Surname Tuohy - Meaning and Origin
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Tuohy: What does the surname Tuohy mean?
The surname Tuohy originates from Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic "Ó Tuathaigh", meaning "descendant of Tuathach", a personal name referring to a ruler or chieftain. It is often anglicized as "Touhy", "Toohy", or "Toohey". It was particularly associated with County Clare but can be found in other areas of Ireland as well. Like other Irish names, the original Gaelic form and its English renderings have been used interchangeably, and there could be several variations and spellings, depending on geographic location or family preference. A famous carrier of this surname is Leigh Anne Tuohy from whom the story of the film "The Blind Side" is based upon. Remember that surname meanings can sometimes be speculative in nature and rely on complex etymology that may alter over time and across different regions.
Order DNA origin analysisTuohy: Where does the name Tuohy come from?
Today, the last name Tuohy is most commonly found in Ireland. The name originated in County Wexford, located in southeast Ireland, near Wexford Harbor and Rosslare. Tuohy is a variation of the Gaelic name O'Tuothaigh, meaning “descendant of Tuothaigh” or “son of Tuothaigh.”
The Tuohy's were prominent in County Wexford from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. Many were successful and well educated, though the family suffered hardship during the Great Famine. By the mid-1900s, many Tuohy's had migrated to the U.S., as well as other parts of the world such as Australia and the United Kingdom.
Today, Tuohy is one of the top twenty most common surnames in Ireland. It ranks #9 on the list of 1,000 most popular Irish surnames. Tuohy is particularly present in Dublin and the surrounding areas. For instance, Dublin 15 has the highest rate of Tuohys in Ireland, with over 300 individuals living in the area.
The Tuohy family is also well-known in the United States. American football coach Sean Tuohy, Sr. is possibly the most famous Tuohy of all. Thanks to the boundless inspiration of “The Blind Side” movie, Sean Tuohy is known for having adopted Michael Oher, one of the most successful college football players of all time.
The Tuohy family is recognized for its philanthropic works and charitable contributions, much of which has helped to shape communities in Ireland, the U.S, and abroad. The Tuohy legacy lives on in many places around the world today.
Variations of the surname Tuohy
The surname Tuohy is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Tuaithigh.
Variants of the name Tuohy include:
Tohy, Touhy, Toey, Towie, Towey, O'toohey, O'toohie, O'toohy, Tohie, Tohie, Tohy, Towhy, Tofee, Tougay, Tufee, Tuohy, Tuolhy, Tully, and Tullyhue.
Variations of spellings for Tuohy include:
Touhey, Tohey, Touhey, Toway, Toweigh, Touhie, Tohey, Tuhey, Towie, Tuffy, Tufee, Tooey, Tukay, Tuuhy, Tuhy, Tuoh, Tuohey, Tuoh, Touhey, Touhy, Toohey, Toohey, Toohy, Tuhie, Tully, Tullyhue.
Surnames with the same origin as Tuohy include:
O'Toole, O'Tolle, O'Toole, O'Tulley, Tuhilly, Tuite, Tuitey, Toole, Tully, Tally, Tulle, Tally, and Tallon.
These surnames are all derived from the Irish name Ó Tuaithigh which translates as ‘descendant of Tuathal’. Tuathal was an Irish King from the early Middle Ages. The surname is most common in Ireland’s north and west, where it is also the second most common surname. Other variations of Tuohy can be found in many other places around the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Tuohy
- Leigh Anne Tuohy: Best known as the loving adoptive mother of NFL quarterback Michael Oher in the book and film, The Blind Side.
- Michael Oher Tuohy: NFL football player for the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, the subject of both the book and film The Blind Side.
- Sean Tuohy: Leigh Anne's husband and Michael Oher's adoptive father, who is also featured in The Blind Side.
- Colm Tuohy: Actor, director, and producer who has appeared in films and television shows such as House, Castle, The Mentalist, and 24.
- Bronagh Tuohy: Sister of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who serves as a film executive producer.
- Sean Tuohy, Jr.: Son of Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, who is also a basketball player.
- Collins Tuohy: Daughter of Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy and also featured in The Blind Side.
- Siobhan Tuohy: Sister of Leigh Anne, Sean, and Bronagh Tuohy, who is also an executive producer.
- Mia Tuohy: Daughter of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy and sister of the above.
- Linda Tuohy: Producer, writer, and humanitarian who has won several awards for her work in film, television, and philanthropy.