Surname Dogherty - Meaning and Origin
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Dogherty: What does the surname Dogherty mean?
Doherty is a common Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Dochartaigh clan, meaning "descendant of Dochartach". The exact meaning of "Dochartach" is unclear, but is generally believed to combine the Gaelic elements of "dochart" meaning 'hurtful or obstructive' and a personal suffix "-ach". Therefore, the surname is thought to mean ‘hurtful’ or ‘obstructive.’ The Ó Dochartaigh clan were a powerful family in the north of Ireland, particularly in the region of Donegal where they were Lords of Inishowen. The name has been anglicized to several forms including Doherty, Dougherty, and Daugherty, each having slight pronunciation differences. Significantly, despite its possible unfavourable literal meaning, the Doherty name is celebrated in Irish history for its bearers' significant contributions to the arts, politics, sports and more.
Order DNA origin analysisDogherty: Where does the name Dogherty come from?
The surname Dogherty originates from Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Irish surname "O Dochartaigh," meaning "descendant of Dochartach." This name is commonly seen in the northern part of Ireland, specifically in County Donegal and Derry. The Dochartach clan, from which the name originates, was a powerful and influential family in Irish history particularly during the 14th to 16th centuries.
Today, the surname Dogherty, along with its different variations such as Doherty, Dougherty, and Docherty, remains common in Ireland. Many families bearing this surname can still be found in County Donegal and Derry. Additionally, due to historical immigration patterns particularly during the Great Famine in the 19th century, the surname Dogherty has also spread to other countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada. Among those countries, it is most common in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.
Variations of the surname Dogherty
The surname Dogherty has its roots in Irish heritage, originating from the Gaelic name Ó Dochartaigh, meaning "obstructive" or "hurtful". This surname underwent various spellings and adaptations over the centuries as it was Anglicized and adopted in different regions.
One of the most common variants of Dogherty is Doherty, which is widespread in Ireland, particularly in County Donegal. Dougherty is another common variation seen mostly in the United States. Docherty and Docharty are Scottish versions of this surname, primarily found in areas like Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
Doharty, Dohertey, Dokherty, and Dogherti are some other less common variants. O’Dochartaigh was a version used historically, with the prefix "O" indicating male lineage.
Each variant has been tailored to fit the phonetic and grammatical rules of different regions and periods, but all are descendants of the original Gaelic Ó Dochartaigh. In Ireland, the Doherty variant is so common that it often ranks as one of the top ten surnames in the country. No matter the spelling, all these surnames share a common Irish ancestry and signify a rich Celtic history.
Famous people with the name Dogherty
- Pete Doherty: An English musician, songwriter, actor, poet, writer, and artist. He is best known for being co-frontman of The Libertines.
- Shannen Doherty: An American actress, producer, and television director. She is known for her roles as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Prue Halliwell in Charmed.
- John Doherty: A former Irish Gaelic footballer and former manager. He played for County Donegal and was part of their 1992 All-Ireland winning team.
- Jordanne Doherty: An Australian actress best known for her role in the TV series Heartbreak High.
- Ken Doherty: An Irish professional snooker player, commentator and radio presenter. In 1997, he became World Snooker Champion.
- Dan Doherty: An English chef, author and television presenter. He was the chef-director at London's Duck & Waffle restaurant until 2018.
- Mark Doherty: An Irish actor and writer. He is best known for his film "A Film with Me in It" and several theater plays.
- Kevin Doherty: An Irish soccer manager and former professional soccer player. He manages the Drogheda United Football Club.
- Seán Doherty: A former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Justice from March 1982 to December 1982.
- Paul Doherty: A prolific British author, educator and lecturer. He is known for his series of historical mysteries. Please note, spelling variations may include Dougherty and Daugherty.