| ![Show Contents]() Tohy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of TohyWhat does the name Tohy mean? The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Tohy is Ó Tuathaigh, which is derived from tuathach, which means ruler. Early Origins of the Tohy familyThe surname Tohy 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 Tohy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tohy research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1593 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Tohy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Tohy Spelling VariationsIrish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Tohy dating from that time 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 Tohy familyMore information is included under the topic Early Tohy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Tohy familyDuring the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Tohy family in 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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