Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) 10-K 2016 FY Annual report

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements(Form S-8,No. 333-87320 and Form S-8,No. 333-106535) pertaining to the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 1988 Nonqualified and Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plans, in the Registration Statement (FormS-8,No. 333-106539) pertaining to the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Restricted Stock Plan, in the Registration Statement (FormS-8,No. 333-174497) pertaining to the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, in the Registration Statement (FormS-8,No. 333-197898) pertaining to the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, Deferred Equity Participation Plan, Deferred Cash Participation Plan and Supplemental Savings and Thrift Plan, in the Registration Statement (FormS-8,No. 333-204976) pertaining to the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and in the Registration Statements(Form S-3,No. 333-214616,Form S-4,No. 333-203203 andForm S-4,No. 333-214617), of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and in the related Prospectuses, of our reports dated February 10, 2017, with respect the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., included in this Annual Report(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2016.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

February 10, 2017