Surname Faherty - Meaning and Origin
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Faherty: What does the surname Faherty mean?
Faherty is a traditional Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It derives from the Old Gaelic "O'Fathartaigh," which means the descendant of Fathartach. The element 'Fathartach' is a personal name comprising of two attributes, "fath" which signifies foundation, site or base and "art" typically referring to a bear or a champion. Therefore, Faherty could be translated as 'descendant of the foundation of the bear or champion' or 'descendant of the base warrior'. Like many Irish surnames, it carries a noble or warrior connotation. This surname is common in western Ireland, predominantly in the Galway and Mayo counties. As with many other surnames, its spelling can vary, alternative versions include Fatherty, Fagherty, and Fahy. It's essential to note that meanings and origins of surnames could differ based on region and historic interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisFaherty: Where does the name Faherty come from?
The last name Faherty is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Fatharta, meaning 'descendant of Fathartach' where 'Fathartach' signifies a 'prosperous’ or 'productive' man. This surname originated from the areas of Connemara and County Galway in western Ireland.
Today, the last name Faherty is most common in Ireland due to its Irish origins. However, due to historical migrations and the Irish diaspora, particularly during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, this surname can also be found in various parts of the world where Irish people settled. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Despite its spread, it's still more commonly encountered in its native Ireland.
Variations of the surname Faherty
The surname Faherty is of Irish origin and is mostly associated with the regions of Galway and Mayo. Variations of the name include O'Faherty, Ó Fatharta, Fhatharta, Faharta, Fatharta. The surname Faherty may also see changes depending upon the Gaelic or English adaptation of the spelling, resulting in versions such as Faherty, Farty, Faerty, and Faharty.
There have been instances where the surname has been de-Anglicized from Faherty back to its original Irish Gaelic Ó Fatharta. The surname might also appear without the prefix 'O', making it Fatharta or Faharta. The variations could also occur due to the linguistic and pronunciation difference among different dialects, regions, and localities.
In the United States, immigration led to phonetic spelling of the surname, resulting in further variations such as Foherty, Forety, or Fawerty.
It must be noted that although there are many possible variants, Faherty and O'Faherty remain the most prevalent versions used today. The spelling variety of this surname is an interesting reflection of Ireland's linguistic history and its interaction with the English language.
Famous people with the name Faherty
- John Faherty: He is a renowned journalist. His selection as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard in 2013-14 is one of his most notable achievements.
- Alice Faherty: She is a known entrepreneur and co-founder of Faherty Brand, a high-end, sustainable clothing line in America.
- Alex Faherty: Alex is the co-founder of Faherty Brand and also the brother of Alice Faherty. Before founding the company, he worked for Ralph Lauren.
- Mike Faherty: He is another co-founder of Faherty Brand and part of the Faherty family.
- Kerry Faherty: Kerry is a Producer notable for her work in TV series like "The Balancing Act" and "Designing Spaces."
- Paul J. Faherty: He was a significant figure in the field of space physics. He also served as a professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Denver.
- Jack Faherty: A prominent figure in education, Jack Faherty is the author of several books and a former Principal at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx. Please note that these individuals may not be universally known, but they have made significant contributions in their respective fields.