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Doherty History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Doherty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Doherty

What does the name Doherty mean?

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Doherty is Ó Dochartaigh, from the word "dochartach," which means hurtful or obstructive 1 and in this case, it would be termed as a nickname.

Early Origins of the Doherty family

The surname Doherty was first found in at Inishowen, in the barony of Raphoe, in County Donegal, where they were a large and influential sept, and were kin to the O'Donnells.

They were one of the principal Irish clans to resist the Norman invasion of 1170 and were known as the Lords of Innishowen directly descended from the distinguished Irish General King Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was descended from the Heremon line of Irish Kings.

The MacDevitts, who exist in large numbers in Inishowen, are descended from David O'Doherty, a chief of Cinel Conaill who was killed in 1208. Some members of the MacDevitt branch migrated to the territory of Oriel, now counties Louth, Monaghan, and south Down. There the "D" was aspirated creating the early Anglicization MacCaveat, and then the variation MacKevitt.

Expanding their territory, they came to rule the peninsula of Inishowen in the 14th century. However, the poorly-timed and disastrous rebellion against the English crown led by Sir Cahir O'Dougherty in 1608, drastically reduced the power of the once powerful sept.

"The O'Doghertys were a powerful Sept in County Donegal, and were located in Inishowen Barony, of which O'Dogherty was Lord. The Doghertys or Dohertys are numerously represented there at the present time." 2

Early History of the Doherty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doherty research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1587, 1608, 1677, 1755 and 1783 are included under the topic Early Doherty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doherty Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Doherty revealed spelling variations, including Dockeray, Dockerty, Dockharty, Dogherty, Dougharty, Dougherty, Doherty, Doherety, Dohertey, Docherty, Docharty, MacDevitt and many more.

Early Notables of the Doherty family

Notable among the family name at this time was Sir Cahir O'Dougherty (1587-1608), leader of the rebellion in 1608, the last Gaelic Lord of Inishowen. Angered by the confiscation of his lands for the Plantation of Ulster, he sacked and burned the town of Derry and killed the Governor, Sir George Paulet. He had quarreled with Paulet for some time and some claim that Paulet had assaulted him. The real reason for the...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doherty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doherty World Ranking

In the United States, the name Doherty is the 1,467^th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Doherty is ranked the 922^nd most popular surname with an estimated 5,861 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Doherty is the 370^th popular surname with an estimated 9,902 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks Doherty as 620^th with 1,153 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Doherty as 298^th with 20,218 people. 7

Doherty migration to the United States +

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Doherty name:

Doherty Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Michael Doherty, who arrived in New England in 1777 8

Doherty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh, Doherty Jr., aged 16, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 8
Elinor Doherty, aged 19, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 8
George Doherty, aged 21, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1804 8
James Doherty, aged 28, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 8
H Doherty, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Doherty migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doherty Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

George Doherty from County Wexford, was married in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1797 9

Doherty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Patrick Doherty, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1820
Daniel Doherty, who landed in Canada in 1823
Edward Doherty, who arrived in Canada in 1823
John Doherty, who landed in Canada in 1823
Jude Doherty, who arrived in Canada in 1823
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Doherty Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

William J Doherty, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Doherty migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Doherty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr.Owen Doherty, (b. 1792), aged 27, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Westmeath, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bencoolen" on 24th April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia before being transferred to Tasmania via the "Admiral Cockburn" 10
Mrs. Doherty, British settler who arrived in Hobart Town, Australia aboard the ship "Lavinia" in November 1832 11
Child Doherty, British settler who arrived in Hobart Town, Australia aboard the ship "Lavinia" in November 1832 11
Mr. John Doherty, (b. 1813), aged 25, Irish labourer who was convicted in County Clare, Ireland for 7 years for manslaughter, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 29th December 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
John Doherty, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Dauntless" in 1840 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Doherty migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Doherty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. J. Doherty, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 14
Miss Ann Doherty, (b. 1839), aged 22, Irish house servant, from County Donegal travelling from London aboard the ship "Royal Stuart" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 8th October 1861 15
Miss Bridget Doherty, (b. 1841), aged 20, Irish house servant, from County Donegal travelling from London aboard the ship "Royal Stuart" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 8th October 1861 15
Miss Susan Doherty, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th October 1863 14
Miss Susan Doherty, (b. 1845), aged 20, British needlewoman travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 4th January 1865 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Doherty (post 1700) +

Carol A. Doherty (1942-2025), American educator and politician, Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (2020-2025)
Shannen Maria Doherty (1971-2024), American actress, producer, author and television director
Barbara Doherty (1931-2020), American educator and theologian, a Roman Catholic religious sister, member of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Edward Paul Doherty (1840-1897), American Civil War officer who formed and led the detachment of soldiers that captured and killed John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of United States President Abraham Lincoln
Edward J. "Eddie" Doherty (1890-1975), American newspaper reporter, best-selling author, Oscar-nominated screenwriter
John Joseph Doherty (1919-1942), American Navy officer awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
John Kenneth Doherty (1905-1996), American Olympic decathlete
Brian Doherty (b. 1958), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 2004, 2008 (alternate) 16
Arthur T. Doherty, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1996 16
Anne Marie Doherty, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 2008 16
... (Another 74 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Doherty family +

Lady of the Lake

Mr. Philip Doherty (b. 1804), cooper who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
Miss Jane Doherty (b. 1813), Irish traveller from Moville, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking

RMS Titanic

Mr. William John Doherty (d. 1912), (aka "James Moran"), aged 22, Irish Third Class passenger from Cork who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 17

USS Arizona

Mr. John A. Doherty, American Chief Gunner's Mate working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 18
Mr. George Walter Doherty, American Seaman Second Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 18
Mr. John Albert Doherty, American Machinist's Mate Second Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 18

The Doherty Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ar Ndutcas
Motto Translation: Our heritage

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bencoolen
Libraries Tasmania retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/
Convict Records Australia. Retrieved on 18th March 2022 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DAUNTLESS 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Dauntless.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html