History of Name

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We know very little about the origins of our name.

The earliest reference to the name that we have found is a reference in the Register of Derry Cathedral (Page 54). It refers to the marriage of a Turlagh Haraghy on the 16th Dec 1657.

The next reference is included in a Donegal Families Surname Database.It refers to the year 1665 to a Rory Harraghy from Mullansole, Drumhome Co Donegal. See our page Har**ys on the Web. This reference also shows similar names;- Harighey, Harrigan, Heraghty, Herraghty, Herrity, Harrity.

There is a reference to the name Harrihy in the book "More Irish Families", (1960) pg 145/146 by Edward MacLysaght. This section refers to the name "Hore" but he goes on to say:-

".....when found in Connacht the name Hore may well be of quite different origin, because Horahoe, the usual anglicised form of O Hearchadha, has to some extent been absorbed by the simpler Hore. The same name is also sometimes anglicized as Harrihy and from that has ridiculously become Harrison and Harris. Co. Sligo rent rolls of the early seventeenth century give the name as O'Harroghue."

A further reference is found in another book by Edward MacLysaght entitled "The Surnames of Ireland" I quote as follows:-

" (o) HARRIHY, Harhoe, O'Earchaidh
(Woulf'E derivation as noble warrior is not accepted by Celtic scholars)
HARAHY, so spellt, was formerly very numerous in the barony of Banagh, Co. Donegal.
HARVEY is substituted for the name in Fermanagh.
In Mayo the variant O'hEarchadha (see HOROHOE) has become HARRIS and even HARRISON."

Our research has shown that the name was reasonably common in pre-famine Ireland, particularly in Donegal and Sligo.

The Co Donegal Harraghys appear to have changed their name to Harvey, but any who emigrated in the post famine era are likely to have retained their original name.

The name was common in the same areas where the names Heraghty, Herrity, Harrity etc were also found. The name Heraughty and variations are also linked to the name Geraghty. See the reference to the Geraghty / Heraughty Name on the Links page.

The following is the text of an E-Mail From Nick Geraghty.
" Saw you entry on Dennis Mumby's site. Not sure how long it's been there but thought I might be of some assistance.
From my researches I have found that at some point c14th Cen the Clan Geraghty (MagOireachtaigh) were "dis-possessed" of some of their original ancestral homelands within the Sil Murray (a region around the current defined as parts of county's of Roscommon, Mayo & Galway & moving northward into Sligo).
As some form of compensation they were awarded an Island of the cost of Sligo known as Innish Murray. From here it would appear that the name altered from Geraghty to Heraghty and all the variations in between. Given the original spelling (MagOireachtaigh) it is easy to understand the confusion.
The island has not been inhabited since the 50' but I have been trying to get out there for the last couple of years but without success do to adverse weather conditions.
Hope that of interest let me know if I can help any further. "

There is also some family folklore which suggests that the name has Spanish origins, linked to the Spanish name for Henry.

When I was at school the Irish version of my name was "O hArraithe", but I don't know if this was the correct traditional spelling.

If anyone has any other information about the name please contact us.

This Web site is maintained by Tommy Harraghy.
This site is currently under reconstruction.
We welcome your feedback.

Email: harraghy@utvinternet.com

Please add our Web page to your Favorites. There are many external links on our pages and we would like you to ensure you can find your way back to us before you continue on your journey!