O'Hegarty

O'Hegarty (Irish: Ó hÉigeartaigh) is a Gaelic Irish surname. It is derived from the personal name Éigeartach, which itself means "harsh ruler" or "stern ruler". The prefix "Ó" signifies "descendant of". Therefore, O'Hegarty signifies "descendant of Éigeartach".

The O'Hegarty sept was originally located in County Cork, specifically in the barony of Imokilly. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Ireland, particularly County Donegal.

The surname can also be found, although less commonly, under variations such as Hegarty, Haggerty, and Heagerty. These variations are often the result of anglicization during periods of English rule in Ireland. The degree of variation often depends on the region in Ireland and the historical period in which the family adopted or was assigned the English language version of their name.

People with the surname O'Hegarty and its variations have contributed to various fields, including politics, literature, and sport.