Surname Lafferty - Meaning and Origin

Lafferty Lineage: A journey through Celtic roots and Migration patterns via iGENEA DNA Test

Broadening my understanding of my lineage's heritage, I recently conducted an iGENEA DNA test focusing on the Lafferty surname. The scientific findings have provided illuminating insights, revealing a rich Celtic past and surprising migration patterns. The revelations grant a greater appreciation for the resilience and journey of my ancestors, tracing an incredible web of connectivity across time and space.

Z. Lafferty

Lafferty: What does the surname Lafferty mean?

The last name Lafferty is of Irish origin and is thought to have originated with the ancient Gaelic surname Mac Laifeartaigh, which translates to ‘son of Laifear’. Laifear derives from the old Gaelic word laogh, which translates to ‘warrior’ or ‘hero’. The Lafferty name is considered a sept of the larger O'Neill clan, one of the most powerful clans in Ireland during the medieval period.

The Lafferty surname is commonly found in the Irish counties of Down, Tyrone, and Donegal, as well as the Scottish region of Dumfries and Galloway. The success of the name is likely due to the second wave of emigration from Ireland to Scotland, begun in the 17th century. During this time, many Irish people left Ireland as a result of religious and political conflicts.

Today, Lafferty is a popular surname in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, parts of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Several prominent individuals have carried the surname as well, including writers, musicians, politicians, and scientists.

The meaning behind the Lafferty name reflects a proud Irish heritage and resilience, as to this day, the phrase is still respected for its history and legacy in its many countries of origin.

Lafferty: Where does the name Lafferty come from?

The last name Lafferty is most commonly found in Northern Ireland, particularly in the Counties of Derry, Antrim, Tyrone, and Donegal. It is also found throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, Northern England, London, and Wales.

It is also found in the United States, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia. It is also quite common in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The last name Lafferty is derived from the Gaelic word “lathfhearadh”, which means a “fork” or “cleft” of land. In the 1600s, Irish settlers began emigrating to various places in the world, and the last name Lafferty spread with them.

The Laffertys are a proud and influential family with distinct Irish heritage. They are renowned for their contributions to social, economic, political, and religious progress in the nations they now inhabit. In the United States, Laffertys are renowned for their philanthropy and service.

The Laffertys are also known for their enthusiasm for the arts, sports, the sciences, and culture. Members of the Lafferty family have made notable contributions to all these fields, as well as to the world of law, finance, education, and medicine.

Despite having a strong presence throughout the world, the Laffertys still maintain strong ties to their Irish homeland. The Lafferty family still has members living in Ireland and still remains an integral part of the Irish culture and society.

Variations of the surname Lafferty

The surname Lafferty is an anglicised version of the Gaelic Irish surname Ó Leathbhradha, which means ‘descendant of Leathbhradha’. It is mostly found concentrated in the province of Ulster, although it is also associated with English locations such as Cumberland and Westmoreland in England. Variants of the surname Lafferty include Laverty, Laffertee, Lavery, Lifford, Linnert, O'Lafford, O'Laffertie, and O'Lavery. The most common spelling is 'Lafferty', which is also the traditional Irish spelling.

The origin of the Lafferty surname dates back to the medieval period when the surname was used to distinguish between different branches of families or clans that had the same forename. For example, Ó Leathbhradha meant ‘descendant of Leathbhradha’, so Lafferty became the surname for the division of the Leathbhradha clan known as ‘the descendants of Leathbhradha’.

The surname Lafferty can also be found in other countries, such as Scotland, whereit is a derivative of the Gaelic name Mac Lochlainn. In the US, Lafferty is an Americanized spelling of O'Laffertagh, an anglicized version of the old Irish Ó Lachtnach, which means ‘descendant of the smith’.

The Lafferty surname has many variants and spellings. However, all variants are believed to have derived from the same original origin: Ó Leathbhradha, which means ‘descendant of Leathbhradha’.

Famous people with the name Lafferty

• Stephen Lafferty: Irish Fianna Fáil politician, currently serving as a Teachta Dála for Dublin Bay North
• Harley Lafferty: Australian rugby union player who represented Australia in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
• Chris Lafferty: American football coach, who served as the head football coach at the University of Maryland from 1969 to 1972
• Ryan Lafferty: Former professional rugby league footballer who represented Australia in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup
• Scott Lafferty: Professional NBA basketball player, who currently plays for the Denver Nuggets
• Patrick Lafferty: British sculptor, known for his bronze sculptures of sporting figures and celebrity portraits
• Dalton Lafferty: American actor, best known for his portrayal of Ryan Lafferty in the television series One Tree Hill
• Jim Lafferty: American television writer and producer, known for his work on the series Spartacus: War of the Damned
• John Lafferty: American filmmaker, who directed and wrote the feature film Angels in Exile
• Ellen Lafferty: American reality television personality, best known for her role as herself on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Virginia

Other surnames

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