☘️ The Ancestral Home for 31.5 Million Irish-Americans
☘️
American.irish
⚓ County Antrim · Operational Era: 1840s–1960s
← All 8 Departure Ports

Port of Belfast

The maritime threshold where ancestral generations boarded vessels for the perilous transatlantic journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.

Volume & Scope 850,000+ Emigrants
Feeder Hinterland 3 Irish Counties
Key American Terminals Glasgow (transit) · Liverpool (transit) · New York, NY · Philadelphia, PA · Montreal

Historical Significance & Maritime Operations

The Port of Belfast, located at the head of Belfast Lough, transformed in the nineteenth century from a modest trade harbor into one of the greatest shipbuilding and industrial seaports on Earth.

While Belfast was renowned for heavy manufacturing and the Harland & Wolff shipyards, it also served as a major conduit for emigrants departing Antrim and Down. Many passengers boarded cross-channel steamers to Glasgow and Liverpool, connecting to transatlantic vessels destined for New York, Philadelphia, and Canadian ports.

Clans Departing from Port of Belfast

14 Family Names

Families originating in the hinterland counties served directly by the passenger lines of Port of Belfast.

Clan Heritage Co. Antrim

Johnston

Mac Seáin
Meaning: "Son of John"
"Nunquam non paratus"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Armagh

MacCann

Mac Canna
Meaning: "Son of the Wolf-Cub"
"Fortis et hospitalis"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Down

MacCartan

Mac Artáin
Meaning: "Son of Little Art (Stone / Bear)"
"Fortitudine et virtute"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Antrim

MacCormick

Mac Cormaic
Meaning: "Son of the Charioteer"
"Sine timore"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Antrim

MacNeill

Mac Néill
Meaning: "Son of Niall (Champion)"
"Vincere aut mori"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Down

MacPoland

Mac Phóil
Meaning: "Son of Paul"
"Veritas vincit"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Antrim

MacQuillan

Mac Uighilín
Meaning: "Son of Little Hughe"
"Vince aut morere"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Antrim

Neeson

Mac Aonghusa
Meaning: "Son of Angus (One Strength)"
"Fortis et fidelis"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Armagh

O'Hanlon

Ó hAnluain
Meaning: "Great Champion"
"Sunt mihi sidera testes"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Down

O'Hanna

Ó hAnnaidh
Meaning: "Graceful Chieftain"
"Per ardua ad alta"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Armagh

O'Hare

Ó hÍr
Meaning: "Angry or Fierce"
"Pro aris et focis"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Down

O'Lowry

Ó Labhradha
Meaning: "The Spokesman or Herald"
"Virtus semper viridis"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Antrim

O'Magee

Mac Aodha
Meaning: "Son of Fire"
"Fac et spera"
Origin & Hubs →
Clan Heritage Co. Down

Rooney

Ó Maolruanaidh
Meaning: "Descendant of the Red-haired Hero"
"Virtute et claritate"
Origin & Hubs →

Feeder Counties Served

Emigrants from these counties commonly journeyed to Port of Belfast to board transatlantic vessels:

Primary Transatlantic Terminals

  • ⚓ Glasgow (transit)
  • ⚓ Liverpool (transit)
  • ⚓ New York, NY
  • ⚓ Philadelphia, PA
  • ⚓ Montreal

Port Archives & Maritime Records