Surname Dougher - Meaning and Origin

Dougher: What does the surname Dougher mean?

The last name Dougher is a English/Scottish name that is derived from the word “dochgar” in Gaelic, which means “descendant of the dark one.” This surname has been traced back to Ireland, Scotland, and England during the Middle Ages and is believed to be one of the oldest surnames. It most likely originated with the Dougher clan, a group of warriors and hunters believed to be descended from an early Irish chieftain.

The Dougher surname is also connected to an ancient Irish legend The Legend of Dohchairs. According to the story, a brave knight, Dohchairs, led seven warriors against a fierce group of attackers. They successfully defended their small community, proving indomitable courage and strength of spirit in the face of adversity. As a result of their efforts, the Dougher clan was formed as a permanent tribute to Dohchairs.

The Dougher surname is seen in many parts of the world, including the British Isles, North America, and Australia. It can be found in records dating back to the twelfth century, where many of the earliest individuals with the Dougher surname were shipped off as English and Scottish settlers. Later, the name was passed down through generations of families, with each generation ensuring the Dougher lineage.

Today, the Dougher surname is still remarkably popular and has been adopted by many different individuals both in the diaspora and in their ancestral homelands. No matter where a Dougher resides, they are sure to know that they carry the weight of an inspiring historical legacy that has endured centuries of adventures.

Dougher: Where does the name Dougher come from?

The last name Dougher is a fairly uncommon surname in the United States today. Primarily found in the Midwestern region of the country, Dougher is most popular in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. It is also well-represented in the northwest, with concentrations in Montana, Washington, and Oregon. It is believed to be of Irish descent and is thought to have originally been spelled Dougherty.

The Dougher name is mostly concentrated in the Midwest and northern northwest of the United States, but can be found scattered throughout the country. A quick online search yields Doughers in California, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and multiple other states. A search for foreign countries brings up Doughers in Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Australia.

It is possible to trace the Dougher family tree back as far as the early 1800s. According to records, the majority of the Doughers were located in the midwestern United States during the height of the surname’s popularity. Early records also indicate that many of the original Doughers moved from Ireland to the United States in search of fortune, settling primarily in the Midwestern states.

Today, the Dougher name is not nearly as pervasive as it was in the early 19th century, but the surname remains in circulation. The Dougher name is stronger in certain areas, particularly in the Midwestern and northern northwest regions of the United States. Additionally, there are several branches of the Doughers in the world today, each carrying on the family name.

Variations of the surname Dougher

The surname Dougher is a variant of the Irish surname Mac Dhughaigh. This surname is derived from the Gaelic synonym for son of a warrior, Mac Duighac, and is most prevalent in Northern and Eastern Ireland. Its variants and spellings include Mac Dhughaigh, MacDhuighe, MacDoigh, MacDhuige, MacDhoigh, MacDhughaigh, MacDhoige, MacDhuige, Dougherty, Daugher, Doughtery, Daugherty, Doughtery, D'Augherty, and Dougharty.

The variants of Mac Dhughaigh appear to stem from the fact that the name began being used in different dialects and languages of Ireland, as well as Scotland and Northern England. Variants also began as the Anglicized version spread further from its original homeland. After the Strongbow settlement of Ireland almost a thousand years ago, the surname began being found across the British Isles.

In Scotland, the variants Mac Dod and Mac Dodie appear to be related to the Dougher surname, with its modern spelling of Dod indicating an even older derivation. In Wales the surnames corresponding to Dougher might include Dumbarton and MacDuffet, which are two principal families ofiona the Welsh-Irish dynasty in the 12th century.

The Dougher surname is particularly associated with County Donegal, Donegal, and the surrounding areas. There, the Mac Dhughaigh variant is strongly preferred and is found in parts of Belfast, County Antrim, and County Armagh.

In summary, the Dougher surname is derived from Mac Dhughaigh, with variants that have spread across great parts of England and Scotland, and maintain a strong presence in Ireland. The other variants and spellings associated with this name are MacDhuighe, MacDoigh, MacDhuige, MacDhoigh, MacDhughaigh, MacDhoige, MacDhuige, Dougherty, Daugher, Doughtery, Daugherty, Doughtery, D'Augherty, and Dougharty.

Famous people with the name Dougher

• Dougher Smith: Singer, songwriter, actor, and television personality
• Paul Dougher: Football player for the NFL’s Boston Patriots
• J. C. Dougher: Aeronautical engineer, founder of Orbital Dynamics Group
• Ken Dougher: Actor who starred in the 1967 cult classic “The Wild Angels”
• Shannon Dougher: American journalist and editor
• Wayne Dougher: Actor who had roles in popular films such as “Babe” and “The Italian Job”
• Kevin Dougher: American film and television director
• Steve Dougher: Highly successful business executive and philanthropist
• Kyle Dougher: Young American professional surfer
• Robert Dougher: Award-winning poet from North Carolina
• Deborah Dougher: Executive producer of “Where Jesus Walked”
• Herb Dougher: Former mayor of Winder, Georgia
• Todd Dougher: Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer
• Donnie Dougher: Musician and guitarist, formerly of the “Power Pop” group “The Plush Instinct”
• Harry Dougher: High school basketball coach from Illinois
• Lynn Dougher: Acclaimed playwright and novelist
• Lauren Dougher: Award-winning actress who starred in the movie “Butterfly Effect”
• Jerome Dougher: U.S. Senate-confirmed district judge in Mississippi
• Christy Dougher: Star of the TLC reality series “Bling It On”
• Ron Dougher: Professor of early Christian history at Indiana Wesleyan University

Other surnames

DoughertyDoughtenDoughtieDoughtonDoughty