Global Presence of Freemasonry — Origins and Illustrations
Introduction - How Freemasonry Became Global
Modern Freemasonry, as an organised fraternity, begins with the constitution of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 and thereafter spread outward by maritime trade routes, colonial settlement, civilian and military officers, merchants, and expatriate communities. As the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland (and later continental obediences) issued warrants, consecrated lodges, or sponsored provincial jurisdictions, local Grand Lodges were gradually formed — often after a period in which lodges in a country or territory worked under one or more foreign constitutions. The following entries record the origin of the principal Grand Lodges whose activity most directly shaped the global distribution of the Craft. (Each origin note below is followed by a source citation.)Principal Grand Lodges and their origins
United Grand Lodge of England (historically: Premier Grand Lodge of England)
Founded 24 June 1717 (London)
Four London lodges met at the Goose and Gridiron tavern on St John’s Day (24 June) and constituted themselves as a Grand Lodge; this act is conventionally accepted as the formal beginning of organised modern Freemasonry.
Grand Lodge of Ireland — Celebrated from 1725 (Dublin)
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is generally dated to 1725 (the first recorded Grand Lodge meeting in Dublin appears in contemporary press for 26 June 1725). It is recognised as the second most senior Grand Lodge in continuous existence.
Grand Lodge of Scotland — Founded 1736 (Edinburgh)
Scottish lodges formed a national Grand Lodge in 1736; a significant proportion of Scotland’s lodges were represented at that foundation meeting. Scottish Freemasonry’s separate development and ritual traditions were central to the Craft’s character in the British Isles and overseas.
Grand Orient / Grand Lodge traditions in France
Early deputies and national formation in the 1730s; Grand Orient as an organised French body emerged in the mid-18th century (dates commonly cited: 1733 onward; Grand Orient name consolidated later).
French Masonic organisation developed in the 1730s through deputisations from London; the Grand Orient later became the principal national obedience in France (commonly dated to mid-18th century developments and later reorganisations).
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (USA) — Provincial Grand Lodge activity dated 1731
In North America, provincial deputations by English Grand Lodge appear from 1730–1731; Pennsylvania claims continuous Grand Lodge origin from 1731 with early deputations such as that of Daniel Coxe and subsequent Provincial Grand Masters. These early provincial authorities enabled lodges across the colonies to operate with formal warrants.
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (USA) — Established 1733 (Boston)
New England lodges secured a provincial warrant and the St. John’s Provincial Grand Lodge is conventionally dated to 1733, making Massachusetts among the earliest American Grand Lodge jurisdictions.
Grand Lodge of New York (USA) — Founded 15 December 1782 (New York City)
As the American states matured after independence, state Grand Lodges were constituted; New York’s Grand Lodge dates to December 1782 and thereafter coordinated Masonic activity in the state.
Grand Lodge of India — Constituted 24 November 1961 (New Delhi); earlier lodge activity dates to the 18th century
Freemasonry was active in India from the early 1700s under foreign constitutions; the sovereign Grand Lodge of India was formally consecrated at New Delhi on 24 November 1961 when many Indian lodges transferred allegiance from English, Irish or Scottish constitutions to a national jurisdiction.
Grand Lodge of South Africa (Grand Lodge of Southern Africa) — Formed 22 April 1961 (Cape Town) — later known as Grand Lodge of South Africa
Multiple European constitutions had lodges in southern Africa from the 18th and 19th centuries; local brethren formed a national Grand Lodge in 1961, consolidating Masonic governance for the region.
Other national and regional Grand Lodges (representative examples)
- Netherlands (Grand Lodge National of the Netherlands) — early Dutch lodges and a national organisation appear in the 18th century (Dutch lodges such as The Hague were active from the 1730s; formal national structures followed).
- Canada, Australia, New Zealand — Provincial lodges under English, Irish or Scottish constitutions became independent Grand Lodges in the 19th and early 20th centuries as settler communities grew (for example, Grand Lodges in Canadian provinces and Australian states were formed at different times, typically in the 1800s). (See country-level grand lodge histories for precise founding dates.)
Note: the pattern repeated worldwide — lodges appear first under the warrant of a parent Grand Lodge (England, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, France), then once local Masonic activity matured a national Grand Lodge was formed. This is why local foundation dates vary widely and why some national Grand Lodges (for example in former colonies) have origins as late as the mid-20th century despite local lodges working from the 18th or 19th centuries.