ODonoghue

ODonoghue is a surname of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Donnchadha, meaning "descendant of Donnchadh." The given name Donnchadh itself is formed from donn, meaning brown or dark-haired, and cath, meaning battle. In Irish history, the Ó Donnchadha were a number of kin groups whose lands and titles shifted over time, especially in the southwest of Ireland.

Across the centuries, bearers of the name spread beyond Ireland through emigration. Today O'Donoghue and its variants are found throughout Ireland (with concentrations in Munster), the United Kingdom, and in North America and Australia as a result of migration in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variant spellings include O'Donoghue, O’Donoghue, Donoghue, and, in modern or digital contexts, ODonoghue (without an apostrophe). Other forms such as Donoghue and Donogh may appear, depending on regional orthography and anglicization.

Notable people with the surname include Michael O'Donoghue (1936–1994), American writer and comedian associated with Saturday Night Live, and John O'Donoghue (born 1956), Irish politician. The name is carried by individuals across fields such as politics, arts, sports, and academia, reflecting its long-standing presence in Irish and Irish-descended communities.

See also: Donoghue (surname); Ó Donnchadha.