HAGGARTY
Haggarty is a surname of Celtic provenance that is identified with both Scotland and Ireland, reflecting the linguistic and genealogical ties that bind the British Isles. The earliest recorded form of the name appears in Gaelic as Mac Eachaidh, a patronymic meaning “son of Eachaidh.” The element Eachaidh is derived from the Gaelic word each, translating to “horse.” Consequently, the name was originally associated with a person who was the son of a horseman or someone connected with horses.
In Ireland the surname is an anglicised manifestation of several old Gaelic names. One branch of the name derives from O'hEgceartaigh, a patronymic linked to a byname eigceartach meaning “unjust.” According to contemporary records, the principal sept of this line belonged to the Cineal Eoghan, a group descended from Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the 4th‑century High King of Ireland. The territory of this sept stretched across the modern border counties of Donegal and Derry, with a chief presence in the barony of Loughinsholin during the 14th century. Over time the name was rendered in a variety of forms, including O'He(a)gertie, O'Hagirtie, (O)Hagerty, Hegarty, Haggarty and Haggerty.
A further variant was Ó hAigheartaigh, which originates from County Kerry. The element Aighearaghdha translates literally to “warlike,” and the surname has been described as a title of honour that highlighted martial prowess within a familiar clan. This version of the name has remained recorded in Kerry since medieval times and continues to be borne by residents in that county.
Multiple early spellings are recorded, many reflecting the influence of both Gaelic and English orthographic conventions. Owing to homophony and regional dialects, alternate spellings such as Hagarty, Hagerta, Hagarta, Haggerta, Haggertie and Haggertigh have all been documented. These variations are exemplified by the Latinised form Maolmuire O'Hegarty, dated 1602 in the Records of the Battle of Kinsale, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The contemporary thirteenth‑century Irish heraldry associated with the Haggarty name includes a silver shield with an oak tree, a red chief decorated with three silver birds, and a crest featuring an armored arm holding a scymitar.
Geographically, the surname is widespread in certain areas of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and Australia. In Scotland, it is notably concentrated in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, suggesting a longstanding Scottish presence possibly linked to the Old Norse name hagari, meaning “hawk.” In Ireland the name is most common in County Cork and Kerry, and also appears in the border regions of Donegal and Derry. In North America, Pinalia registres list the Haggarty name present mainly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Australian census data indicate that Victoria contains the largest population of individuals with the surname.
In summarising the surname Haggarty, it is clear that the name carries a deep Celtic heritage that is expressed through multiple Gaelic roots, each relating to notable traits such as equine association, martial character or noble descent. The persistence of the name across diverse territories underscores its resilience and the enduring legacy of families who have carried it for many centuries.
Typical given names associated with the Haggarty surname
Male
- David
- Hugh
- Ian
- James
- John
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Ronald
- Sam
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Aileen
- Alison
- Angela
- Ann
- Anne
- Elizabeth
- Gillian
- June
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Hagarty
- Hagerty
- Haggard
- Haggar
- Hagart
- Haggardy
- Haggart
- Hagarth
- Hagarthy
- Haggartey
- Haggarth
- Haggartt
- Haggaty
- Haggert
- Haggerty
- Hagherty
- Heagarty
- Hegarty
- Heggart
- Heggarty
- Heggerty
- Higgarty
- Higgerty
- Hoggarty
- Hoggerty
- Haggars
- Haggath
- Haggertay
- Haggerton
- Haggety
- Haigherty
- Haygarth
- Haygarthe
- Heagerty
- Higarty
- Hogarty
- Hougardy
- Hoggart
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Haggarty in...
Braille
⠓⠁⠛⠛⠁⠗⠞⠽
Morse
.....---.--..-.-.--.--
Semaphore
There are approximately 1,098 people named Haggarty in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,863rd most common surname in Britain. Around 17 in a million people in Britain are named Haggarty.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Haggarty
- Peter Haggarty - Scottish football player
- Matt Haggarty -
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.