Surname Dochery - Meaning and Origin

Dochery: What does the surname Dochery mean?

The last name Docherty, also spelled as Dochery, is of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Dohartaigh," meaning 'son of Dochartaigh.' The name 'Dochartaigh' itself comes from the Gaelic words "dochartach", meaning 'obstructive' or 'hurtful.' Some believe it may refer to a person who was a damaging or obstructive force. Others interpret it as describing a person who experienced difficulty or harm. The name can be found under various spellings including Docherty, Docharty, Docherty, Dockerty, and Dogherty. It is not uncommon for Irish and Scottish names to have multiple spellings due to their translation from the Gaelic language into English. The Docherty family name is most common in Scotland, particularly in the region of Lanarkshire. Despite the potentially negative meaning, those bearing this surname have gone on to accomplish great things, contributing significantly to the fields of sports, literature, music, and more. Some notable individuals with this surname include footballer Phil Docherty, author William Docherty, and musician Charlie Docherty.

Dochery: Where does the name Dochery come from?

The last name Docherty, sometimes spelled Dochery, is of Scottish origin. The name is a patronymic from Docherty, which is derived from the Gaelic personal name 'Eachaidh' which means 'horse.' This name is especially associated with Clan Campbell whose origins are traced back to Argyll in western Scotland.

In its initial stages, the name was often spelled as Dougherty or Doherty before being anglicized to its current forms. This change in spelling happened due to British rule and influence in Scotland and subsequent linguistic assimilation.

Today, the last name Docherty or Dochery remains most common in Scotland, particularly within the region of Argyll. Additionally, due to historical emigration patterns from the British Isles, the name has found prevalence in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Thus, the name Docherty or Dochery is predominantly found among individuals of Scottish descent, whether in Scotland itself or within Scottish diaspora communities worldwide.

Variations of the surname Dochery

The surname Dochery has various spellings, derivations, and origin linked to it, primarily from Ireland and Scotland. The most common variant of Dochery is Docherty, a name that originated from Gaelic MacDochartaigh which means 'son of Dochartach'.

Alternative spellings and variations include: Doherty, Dogherty, Dougherty, Daugherty, Daughtery, Dohertey, Doherety, Dohrerty, Doughrty, Doughertie, Doghertie, Daugharty, O'Doherty, O'Dochartaigh, and O'Dougherty.

Besides, some less common variants are Docharty, Dockerty, Dockeray, Dockray, Docwra, Docrwa, and Ducker.

These variations in the surname occurred over time and due to transcription errors, differing literacy levels, and phonetic spelling amongst different branches of the family and in different regions. Doherty is the most common variant today, particularly in Ireland. The spelling "Dougherty" is common in the United States.

Variations of a surname often provide clues about the family's regional origin and migration. A good resource for investigating these different variants is a surname distribution map which can often be found in genealogical research websites.

Famous people with the name Dochery

• Tom Docherty: A former British Labour Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament.
• William Docherty: A renowned Scottish football player and manager, commonly known as "The Doc".
• Shaun Docerty: Popular American actor, best known for his role on the television series, "Beverly Hills, 90210".
• Katie Doherty: A British folk singer-songwriter whose album "Bridges" has received high acclaim.
• Pat Docherty: A well-respected Scottish trade unionist.
• Siobhan Doherty: An Irish actress known for her performance in "An Crisis".
• Danny Docherty: A Scottish professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
• Martin Docherty: Scottish National Party politician.
• Mike Docherty: A South African footballer and former manager of Chester City.
• Helen Docherty: A children's book author best known for her work 'The Snatchabook'.
• Lawrence Docherty: A Scottish boxer who won the IBF Junior Flyweight title in 1993.
• Charlie Docherty: A Scottish professional footballer who played as a winger. Please note that some of these figures are not internationally famous, but they are well-known in their respective fields and localities. Also, the spellings of the surname may vary (i.e., Docherty, Doherty).

Other surnames

Docherty