Doherty


Select Doherty Surname Genealogy

The Irish O'Doherty is an anlgicized form of the Old Gaelic O'Dochartaigh, descendant of Dochartach a personal byname having the rather strange meaning of "destroyer."   Doherty and variants are used today.  The spellings O'Doherty and Doherty are to be found in Ireland today, Docherty in Scotland, and Dougherty and Daugherty in America. 

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Ireland.  The Dohertys were an Irish sept that originated in the barony of Raphoe in county Donegal on the west coast of Ireland.  By the 14th century the O'Dochartaigh chiefs had extended their territory till they became the lords of Inishowen (Inis Eoghain) on the Inishowen Peninsula.  Their line started with Donal Mori O’Dochartaigh, born at Buncrana around 1387.  In 1540 they reached agreement with the English that the O'Dochartaigh would not cross the river Foyle if the British would stay out of Inishowen.

The power of the O'Dohertys was greatly reduced following the ill-timed rebellion of 1608 against the English, led by Sir Cahir O'Doherty.

"After having been insulted by the Governor of Derry Sir Cahir O'Doherty rallied his troops, marched south, and sacked Derry.  The Governor of Derry paid for his insult with his life.  But then Cahir was forced to withdraw and some months later he was killed."

Sir Cahir’s sister Rosa had already departed Ireland in 1607 in the Flight of the Earls.  She was the only clan member who was able to make this escape.

O'Doherty's Buncrana castle on Inishowen was taken and occupied by the English and the O'Dohertys lost their lands.  In 1790 the remaining O'Doherty descendants departed for Spain.  Other Dohertys were also departing - to Scotland or to England or further afield to America. 

Today there are Doherty families in many parts of Ireland.  But the main concentration remains Donegal and the vicinity of Derry.  Dohertys have been prominent in recent years in the IRA.

England and Scotland.  The Docherty spelling took root in Scotland.  Dochertys in Scotland were mainly to be found in and around Glasgow.  In Lancashire the spelling was Doherty or Docherty or sometimes Dougherty.

America.  America has Dohertys, Doughertys, and Daughertys.  The Daughertys appear to have been the early arrivals, coming before 1800; the Doughertys after 1800.  Other spellings to be found have been Darity, Daughtry and Daughtrey, mainly in the South.

Select Doherty Miscellany

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Select Doherty Names

Sir Cahir O'Doherty led the ill-timed rebellion of 1608 against the Governor of Derry and paid for it with his life..
John Doherty from Buncrana in county Donegal was a trade union activist and factory reformer in early 19th century Manchester.
Eddie Doherty was a renowned American newspaper reporter of the 1920's and 30's.  He and his third wife Catherine started the Madonna House Apostolate in Canada in 1947.
John Doherty, born in Donegal into a travelling clan, was a highly acclaimed Irish folk fiddler.  He was mainly active from the 1950's to the 1970's.
Tommy Docherty, known as "the Doc," was a well-known Scottish footballer and football manager.
Moya Doherty is the co-founder of the theatrical phenomenon Riverdance.

Select Doherty Today
  • 38,000 in the UK (most numerous in Belfast)
  • 36,000 in America (most numerous in Massachusetts) 
  • 37,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Ireland)

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