O Doherty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name O 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 O Doherty family

The surname O 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 O Doherty family

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

O Doherty Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the O Doherty family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Dockeray, Dockerty, Dockharty, Dogherty, Dougharty, Dougherty, Doherty, Doherety, Dohertey, Docherty, Docharty, MacDevitt and many more.

Early Notables of the O 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 O Doherty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O Doherty migration to Australia +

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

O Doherty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Jeremiah O'Doherty, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Utopia"

Contemporary Notables of the name O Doherty (post 1700) +

Brian O'Doherty (1928-2022), also known as Patrick Ireland, an Irish-born, American art critic, writer, visual artist, and academic who lived in New York City for over 50 years, serving as an art critic for The New York Times and NBC, as well as an editor for Art in America
Kieran O'Doherty, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Senator from New York, 1962; Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 17th District, 1964; Candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York, 1966 3
Joseph P. O'Doherty, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for New Jersey, 1972 3
Erin O'Doherty, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Albany County Democratic Party, 2008- 3
Dennis O'Doherty, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly 5th District, 1973-74 3
Kenneth Brendan "Ken" O'Doherty (b. 1963), Irish former professional footballer
Tony O'Doherty (b. 1947), former Northern Irish footballer and footballing manager
Brian O'Doherty (b. 1928), Irish sculptor, conceptual artist, author, and installation artist
Malachi O'Doherty (b. 1951), Irish journalist, author, and broadcaster
David Nicholas O'Doherty (b. 1975), award-winning Irish stand-up comedian
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The O 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
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html