The surname "O'Doherty" is an Irish Gaelic name, derived from the Old Gaelic "Ó Dáoraidh" which translates to "descendant of Dáiredach." The name "Dáiredach" was a common personal name in pre-Christian Ireland. The O'Dohertys were originally a powerful sept, or clan, located in County Donegal. Their territory was known as Tir Conaill, and the O'Dohertys ruled this region for over 1000 years until they were displaced during the 17th-century plantations of Ulster by English settlers. The prefix "O" or "Mac" (pronounced "oh" or "mak") in Irish surnames indicates a male lineage; in this case, O'Doherty means a descendant of Dáiredach. The name is still common among the Irish and Irish diaspora worldwide.
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The surname O'Doherty is an Irish patronymic name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Dochartaigh", which means "descendant of Dochartach". The name was commonly anglicized as Doherty, Dougherty, or Dockerty in English. The Dohertys were a prominent sept (clan) in County Donegal and part of Inishowen in the Province of Ulster, Ireland. They were chieftains of Tir Conaill, one of the five kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland. Notable members of the O'Doherty clan include Saint Colmcille (521-600 AD), who was born into the family and is considered the patron saint of Ireland, and Hugh O'Doherty, who was the last Gaelic chieftain of Inishowen before the area came under English control in the 17th century. The name spread to other parts of Ireland and the British Isles, as well as North America and Australia due to emigration.
The surname O'Doherty is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in County Donegal and surrounding areas which are traditionally associated with the O'Doherty clan. Historically, this family was one of the most powerful Gaelic clans in Ulster, holding the title of Earls of Tyrconnel. Today, significant numbers of individuals bearing the name can still be found in Donegal and neighboring counties such as Derry, Antrim, and Fermanagh, reflecting their historic territories. Additionally, descendants of the O'Doherty family have dispersed throughout Ireland over time, with smaller concentrations present in other counties including Dublin, Limerick, and Cork. Outside of Ireland, a notable O'Doherty population can be found in the United States, particularly in states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania where Irish immigrants settled during the Great Famine era.
The surname O'Doherty, originating from Ireland, has several variants due to the practice of anglicization and the use of different transcription systems over time. Some common variations include: Doherty, O'Dohery, O'Dowhierty, O'Duhy, O'Dogherty, O'Docherty, and O'Dougherty. The "O" prefix denotes that the family is of Gaelic Irish origin, with "O" being a title used in Ireland equivalent to "de" or "Mac" in other parts of Europe. The name is derived from the Irish "Ó Dúchaidh," which means "descendant of Duchaidh." This surname is most prevalent in County Donegal and parts of County Derry in Ulster, Ireland. However, due to emigration, particularly during the Great Famine (1845-1852), O'Dohertys can be found across the globe.
Notable individuals sharing the surname O'Doherty include:
1. Martin Sheen (born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez), an American actor, known for his roles in "Apocalypse Now," "The West Wing," and "Gilmore Girls." His maternal great-grandfather was Irish and used the stage name Martin O'Doherty.
2. Gabriel Byrne (born Gabrielle Fitzmaurice), an Irish actor who starred in films such as "Miller's Crossing" and "The Usual Suspects." He has also directed several movies, including "In Treatment" and "Vocabulary of Desire."
3. Terry O'Quinn, a prolific American actor known for his portrayal of John Locke in the television series "Lost," as well as roles in "Millennium" and "Hawaii Five-0."
4. Liam O'Doherty, an Irish traditional musician and flute maker, who has performed with numerous renowned groups such as De Dannan, The Bothy Band, and Planxty.
These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in music, film, and television.
The O'Doherty clan is an Irish sept, originating from County Donegal in Ulster, Ireland. The name O'Doherty is derived from the Gaelic "Ó Dochartaigh," which translates to "descendant of Dochartach." The first recorded chief of the clan was Dochartach mac Fergusa who lived around the 6th century AD. Over time, the O'Dohertys became powerful rulers in Donegal and Inishowen. They were frequently at odds with other Irish clans, particularly the O'Donnell family. In the late 17th century, during the Plantation of Ulster, many O'Dohertys were displaced from their lands and were scattered throughout Ireland and Britain. Today, descendants of the O'Doherty clan can be found worldwide, with significant populations in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The O'Doherty Clan Association was established to preserve the history and traditions of the clan and connect its members around the globe.
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