A total of eight Irish signers
At least two additional signers of the Declaration of Independence claim roots in Ireland:
Charles Carroll, born into a wealthy Maryland family tracing its roots to County Offaly, was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration. Because of his faith, Carroll was legally barred from voting or holding office. He risked his immense wealth to support the Revolution. He’d outlived all other signers when he died in 1832 at age 95.
Born in South Carolina to ancestors who likely emigrated from County Galway, Thomas Lynch Jr. was a brilliant young lawyer and the second-youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence at age 27. He entered the Continental Congress to support his ailing father, making them the only father-son duo to serve together.
If you combine the three Irish-born signers[1] with the those of direct Irish descent (whose parents or grandparents immigrated from Ireland)[2], the total comes to eight men with Irish roots who signed the Declaration of Independence.
[1] Blog posted 26 Jun 2026
[2] Blog posted 29 Jun 2026