The original Gaelic form of O'Roary was Ó Raithbheartaigh, which was modified to Ó Raifeartaigh. The surname is derived from the words rath bheartach meaning prosperity wielder.
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Early Origins of the O'Roary family
The surname O'Roary was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel.
Early History of the O'Roary family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Roary research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1090 is included under the topic Early O'Roary History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
O'Roary Spelling Variations
In the Middle Ages many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the O'Roary family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Rafferty, O'Rafferty, Raferty, Raffhery, Raffthery, Raftery, Raverty, Roarty and many more.
Early Notables of the O'Roary family
More information is included under the topic Early O'Roary Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the O'Roary family
The 18th century saw the slow yet steady emigration of Irish families to British North America and the United States. Those early Irish settlers that left their homeland were typically moderately well off: they were enticed by the promise of a sizable plot of land. However, by the 1840s, this pattern of immigration was gone: immigrants to North America were seeking refuge from the starvation and disease that the Great Potato Famine of that decade brought. The great numbers of Irish that arrived to the United States and the soon to be Canada were instrumental in their quick development as powerful industrial nations. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists uncovered many early immigrants bearing the name O'Roary: Michael and Mary Raferty who settled in Passmaquodie Maine in 1823; Anne, Bridge, Catherin, Ellen, John, Mary, Owen, Pat, Thomas Rafferty all settled in Quebec in 1849.
