Source: http://www.geocities.com/heartland/prairie/8578/
| Translations | Variations |
| There seem to be two stories of the origin of the Conaty name. The first dates the name much earlier than the second. One is right, one is not. If you know, please let us know. |
| Version 1 from Thomas J. Conaty |
| As you see throughout this family genealogy, the surname "Conaty" is spelled several ways. This was because the emigrant Hugh spoke Irish (or Celtic) and did not speak English. A lot was lost in translation. Only the educated Irish in Ireland or the English settlers or landowners spoke English. The variations today are: Conaghty, Connaghty, Connarty, and Connerty among others. The original Irish "O'Connaghty" name is from an old Briefney family still present in County Cavan in the north of the Republic of Ireland. It is derived from the word "descendant of Connacht." Connacht was one of the four original Provinces of Ireland. Briefne (Briefney) was an ancient territory developed in prehistoric times that encompassed the counties of Cavan and West Leitrim. The territory was in existence until the break-up of the Gaelic Order in the 16th Century. |
| The original Gaelic name can be traced back to Tuathal O'Connachtaigh who was the bishop of Briefne and lived in a town called Enaghdune which is now the parish of Annadown in County Galway. He died in the year 1152. Flan O'Connachtaigh, a descendant, succeeded him as bishop. He died in 1231. |
| During the 13th Century the name was "anglo-sized" to O'Conaghty. By this time, the family was divided and some of them resettled in other parts of the country, notably in Cabrach in County Mayo and in Tieragh in County Sligo on the West coast of Ireland. Some of the family became landowners and farmers, while other descendants continued a tradition of work in the ministry, and later in the area of education. |
| Version 2 from Michael J. Conaty |
| The modern surname Conaty, comes from the Ulster dialect of the Irish Language. The original Connachtaigh dates back to the time of Cromwell's invasion of Ireland in 1649. |
| Upon their arrival in the province of Ulster, Cromwell's army began seizing land from the indigenous Irish inhabitants. His infamous choice of "To Hell or Connacht" was given to the displaced Irish. Connacht, being the western-most province of Ireland, is famous for it's rocky soil and generally inhospitable cliffs and mountains. Giving the Irish the Cromwellian choice was condemning them to death whatever the decision. |
| After Cromwell's return to England, and subsequent beheading by the English people, a group of people who had chosen Connacht as their fate, made their way back to "Catholic" Ulster, the current day County Cavan. Upon their return to Ulster, they were, as a group, called O hConnachtaigh, literally "Men out of Connacht". |
| The most common spelling of the family name seems to be Conaty. However there are a number of variations that are in use. This is not a definative listing, but it includes some of the variations and spellings that are either in use to day or have been at one time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
