Surname Rafferty - Meaning and Origin
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Rafferty: What does the surname Rafferty mean?
The surname Rafferty is an Irish surname with origins in the Gaelic language. The surname Rafferty is believed to have evolved from the Gaelic name Mac Raith, which translates to "Son of Grace". It is also believed to have derivations in other Gaelic names such as Ó Raithbheartach (Grandson of Grace) and MacRaghtaigh (Son of Grace).
The first wave of Rafferty immigration to America began in the early 19th century, with immigrants from Scotland and Ireland settling in areas such as New York and Pennsylvania. The Irish immigrants mostly belonged to County Donegal, although some also came from other parts of Ireland.
To this day, the name Rafferty is strongly associated with Irish heritage, although there are also Raffertys of Scottish and English descent. The name is often seen as a mark of an Irish identity, and has become a symbol of pride in Irish heritage.
Rafferty is a name rich in history, culture and tradition. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of will of those who have borne it, and in the Irish spirit of getting up and moving on. The Raffertys of today, whether Irish or not, continue to embody the ideals of a people and a heritage that has endured through time.
Order DNA origin analysisRafferty: Where does the name Rafferty come from?
The last name Rafferty is believed to have originated in Ireland, and is still quite common there today. However, as Irish emigrants spread out to other parts of the world throughout the centuries, the last name has become widespread.
The United States is now home to many Raffertys, and the last name is most common in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. In 2019, the Rafferty name was ranked 3,448th in popularity for boys born in the US. It can also be found in England, and is particularly common in West Yorkshire.
The Rafferty last name is a patronymic name, which means it is derived from a father's given name. Some variants of the Rafferty name are Raffert, Rafferte, Rauferty, Raufaru, and Reaffert. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic "O'Raithbheartaigh" or "Raithbertach," which are both derived from the Irish personal name Raithbert or Rodbert.
Today, the Rafferty last name can be found in many parts of the world, particularly in North America and Europe.
Variations of the surname Rafferty
The surname Rafferty is believed to have originated in Ireland, within the province of Ulster. The variants and spellings of this surname include Rafferty, Raffertey, Raffety, Raffarty, O'Rafferty, O’Rafferty, and O Rafferty.
The O prefix is used to denote a descendant of a specific ancestor and is commonly used in Irish surnames. It is believed that the prefix O was added to some of the Rafferty surname spellings when individuals emigrated from the old country to the United States. As a result of this, some people may use “O” to identify their descent rather than the ‘Mac’ or ‘Mc’ prefix which is traditionally used to denote / trace lineage.
The spelling of Rafferty has also migrated outside of Ireland and can be found in countries such as Great Britain, Italy and Canada. In Italy, the surname is often seen spelled as “Rafferti”, and in Canada, as “Raffertey” and “Raffarty”.
The etymology of Rafferty is suggested to be from the Gaelic “O Reachtabhraigh” - “O Raptry”, meaning ‘the descendant of Raptry’. Raptry is a personal name composed of two elements − radh ‘art’ or ‘ratiom’; and ḃráth ‘prosperity’.
Famous people with the name Rafferty
- Gerry Rafferty, British singer-songwriter (1947-2011).
- Niall Rafferty, Irish footballer.
- Stacey Rafferty, American model, actress, and writer.
- Stephen Rafferty, Irish actor.
- Róisín Rafferty, Irish musician and artist.
- Cillian Rafferty, Irish actor.
- Rory Rafferty, Australian actor and producer.
- Gary Rafferty, Canadian musician.
- Ray Rafferty, American baseball player (1925-2012).
- Sheamus Rafferty, Irish footballer.
- Siobhán Rafferty, Irish poet and short story writer.
- Patrick Rafferty, British football referee.
- Bill Rafferty, American comedian and game show host (1940-2012).
- Siobhán Rafferty, Irish author and academic.
- Helen Rafferty, British actress.
- John Rafferty, Canadian mathematician and computer scientist.
- Terence Rafferty, American film critic and author.
- Malachi Rafferty, Irish physiologist and professor at Trinity College Dublin.
- Jules Rafferty, American singer and songwriter.
- John Rafferty, Australian politician.