| ![Show Contents]() Towie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of TowieWhat does the name Towie mean? The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Towie is Ó Tuathaigh, which is derived from tuathach, which means ruler. Early Origins of the Towie familyThe surname Towie 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 Towie familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Towie research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1593 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Towie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Towie Spelling VariationsA name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Towie 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 Towie familyMore information is included under the topic Early Towie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Towie familyIrish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Towie name: 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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