Surname Haughey - Meaning and Origin
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Haughey: What does the surname Haughey mean?
The last name Haughey is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic O'hEochaidh. It is associated with the ancient Uí Echach dynasties of Ulster who have a history stretching back over 1000 years. They were a powerful people of great influence and their lands included much of what is known now as County Louth and parts of Counties Armagh and Monaghan. Over the centuries, the Uí Echach changed and evolved, eventually becoming the modern Haughey name.
The modern version is likely an anglicisation of the surname - as Irish people began to emigrate during the 19th century, many changed their names to appear more English to fit in, and Haughey is no exception. It is believed that the original meaning was ‘descendant of Eochaidh’, or ‘descendant of grandeur’ - as the Uí Echach were a very influential dynasty in Celtic Ireland at the time.
Today, the Haughey name is still found mainly in Ireland, although it can also be found in the UK and the USA, amongst other countries. The Haughey family have been prominent members of Irish society for centuries, and have made notable contributions in various fields such as government, sport, the military and the arts.
Order DNA origin analysisHaughey: Where does the name Haughey come from?
The name Haughey is most commonly found in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It may also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and England, although the name is less common there. The surname is derived from the Gaelic name "O’Haughey," which is thought to be of Scottish origin.
The name first appears in records in County Mayo, Ireland, in Very early records also suggest that the name was from the Old Norse, meaning “son or descendant of the Hofingr” or “son of the seas.”
In modern times, Haughey still has a strong presence in Ireland. Census research from the National Archives of Ireland indicates that the last name can still be found in high concentrations in Connacht, especially in the counties of Mayo, Sligo, Galway, and Roscommon. A significant number of people bearing the name Haughey can also be found in Donegal.
Outside of Ireland, Haughey is a much less common name. It has gradually spread to many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, its presence outside of Ireland is still fairly limited.
Overall, the last name Haughey is still commonly found in the Republic and Northern Ireland and is found to a lesser extent in many other countries around the world. Although it may have its roots in Scotland and Norway, the name is most strongly associated with Ireland today.
Variations of the surname Haughey
The surname Haughey has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the common alternate spellings are Haughey, Haughy, Houghy, Haughee, Houghie, McHaughy, McHaughey, McHauhey, MacHaughey, and MagHaughey.
The Irish spelling of the surname Haughey is Ó hEachaidh, which originates from the Old Irish terms ech, meaning “horse” and cath, meaning “battle.” The Ó hEachaidh took its name from a fourteenth-century Cathraighe (now County Roscommon and part of County Galway) chieftain.
The Scotch-Irish spelling of the surname Haughey is MacHauchey, which is derived from the Gaelic term Mac Eachaidh. This form of the surname is found primarily in Ulster and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eachaidh and Mac Eachaigh. This spelling is thought to have been most common among those who lived in the province of Ulster.
The English spelling of the surname Haughey is Haughy. This spelling is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic terms O’Hochaidh and Hochaidh, which mean “the descendants of the horseman.” This variation is most commonly found in England and is thought to have been introduced by those who immigrated from Ireland in the 17th century.
The modern variations of the surname Haughey are Hough, Haught, Haughey, Haughie, Haughee, Houghy, Houghie, MacHauchey, MacHaughy, MacHaughey, and MagHaughey. These variations are used throughout the world today and are primarily found in countries with high populations of Irish or Scottish-Irish descent, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Haughey
- Charles J. Haughey: Charles was an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach or Prime Minister of Ireland from 1979 to 1992.
- Hugh Haughey: Hugh is a Scottish former professional football player and manager. He played for Clyde and was a manager for Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
- Jeffrey Haughey: Jeffrey is an American politician from the state of Texas. He currently serves as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.
- Christopher Haughey: Christopher is a former Irish jockey and trainer and winner World Master Harness Racing Champion who was associated with the International Trot at Roosevelt Raceway.
- Brian Haughey: Brian is the chairman of the Irish Republican group Saoradh.
- Greg Haughey: Greg is a former American football linebacker who played in the United States Football league and National Football League during the 1980s.
- John G. Haughey, Jr.: John is an American Roman Catholic prelate and former Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Matthew Haughey: Matthew is an American computer programmer and the founder of Metafilter.
- Robert D. Haughey: Robert is the current mayor of New Castle, Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party.
- Joe Haughey: Joe is an American football coach who is currently the defensive line coach at the University of Pittsburgh.