| ![Show Contents]() O'Towey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of O'ToweyWhat does the name O'Towey mean? The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Towey is Ó Tuathaigh, which is derived from tuathach, which means ruler. Early Origins of the O'Towey familyThe surname O'Towey was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat as a clann, and their chief was known as O'Tuathaigh (meaning ruler). They were amongst the many tribes of western Ireland, septs of the Hy Niall who were descended from King Niall of the Nine Hostages. King Niall was perhaps the most famous of all Irish Kings being responsible for harassing the Roman departure from England at the foot of the Alps. Early History of the O'Towey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Towey research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1593 and 1958 are included under the topic Early O'Towey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Towey Spelling VariationsMany spelling variations of the surname O'Towey can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Tuohy, Tuohey, Touhy, Touhey, Tooey, Tooy, Towey, Towy, Twoey, Twoy, Twohig, Toohey, Toohy,O'Tuohy, O'Tuohey, O'Touhy, O'Touhey, O'Tooey, O'Tooy, O'Towey, O'Towy, O'Twoey, O'Twoy, O'Twohig, O'Toohey and many more. Early Notables of the O'Towey familyMore information is included under the topic Early O'Towey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the O'Towey familyIreland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name O'Towey to North America: Edward and John Towey who landed in Pennsylvania in 1868 and 1878 respectively; Patrick Tohey settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1847. The family also branched to Cumberland, New South Wales, Australia, where a Gentleman, John Thomas Toohey resided..
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