Surname Hagerty - Meaning and Origin
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Hagerty: What does the surname Hagerty mean?
The surname Hagerty is a variation of the Irish name Mac an tSagairt which translates to "son of the priest." It is thought to have originated in County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, and from there the name spread to other parts of the country, and ultimately beyond its borders. The Hagerty spelling is most notably found in the United States today.
The name often appears as part of a topographical or occupational surname, as evidenced by the fact that many of the first immigrants to bear the name Hagerty were farmers and homesteaders in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware in the late 1700s. The likely reason for this is that the family may have had a relative who had studied to become a priest, thus giving them the incentive to use the name as their own.
Other variants of the name Hagerty are Haggerty, Hagarty, and Hickert, though all of these forms share similar meanings and origins. It has been speculated that the name being derived from a religious context could be related to the family's tendency to be religious, though this has not been definitely established.
No matter the ultimate origin of the name, the Hagertys are a proud, longstanding family that has spanned centuries and continents in search of a better life. They may no longer live in Ireland, but the name continues to honor their Irish heritage through the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisHagerty: Where does the name Hagerty come from?
The last name Hagerty is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census, the surname Hagerty is ranked as the 8,818th most common last name in the country. It is most densely concentrated in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. Pennsylvania has the highest number of Hagertys, with approximately 24,000 and Ohio has the second most with around 12,000. It is also common in New York, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, and several other states. Outside of the United States, Hagerty has a significant presence in Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic term “O’hOgain”, meaning “descendant of Ogan”. In Irish records, the surname is often found spelled as Hagerty, Hegarty, or Hegerty. In addition, Hagertys have a presence in Canada, the United Kingdom, and several countries in Europe. It is uncommon in Asia and South America, as well as other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Hagerty
The surname Hagerty is believed by some researchers to be a variant of Haggerty, which also has a variety of spellings and pronunciations like Hagarty, Hagrty, Hackrty, Hargarty, and Haggerty. It is of Irish origin, derived from an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó hEigceardaigh, which is said to mean "descendant of Eigceardaigh".
In its original form, Hagerty can be found as Ó hEigceardaigh and its Irish pronunciation is O HAY-kuh-rtee. Some other variant spellings of the surname include Hagart, Heggerty, Haggertye, Hegarty, Hegertie, Hagarty, Hagrty, Hackrty, and Hargarty.
The Hagerty surname is thought to have originated in South and North Galway, County Mayo, and Donegal in Ireland. It is often associated with ancient family dynasties and with their old homes in different parts of the country.
The name has become quite popular over the years, so much so that it can now be found as a first or middle name in some parts of the world. It is also common among Irish descendants scattered in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The Hagerty surname conjures images of loyalty and determination to many people, making it a great choice for those who want to emphasize these traits in their children. It is often associated with leadership and strength, especially those from the Irish culture, making it a popular choice among those of Irish descent.
Famous people with the name Hagerty
- Paul Hagerty: American diplomat who served as the US Ambassador to Oman from 2006-2009.
- Kevin Hagerty: American actor who is best known for his roles in ‘The Facts of Life’ and ‘Charles in Charge.’
- Jim Hagerty: American lawyer and banker who served as the White House Press Secretary to President Dwight Eisenhower from 1953-1961.
- Sarah Hagerty: American figure skater who won the bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo.
- Sean Hagerty: American boxer who held the IBF Lightweight Championship title from 2002-2003.
- Jeff Hagerty: American bassist who is best known for his work with the rock band Guns N’ Roses.
- Andrew Hagerty: American country singer-songwriter who has written for artists such as George Jones and Faith Hill.
- Molly Hagerty: American singer and songwriter best known for her EP ‘Letters and Lullabies’.
- Tom Hagerty: American Major League Baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1973-1976.
- Michael Hagerty: American actor who has appeared on numerous TV and film productions including ‘Smallville’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Hagerty"
12.01.2024
Julie Hagerty - American actress. Best known for her role as Elaine in Airplane. Born June 15, 1955. Other movies include What About Bob, Lost in America and She’s the Man.