Roarty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Roarty

The original Gaelic form of Roarty was Ó Raithbheartaigh, which was modified to Ó Raifeartaigh. The surname is derived from the words rath bheartach meaning prosperity wielder.

Early Origins of the Roarty family

Early History of the Roarty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roarty research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1090 is included under the topic Early Roarty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roarty Spelling Variations

Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Roarty family name include Rafferty, O'Rafferty, Raferty, Raffhery, Raffthery, Raftery, Raverty, Roarty and many more.

Early Notables of the Roarty family

More information is included under the topic Early Roarty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Roarty family

The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Roarty: 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.