
