Surname Donoghoe - Meaning and Origin

Donoghoe: What does the surname Donoghoe mean?

The last name Donoghoe is of Irish origin, and is derived from the Irish Gaelic Ó Donnchadha (meaning descendant or grandson of Donnchadh). This name is commonly found in County Kerry, though it has also been anglicized to Donohoe, Donogue, and other variants. The Gaelic root of the name Donoghoe is Donnchadh, meaning “brown warrior”; the associated clan was traditionally known as warriors of both physical and mental courage. Moreover, they were reputed to be skilled huntsmen.

Today, the surname is still most commonly associated with County Kerry and the surrounding counties in the south of Ireland. Though not especially numerous, the name Donoghoe is a prominent one in the county's sporting and public life, as seen in the many athletes, businessmen, and politicians bearing the name over the years.

In short, the last name Donoghoe is a proud and time-honored name that offers a direct link to the proud people of Kerry, Ireland. It embodies a strong warrior spirit, and a long and proud tradition of public service and physical prowess.

Donoghoe: Where does the name Donoghoe come from?

The last name Donoghoe is of Irish origin, meaning descendant of Donough. Although it is quite rare today, it can be found in both Ireland and Scotland.

In Ireland, the surname is particularly associated with Cork, Leitrim, Mayo, and Roscommon counties. In Scotland, it is most prevalent in Edinburgh and Midlothian/East Lothian. Most people of Donoghoe descent in Scotland can trace their ancestry back to Irish immigrants.

As of 2014, the Donoghoe surname is among the top 80,000 surnames in the United Kingdom and Ireland, suggesting its rarity. It is estimated that there are around 1,300 bearers of the surname Donoghoe alive today.

Beyond Britain and Ireland, the surname is found in scattered parts of the English-speaking world, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is believed to be found most often among descendants of Irish immigrants who emigrated to the United States during the 19th century, many of whom settled in Pennsylvania and New York.

Today, the Donoghoe name persists as a reminder of the past, with long-standing historical ties to Britain, Ireland, and their former colonies.

Variations of the surname Donoghoe

The surname Donoghoe is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Irish name O'Donnchadha/O'Donehoe/O'Donghadhain, referring to a descendant of Donnchadh, a personal name derived from Irish Donn meaning "brown-haired" or "chief" and Cath meaning "battle". It can be found in forms including Donoghue, Donoughue, Doneghoe, Donohoe, Donoho, Donahue, Donahoe, Donahough, Donogho, Donogh, Donoghue, Donoghu, Donnahoo, Donnahoo, Donnauhugh, Donnaugh, Donough, and Dono. The Donoghoe spelling can also be found in the variant spellings Dongue, Donahough, Donohue, Donough, and Donnahue.

In some countries it is also known as Dönig, Denig, Denhoff, Denhoven, Donich, Donagheu, Donbothe, Donohue, Donnauhughe, Donno, Donogues, Dunky, and Donik. In addition to Ireland, the surname is found in England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Australia, and the United States. It is also common in Scotland where its variant spellings appear in records dating back to the 14th century.

An anglicized version of Donoghoe may also be seen in the surnames O'Hanlon, O'Hanlonne, and Hanlon. These variants suggest a family origin in O'Hanlon, which is an Irish Gaelic name which refers to descendants of Einri O'Hanlon, or Henry O'Hanlon, of the Ulster province of Ireland.

When researching ancestors named Donoghoe, it is important to also look for variant spellings, as these can often provide key pieces of evidence for building a family tree. By broadly searching the range of spellings and locations associated with the name, researchers will be able to accurately determine the origin of the Donoghoe surname.

Famous people with the name Donoghoe

• Aidan Donoghoe: Irish actor, best known for playing the lead character “Conor”, in the 2018 Irish movie entitled “Showgrounds”.
• Nick Donoghoe: British television actor, known for his roles in British TV shows like, Footballer Wives, Holby City, and Snatch.
• Beulah Donoghoe: Irish author, best known for her novels "The Dark Before the Dawn", and "What About Alison?".
• Clare Donoghoe: British restaurateur, famous for her sustainable seafood restaurants in London, known as The Neptune.
• Ewan Donoghoe: British artist, known for his sculptures, representing the nature of urban spaces.
• Paul Donoghoe: Irish lawyer, specializing in corporate and securities law.
• Tim Donoghoe: British political strategist, known as the “Go-To Guy” for the Labour Party.
• Art Donoghoe: American comedian, known for his stand-up comedy shows on Netflix and Comedy Central.
• John Donoghoe: Irish historian, specializing in medieval Irish history and literature.
• Alicia Donoghoe: American businesswoman, founder of the fashion brand “Donoghoe Designs”.

Other surnames

DonoghowDonoghue