Origins of my Branch of the Early Family
The surname Early in Ireland originates from the medevil Irish name O,Maolmocherirge or Mocheirge meaning early riser. Mocheirge is believed to have been an Irish Medevil Chieftain in the 12th Century.  The name has was anglised following the arrival of the English..  This surname was then and still is most common in the County's of Mayo, Sligo and Rosscommon.
A point to note that as a general rule the majority of Early's in the North-East of England are of Irish decent.  However the Early families found in the south of England are generally decendants belonging to the family in Sommerset who have lived in the area for many 100's of years,  their origins are thought to be Norman.
Many of our Irish ancestors were sadly forced from their homeland during The Great Famine of the mid 1840's.  During this period, from 1847 until 1851, Millions of Irish sold their land hoping to raise enough money  to pay for passage to the New World (America) or for the less fortunate a shorter passage to England.  Thousands headed for England believing they would be provided with a job and a means of raising enough money to continue their journey to the USA.  The reality, however, was different, most never made it and ended up working long hours in the coal mines, cotton mills and steel works in the north of England spread from Merseyside accross to Durham.  The money was poor and conditions were terrible with large families cramed into tiny back to back houses.  Not surprisingly many perished from Typhoid, Cholera and other diseases which were a direct result of over crowding and poor sanatation.
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