DEARY Family History

This is an Irish surname. Recorded in several forms as shown below, it is a form of the original Gaelic name O' Daighre. This means literally the male descendant of the fiery chief! The surname is widespread in Ulster and North Connacht, particularly Derry, where it was borne by a notable ecclesiastical family. The name as Derry or Deary may derive from O' Daighre, but can also be from O' Doireidh, which has an unproven origin. More confusion arises because both names were originally located in the same area of North West Ulster; the O' Daighre being of Derry Church, with the O' Doireidh being of Donaghmore.