Surname Towey - Meaning and Origin

Towey: What does the surname Towey mean?

The surname Towey is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Tuathaigh." This name translates to "descendant of Tuathach," with "Tuathach" being a personal name meaning "ruler of the people" or "people's lord." Hence, the surname implies being from a lineage of leaders or rulers. The Towey family originally belongs to the province of Connacht in Ireland, particularly in County Roscommon and County Mayo. Since surnames often represented families' geographical regions, social statuses, occupations, or character traits in ancient times, it might have denoted families leading a group or native tribe. Like many Irish surnames, Towey was subject to various modifications and anglicizations over time due to immigration and other historical events. Therefore, you may see different spellings like Toey, Towy, Towey, and more.

Towey: Where does the name Towey come from?

Today, the last name Towey is most common in counties Mayo and Sligo in the province of Connaught in the Republic of Ireland. According to the Irish Times, it is one of the most common names in certain areas of the country. The name has been present in the Republic of Ireland since around the 1600's when it is thought to have been introduced by Normans, who settled in parts of Connaught during the time of the Plantation. Subsequently, members of the Towey family can now be found in towns throughout the Republic of Ireland, many with connections to the original family who settled there.

In more recent times, the last name Towey is also found in the United Kingdom, especially in the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire, as well as in the United States and Canada. The name is likely to have spread across the world in recent years as descendants of the Irish Towey family have emigrated, primarily from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. With a history stretching back centuries, the last name Towey is still prevalent in the Republic of Ireland and beyond.

Variations of the surname Towey

Towey is a surname of Irish and Scottish origin which is derived from the Gaelic name Toibhe. It is derived from the word 'toibheal', which means wrathful or combative. The name is most commonly seen in Ireland and Scotland, although it is found in other areas as well.

Variants of the surname Towey include Toibheach, Toibhe, Tovagh, O'Tovagh, O'Tuvagh, Towie, Toibh, Toolie, Toole, Tuohy, Tewey and Tousaw. Spellings of the surname include Tubie, Tovah, Tooey, Tuollie, Toollie, Turway, Tohie, Tooeey and Toe.

Surnames with the same origin as Towey include Gibbons, Toner, Joyce, Tobin, Byrne, O'Toole, Toher, Togher and Caffrey. The southern Irish variant of Towey is O'Tuoy, which is derived from O'Tuothaigh, and is anglicized as Tuohy. Another variant, Tuogher, is found in western Ireland.

In Scotland, the surname may be derived from the Gaelic personal name Tuathal, which is anglicized as Towall. The variants of these Scottish surnames include Tuval, Tuvell, Touell, Tuohel, Towing, Toval, Tuig, Tuigle, Touall and Tobell.

Overall, Towey is a surname with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Those with this surname may find their ancestral roots in either Ireland or Scotland, or they may have relatives from both areas. No matter the origin, this surname is certainly unique and special.

Famous people with the name Towey

• Jim Towey: former Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush
• Bob Towey: retired NHL hockey player
• Darren Towey: founder and CEO of Bondi Labs
• James Towey: USACC Commander of the Army Reserve
• Alan Towey: former NASA astronaut
• John Towey: former member of the Irish Senate
• Tom Towey: former New York State Supreme Court Judge
• Sean Towey: Professional football player
• Brendan Towey: Chairman of the British Accounting Standards Board
• Barry Towey: former Mayor of Galway, Ireland
• Peter Towey: retired Special Forces Officer
• Ellen Towey: President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society
• Jim Towey: award-winning screenwriter
• Mary Ann Towey: General Secretary of the Irish Trade Union Unite
• Niall Towey: former Irish Minister for Health and Children
• Ross Towey: Senior Vice President at Operation HOPE
• Matt Towey: Lead singer of the band Sea of Bees
• Leslie Towey: harpist and composer
• Claire Towey: Program Director at the International Medical Corps
• Joseph Towey: Dean of the College of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University

Other surnames

ToweTÖweTowensonTowerTowersTowersonTowery