The history of the distinguished Irish family name Daughtry belonged to the green valleys and mountains of the Emerald Isle from very ancient times. Documentary evidence in the books by notable historians O'Hart, McLysght and O'Brien, the Four Masters, baptismals, parish records, and ancient land grants, were researched by historians and they found that the family name Daughtry was first revealed in Inishowen where they had been seated from ancient times.

Variations in the spelling of the name were found. The surname was from time to time spelt Dockeray, Dockerty, Dockharty, Dogherty, Dougharty, Dougherty, Doherty, Docherty, Docharty, MacDevitt, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Also, translations from the Gaelic varied, and there were preferences for different spelling variations usually from a diversion of the family, or for religious reasons, or sometimes for patriotic reasons. Church officials and scribes spelt the name as it sounded, sometimes several different ways in the lifetime of the same person. The original Irish name was O Dochartaigh, derived from the word docharlach, which means destructive (based on the battle actions at Tyr Conaill and is one of Europe's oldest surviving surnames: est. 880 A.D.) Given the Celtic propensity for belligerence, it was probably bestowed as a name of high honor to a particularly destructive warrior, whose descendants then adopted it as the appellation for the entire clan.

The great Gaelic name Daughtry emerged in the county of ~Inishowen, and were one of the principal Irish clans to resist the Norman invasion of 1170. The Doherty's were known as Lords of ~Inishowen, directly descended from the distinguished Irish General King Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was descended from the Heremon line of Irish Kings. Sir Cahir O'Dogherty was the Chief who resisted the Cromwellian invasion of the 17th century. The Dogherty stronghold was at Burt Castle (picture at right), which was one of the main focuses of Irish resistance. In 1783, John Doherty became Lord Chief Justice of Ireland after the Clan territories were forfeited and granted to the Earls of Donegal. The MacDevitts descend from David O'Doherty, Chief of the Clann Conaill, who was killed in 1208; the MacDevitt's settled in ~Inishowen. Notable amongst the family at this time was Charles Doherty, Canadian Minister of Justice, Co-Signer of the Treaty of Versailles.

However you choose to spell "Doherty", and there are at least half a dozen versions apart from with or without the O, it remains a Donegal name. It is believed to be one of the oldest hereditary surnames, and translated from the Irish it is thought to mean obstructive. Ranking fifteenth in the list of 100 most common Irish surnames, the motto on their coat of arms is Ar nDúthcas (for my inheritance). According to the O Dogherty pedigree of 5 November 1770 in the Genealogical Office in Dublin, they are descended from one of the eight sons of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the legendary chieftain who was killed jousting in France in AD 405. Nial is reputed to be responsible for bringing the young Patrick to Ireland as a slave. Four of Niall's sons settled in Meath. The eldest, Laogarius, was Ireland's first Christian monarch, surely the very king who saw Patrick light his Pascal fire on the Hill of Slane. Niall's four younger sons went north to Ulster and were known as the Hy Nialls. They reigned there for over 600 years until 1002, when Brian Boru assumed the high kingship. The names of the descendants of Niall are renowned in Irish history. They include the O Neills who were princes and earls of Tir Eogan, the O Donnells, princes and earls of Tirconnell, and the O Melaghlins, kings and princes of Meath. The O Dohertys who descend from Niall owned the Inishowen Peninsula until, to quote their genealogical document, "the accession of King James I to the throne of England and Ireland in 1603, at which period six counties of Ulster were escheated to the Crown and granted to Scotch Planters". From the eighth to the seventeenth centuries there was a constant power struggle between the clans and in the twelfth century, against the English invaders - few Normans penetrated as far as Ulster. For a while the O Dohertys maintained good relations with the English. Cunningly they used them to play O Neill against O Donnell. Many times they preserved their land, or their lives, by pretending allegiance to Henry VIII, or Elizabeth I. Thus they acquired their knighthoods.

The great Irish potato famine of 1845 caused many Irish clansmen to sail from Ireland to North America. Among the first migrants was Bridget Dogherty, who settled in Boston, Ma in 1849. Alexander, Charles, Cornelius, Daniel, Edward, Francis, George, James, John, Patrick, Thomas, Doherty, all arrived in Philadelphia, Pa between 1840 and 1860, and many many more of various spellings. In Newfoundland, John Dougherty settled in St. John's in 1759; George Doherty from County Wexford, was married in St. John's in 1797; William settled in Barrow Harbour in 1863; Catherine settled in Harbour Grace in 1869; Dennis was a farmer in Burin in 1871.

During the War of Independence some were loyal to the cause, others, were loyal to the Crown, and moved north into Canada, becoming known as the United Empire Loyalists and being granted lands on the banks of the St. Lawrence and the Niagara Peninsula. During the American revolution many Irish formed the Irish Brigades in the great struggle, North versus South. Meanwhile, the family name Daughtry produced many prominent people: Dennis Dougharty was the Bishop of Buffalo, and Paul Dougherty was the Painter of New England Landscapes.

The works of McLysaght, the Irish Herald of Dublin Castle, were most helpful and influential in isolating this family history.

The ancient Coat of Arms is: silver, with a red deer and three silver stars on a green stripe at the top. This coat of arms can also be linked to many Irish names, including the MacDevitt, McDaids, McDades and the Bradleys, to name a few. This coat of arms is broken into sections; the mantling (helmet with feathers) signifies the Docherty's participation in the Crusades. The green bar with three stars at the top of the actual shield has two meanings: it's color (green) represents hope, joy and loyalty in love. The three stars represent nobility. The rampany red stag (aka: deer) represents "one who will not fight unless provoked", peace and harmony. It's red color signifies the family status as warriors, it's magnanimity, and it's military strength. The scroll underneath the shield contains the family motto, written in ancient Gaelic.The ancient family motto for this distinguished name is: "Ar nDuthchas", which means "for my inheritance" or "for my heritage".

The O'Dochartaigh (Doherty) Clann website is HERE.