FOGARTY
Fogarty is an Irish surname that originates from the Gaelic Ó Fógartaigh, translating to “descendant of Fógartach”. The personal name Fógartach itself is composed of foghartha, meaning “exiled” or “banished”, and the suffix -acht, denoting hardship or adversity. Consequently, bearers of the name are traditionally considered descendants of an individual or community that was banished or outlawed.
The Fogarty lineage is closely associated with the ancient clan group known as the Dal gCais, or the Dalcassians, who held sway over parts of County Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. The barony of Eliogarty, situated in County Tipperary, records the sept’s prominence in the medieval period. The earliest documented spelling, O Fogarty, appears in the Annals of Ulster dated 1072 – a reference to the King of Ely in County Tipperary during the reign of the High King of Ireland.
English language adaptations of the name include Fogerty, Foggarty, Fogaty, Gogarty and Go(g)erty. These variations arose through the transliteration of Gaelic phonetics into English orthography over several centuries, yet they all trace back to the same original Gaelic root.
Geographically, the most concentrated population of Fogarty bearers remains in County Tipperary, with historical presence also noted in County Kilkenny. In contemporary times the surname has spread through migration, appearing in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, reflecting the broader patterns of Irish diaspora.
The family’s heraldic badge consists of a cobalt blue shield featuring two gold lions rampant, flanked by a golden sheaf of corn. The corn sheaf symbolises prosperity and the harvest of one’s hopes, while the lions represent courage and nobility.
Notable individuals bearing the name include Malachy O’ Fogarty (born 1700) of the Royal University of Paris, who was born at Castle Fogarty in County Tipperary, and Archbishop Fogarty (1858–1955), who served as Bishop of Killaloe for more than half a century. These figures underscore the historical significance and influence of the Fogarty family within ecclesiastical and academic spheres.
Typical given names associated with the Fogarty surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- David
- James
- John
- Kevin
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Thomas
Female
- Ann
- Bridget
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Janet
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Sharon
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Fogarty in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 2,238 people named Fogarty in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,835th most common surname in Britain. Around 34 in a million people in Britain are named Fogarty.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Fogarty
- Shelagh Fogarty - Journalist
- Carl Fogarty - Motorcycle racer
- Ken Fogarty - Football player
- Michael Patrick Fogarty - Politician (1916 to 2001)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.