Surname Flaherty - Meaning and Origin
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Q. Flaherty
read moreFlaherty: What does the surname Flaherty mean?
The last name Flaherty is of Irish origin and is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Ó Flaithbheartaigh" which means "bright prince" or "generous prince." The name is derived from the Gaelic words "flaith", which means prince, combined with "bheartach", meaning bright or generous. The Flaherty family was a prominent Gaelic Irish dynasty in the region of Connemara, County Galway. The name is popular and widely adopted in Ireland and among Irish diaspora. The first recorded spelling of this family name dates back to the 11th century. This surname celebrates the character of generosity and brightness in the family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisFlaherty: Where does the name Flaherty come from?
The surname Flaherty is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "O'Flaithbheartaigh", with the prefix "O" meaning "descendant of", and "Flaithbheartaigh", a personal name composed of the elements "flaith", meaning prince, and "beartach", meaning challenging or obstacle. Thus, the name translates to "descendant of the challenging prince". This surname originated in Connacht, a province in the west of Ireland, and was the name of a notable Irish seafaring family.
Today, the surname Flaherty is common in Ireland, particularly in areas such as Connemara and the Aran Islands. It is also widely seen in regions with significant Irish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, and Australia due to the waves of Irish emigration following the effects of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. Despite its dispersion, the Flaherty surname remains an emblematic representation of Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname Flaherty
The surname Flaherty is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "Ó Flaithbheartaigh" which means "bright prince". This surname originated in Connemara, a region in the west of Ireland. Variants of the surname Flaherty include O'Flaherty, Flaverty, Flaverty, Lafferty, Laherty and Laverty. Some Aboriginal Iris surnames also translate to Flaherty, like "úasal" meaning noble or princely, and "beartaithe" meaning doer of deeds.
The various spellings could be due to phonetic translations and regional accents. For instance, a broad 'a' can sometimes be represented as 'av', thus Flaherty becomes Flaverty. Similarly, 'Fl' can be pronounced as 'L' in some dialects, converting Flaherty to Laherty or Lafferty. O’Flaherty is another variant, where 'O’' means ‘descendant of’, commonly seen in Irish surnames. Hence, O’Flaherty stands for 'descendant of Flaherty'.
Names with same origin may not always appear similar. For instance, the Gaelic roots of the surname Flaherty could also lead to completely different surnames like Laverty or Lafferty, accustomed to regional and dialectal variations.
Famous people with the name Flaherty
- Maureen O’Hara Flaherty: (1920-2015) Irish-American actress and singer best known for her roles in such classic films as Miracle on 34th Street, The Parent Trap, The Quiet Man and How Green was My Valley.
- John Francis Flaherty: (1926-2014) was a professional ice hockey player and the first head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL.
- Jim Flaherty: (1949-2014) Canadian politician who served as the Minister of Finance from 2006 to 2014 and is credited with helping to lead Canada through the global financial crisis.
- Margaret Flaherty: American film actress known for her roles in The Better Half, Wings of the Morning and Shore Leave.
- Tim Flaherty: (1947-present) American actor best known for his roles in The Equalizer, The Riches, Hell on Wheels and NCIS.
- Frank Flaherty: (1896-1966) American stage, film and television actor best known for his roles in The Tenth Man, Stormy Weather and Kiss of Death.
- Jack Flaherty: (1917-2015) American Major League Baseball pitcher, primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Patrick J. Flaherty: (1910-1998) American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
- Rev. Dr. Edward J. Flaherty: Catholic priest and President of Molloy College in New York and founder of the Flaherty Family Association.
- Victor Flaherty: Irish artist and photographer best known for his photographs of Irish landscapes and agriculture.