Surname Dougherty - Meaning and Origin

The Surprising Turns of My DNA Journey: Dismantling the Celtic Myths About Dougherty

I ventured into this genetic journey with a sense of curiosity, eager to uncover the roots tied to my surname Dougherty. Yet, what I discovered was far beyond what I had anticipated. My DNA story unfolded not just a heritage rich in Irish blood and Gaelic resilience, but also threads of unexpected ancestry that reshaped my understanding of my past.

J. Dougherty

Dougherty: What does the surname Dougherty mean?

Dougherty is an Irish surname that originated from the Gaelic name "O'Dochartaigh," which means "descendant of Dochartach." The name "Dochartach" itself is derived from the Gaelic words "dochartach," meaning "hurtful" or "obstructive." Therefore, the surname can be interpreted as "descendant of the hurtful or obstructive one." The early form of the name was largely found in the region of Ulster, specifically in the county of Donegal in Northwestern Ireland. Over time, the spelling of the name changed with various transcriptions, including Doherty, Dority, and others as Irish families emigrated to other countries. Despite its somewhat negative literal meaning, many bearing the surname Dougherty have excelled in various fields such as politics, literature, sports, and entertainment.

Dougherty: Where does the name Dougherty come from?

The surname Dougherty originates from the Irish-Gaelic name Ó Dochartaigh, which means "descendant of Dochartach", with Dochartach being a personal name meaning "harmful" or "obstructive." This name was first found in County Donegal, where the family held a family seat from ancient times.

Today, the surname Dougherty is quite common in Ireland, especially in its region of origin, County Donegal. However, due to the large Irish diaspora, the name has spread worldwide and can be found in significant numbers in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where many Irish people emigrated throughout history. In the United States, it is notably common in states with a high Irish-American population, such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Variations of the surname Dougherty

The surname Dougherty has Irish roots and it has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin due to phonetic pronunciation and regional differences. Variations include Doherty, Docherty, Daugherty, O'Dochartaigh, Dogherty, Dority, Doharty, and Doughterty. These deviations primarily occurred when families emigrated from Ireland during times such as the Great Famine, leading to Anglicized versions of the original Gaelic name "O’Dochartaigh", which means obstructive or hurtful.

Each variant of Dougherty has a unique nuance, mostly pronounced and spelled differently in locations around the globe. For instance, in Scotland, Docherty and Doherty are commonly used, while in America, Daugherty is more prevalent. Some families use the O'Dougherty or O’Doherty spelling to emphasize their Irish heritage.

Additionally, there are some less common variants for the surname Dougherty, such as Dorcherty, Dogherty, Dority, McAteer and even Dorrity. Therefore, when tracing genealogical roots, it's beneficial to consider all possible variations of the surname Dougherty.

Famous people with the name Dougherty

• Shannen Doherty: An American actress, producer, and television director. She is known for her roles in "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed."
• Thomas E. Dougherty: A former United States Ambassador to Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic.
• Robert L. Dougherty: An American businessman, a co-founder of Dougherty, Lienhart, and Straw, Inc., a large Christian printing corporation.
• Terry Dougherty: An American trial lawyer, particularly known for his work in criminal defense.
• Patrick Dougherty: An American sculptor known for creating large-scale environmental works from tree saplings.
• Fergus Michael Claude Bowes-Lyon: 17th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, commonly known as Michael Fergus Bowes-Lyon or simply Michael Strathmore. He took the additional surname of Dougherty in 1987.
• Trish Dougherty: A professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour.
• John Dougherty: A former American labor leader. He was the head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 in Philadelphia.
• William Dougherty: An American pianist and composer known for his chamber music, piano music, and songs.
• Jack Dougherty: An American silent film actor, director, screenwriter, and producer.
• Lynne Doughtie: An American businesswoman, former chairwoman and CEO of KPMG in the US.
• Lawrie Doherty: Referred to as H. L. Doherty, was a British tennis player and the younger brother of tennis player Reginald Doherty.

Other surnames

Dougher