Dochertie

Dochertie is a surname of Scottish origin. It is believed to be a habitational name, likely derived from a place name that has since become obsolete or significantly altered. The name's roots are traced to the Gaelic word "doch," meaning "small," and potentially "ert" or "airt," referring to a direction or region. This suggests an origin associated with a small area or a specific point of reference in a particular location.

The Dochertie surname is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. While its exact historical distribution is difficult to pinpoint due to ancient record-keeping practices, it appears to have a long-standing presence in certain geographical areas. Like many Scottish surnames, the Dochertie family name would have originally been associated with a clan or a specific landholding. Over centuries, as populations moved and expanded, the name spread throughout Scotland and eventually to other parts of the world, including countries with significant Scottish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Genealogists suggest that variations in spelling may have occurred over time due to illiteracy and regional pronunciations.