Surname Caherty - Meaning and Origin

Caherty: What does the surname Caherty mean?

The surname Caherty is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic name 'Mac Eachthigheirn', which is derived from the Gaelic 'eachthigheirn', meaning 'horse-lord' or 'master of horses', and the prefix 'Mac', meaning 'son of'.

This surname is believed to have been first used by the FitzGeralds of Kildare, a branch of the powerful Fitzgerald clan of Munster. They are thought to have settled in Kildare in the late 11th century, at which time they began to use the surname Caherty (and its other variants).

The Caherty surname is most commonly found in County Kildare and County Galway. In the 19th century, members of the Caherty family emigrated throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Many Cahertys settled in large Irish-American populations in major cities in the United States such as New York and Boston.

The Caherty surname symbolizes strength, courage, and a strong ancestral foundation. It was a name given in the old days to signify a family member who was master of horses or a respected horse lord or leader. The proud history and legacy of the Caherty surname carries on to this day, as descendants celebrate their heritage and history.

Caherty: Where does the name Caherty come from?

The last name Caherty is most commonly found in Ireland, where it is an anglicized version of the Irish language Gaelic surname Mac Aidhche. While the name is not particularly common, it can be found in pockets around Ireland, particularly in Counties Derry and Londonderry. Within Ireland, the name is found mainly in the northern regions, although there are a few families in the south as well.

The name can also be found in various countries around the world, especially in regions with large Irish diaspora communities. There seems to be a higher concentration in England and Scotland, followed by the United States, Canada and Australia. Countries with smaller Irish populations such as France, South Africa, New Zealand and Germany have also seen some families bearing the name over the years. Also, records of the name have been found in parts of South America, particularly in Argentina.

The variations of spelling for the last name Caherty include Caharty, Caherty, Caffery, Coherty and Kafferty. While all of these derivatives are found in Ireland, they are also found in several other countries with large Irish communities, such as the United States, where the surnames are sometimes written as Caffrey or Cafferty.

Variations of the surname Caherty

The surname Caherty has a variety of different spellings, variants, and surnames that all have the same origin. Caherty can also be spelled as Cahir, Cahary, Ceahirt, Khery, Carehy, Kiery, Khatar, Khatri, Kaity, Kaitar and Kaitry. The spelling of the surname Caherty can also vary depending on region, typically changing from one culture to another.

The Irish version of the surname Caherty is Ó Cadhla, meaning descendant of Cadhla, a personal name derived from the Gaelic word for “war”. Variations of the Irish version include the spellings Ó Cathail, Ó Ceallaigh, Ó Caithligh, Ó Caothlaigh, Ó Caechaille, and Ó Céile.

In Scotland, variations of the name Caherty include Cahier and Cahair. In Scotland, the name has been Anglicized to Carly and Caillye.

In England, the name Caherty has been anglicised to Cauthary, Kethry, and Qthery.

Other surname variants of Caherty include Cethardy, Qhiarth, Coothers, Ciothers, Coothey, Ciffert, Kythree, Kaffert, Koffert, and Kefer. Another variation of the surname Caherty is the French name Chauvel.

The Caherty surname and its various spellings and variants is thought to have originated from several sources, though the majority of them likely trace back to the Irish and Scottish versions of the surname. With a rich and vibrant history, the surname Caherty and its variations and spellings can be found in numerous countries around the world, tracing its many origins back to the Emerald Isles.

Famous people with the name Caherty

• Sean Caherty: American political consultant, campaign manager, and former senior advisor to President George W. Bush.
• Jeff Caherty: Retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, and Los Angeles Kings.
• Sarah Caherty: Professional actor and acting coach.
• Chris Caherty: Professional soccer player who plays for the Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
• Ryan Caherty: Executive Director of the nonprofit organization City Harvest.
• Joe Caherty: Major in the United States Army and former Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard.
• Andrew Caherty: Professional soccer player who plays for the Las Vegas Lights FC.
• Don Caherty: American entrepreneur and founder of the Don Caherty Leadership Foundation.
• Brendan Caherty: Professional basketball player who last played for the Halifax Hurricanes of the National Basketball League of Canada.
• Tim Caherty: Popular American stand-up comedian and actor who has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Jay Leno Show.

Other surnames

Cahern