Doherty Surname

The History of the Doherty Surname

The surname Doherty, sometimes spelled as Dougherty, originates from Ireland, where it is one of the most common surnames. The name itself is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Irish Ó Dochartaigh, meaning "son of Dochartach." Dochartach is a personal name that translates to "hurtful" or "obstructive," suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have had a reputation for being fierce or aggressive.

Irish Origins

The Doherty surname has deep roots in Irish history, particularly in the northern provinces of Ulster and Connacht. The Ó Dochartaigh clan was an influential sept that held territory in County Donegal, where they were known for their warrior prowess and loyalty to the Gaelic chieftains. The name Doherty is still most commonly found in these areas today, along with significant populations in the United States, Great Britain, and Australia.

In the 17th century, during the period of English colonization known as the Plantation of Ulster, many Irish families, including the Dohertys, were displaced from their lands and forced to seek refuge elsewhere. This led to the widespread dispersal of the Doherty surname to other parts of Ireland and beyond, as many sought opportunities for a new life in the Americas, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.

Migration to America

One of the largest populations of Dohertys outside of Ireland can be found in the United States, where the surname has been present since the early days of European colonization. Irish immigrants, fleeing famine, poverty, and political unrest in their homeland, sought better prospects in America, where they could build a new life for themselves and their families.

The Doherty surname is particularly prevalent in states with significant Irish populations, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Many Dohertys played important roles in American history, contributing to the country's growth and development through their work in politics, business, and the arts.

Spread to the United Kingdom and Beyond

The Doherty surname also has a strong presence in the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the name is most commonly spelled as Dougherty, reflecting the local dialect and variations in pronunciation. Scottish Dohertys are often descendants of Irish immigrants who settled in Scotland during the 19th and 20th centuries, seeking work in industries such as mining, textiles, and shipbuilding.

Outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Doherty surname can be found in countries across the world, including Australia, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand. Irish emigrants took their names with them wherever they went, leaving a lasting legacy of the Doherty surname in diverse communities around the globe.

Modern-Day Distribution

Today, the Doherty surname remains a popular and widely recognized name in many countries, with variations in spelling and pronunciation reflecting regional differences and linguistic influences. According to data from various countries, the incidence of the Doherty surname varies, with the highest concentrations found in the United States, followed by Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, and other English-speaking nations.

Despite its widespread distribution, the Doherty surname continues to be a source of pride for many individuals who bear the name, serving as a reminder of their Irish heritage and the resilience of their ancestors who carried the name to distant shores.

As a surname expert, I have studied the history and significance of the Doherty surname, tracing its origins back to ancient Ireland and following its path of migration and settlement around the world. The story of the Doherty name is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Irish people and their contributions to the global community.

The surname Doherty within the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it can be done to get African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same occurs when it comes to Doherty, which as you are able to corroborate, it may be stated that it is a surname which can be present in most of the nations for the world. Just as you can find countries by which definitely the density of men and women with the surname Doherty is more than far away.

The map for the Doherty surname

View Doherty surname map

The chance of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Doherty on earth, assists us a whole lot. By placing ourselves on the map, on a concrete nation, we are able to start to see the concrete amount of people utilizing the surname Doherty, to acquire in this way the precise information of all of the Doherty you could currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to comprehend not only where the surname Doherty arises from, but also in what manner the people who're originally area of the household that bears the surname Doherty have relocated and relocated. In the same way, you'll be able to see in which places they have settled and grown up, which is why if Doherty is our surname, it seems interesting to which other nations associated with the globe it will be possible this one of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Doherty on the planet

  1. United States United States (39316)
  2. England England (16591)
  3. Ireland Ireland (14714)
  4. Australia Australia (8931)
  5. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (6739)
  6. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone (6422)
  7. Canada Canada (5857)
  8. Scotland Scotland (3629)
  9. Nigeria Nigeria (3127)
  10. New Zealand New Zealand (1153)
  11. South Africa South Africa (703)
  12. Wales Wales (511)
  13. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (197)
  14. France France (171)
  15. Spain Spain (153)
  16. Mauritius Mauritius (137)
  17. Germany Germany (109)
  18. Singapore Singapore (84)
  19. Isle of Man Isle of Man (80)
  20. Brazil Brazil (79)
  21. Japan Japan (70)
  22. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (69)
  23. Netherlands Netherlands (66)
  24. Qatar Qatar (42)
  25. Argentina Argentina (40)
  26. Belgium Belgium (40)
  27. Sweden Sweden (37)
  28. Philippines Philippines (32)
  29. Russia Russia (28)
  30. Estonia Estonia (23)
  31. Guernsey Guernsey (22)
  32. Denmark Denmark (19)
  33. Switzerland Switzerland (17)
  34. Mexico Mexico (16)
  35. Norway Norway (15)
  36. Gibraltar Gibraltar (15)
  37. Indonesia Indonesia (14)
  38. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (12)
  39. Jersey Jersey (12)
  40. Oman Oman (10)
  41. India India (10)
  42. Bermuda Bermuda (10)
  43. Kenya Kenya (9)
  44. Cook Islands Cook Islands (9)
  45. U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands (8)
  46. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (8)
  47. Italy Italy (8)
  48. Afghanistan Afghanistan (6)
  49. Austria Austria (6)
  50. Pakistan Pakistan (6)
  51. Poland Poland (4)
  52. Israel Israel (4)
  53. Bahrain Bahrain (4)
  54. Chile Chile (4)
  55. Swaziland Swaziland (4)
  56. Colombia Colombia (4)
  57. Ecuador Ecuador (3)
  58. Nepal Nepal (3)
  59. Bulgaria Bulgaria (3)
  60. South Korea South Korea (3)
  61. Cyprus Cyprus (3)
  62. Turkey Turkey (3)
  63. Finland Finland (2)
  64. Zambia Zambia (2)
  65. Panama Panama (2)
  66. Thailand Thailand (2)
  67. Czech Republic Czech Republic (2)
  68. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (2)
  69. Ukraine Ukraine (2)
  70. Malaysia Malaysia (1)
  71. Venezuela Venezuela (1)
  72. British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands (1)
  73. Niue Niue (1)
  74. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (1)
  75. Peru Peru (1)
  76. French Polynesia French Polynesia (1)
  77. Aruba Aruba (1)
  78. Greece Greece (1)
  79. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (1)
  80. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (1)
  81. Hungary Hungary (1)
  82. Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina (1)
  83. Barbados Barbados (1)
  84. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (1)
  85. Romania Romania (1)
  86. Bahamas Bahamas (1)
  87. Cambodia Cambodia (1)
  88. Senegal Senegal (1)
  89. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (1)
  90. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (1)
  91. Costa Rica Costa Rica (1)
  92. Liberia Liberia (1)
  93. East Timor East Timor (1)
  94. Luxembourg Luxembourg (1)
  95. Latvia Latvia (1)
  96. Morocco Morocco (1)
  97. Taiwan Taiwan (1)
  98. Tanzania Tanzania (1)