Crotty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crotty (and variations O’Crotty, Crottee etc.) are anglicisations of the Irish name O’Crotaigh – ‘Descendant of Crotach’. The name dates from medieval times, to the pre-Norman kingdom of Thomond ('North Munster') where the Dál gCais (in English: ‘Dalcassian’) clan, centred on the regional rulers - the Ua Briain (O'Brien) family - were dominant. The Crottys were one of eight septs of the O’Briens (i.e. descended via the female line - hence the different surnames). They settled in Western Co.Waterford and Eastern Co.Cork. In common with the O’Briens - and the millions of descendants of the other seven septs - the Crotty sept's likely ultimate common ancestor is Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig (‘Brian Boru’) c.941 – 1014.
The name originates in present-day County Clare, and (despite extensive emigration) is still most common in the general area of the former kingdom of Thomond (i.e. West Waterford, Clare, South Tipperary, parts of Cork and Limerick).
Spelling variations include Crotty, O'Crotty, Crothon, Crotton, Crotone, Crottee, Crottey, O'Crottey, O'Crottee, and O'Crottie.
[edit] Notable People with the Crotty Surname
Kieran Crotty was a Fine Gael TD [Member of the Irish Parliament] for Carlow-Kilkenny for many years.
William Crotty ("Crotty the Robber") was a highwayman who was hanged in Waterford in 1742. Several of his hideouts in the Comeragh Mountains are named after him.
In North America some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: David Crotty, who was naturalized in Pennsylvania in 1779; George Crotty, who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1784; Ellen Crotty, a bonded immigrant who arrived in Massachusetts in 1850.
In Orange County in the state of Florida, Rich Crotty is the current chairman (though his official title is "mayor").
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Crotty (1885-1960) was a notable and fondly-remembered Irish traditional musician from Kilrush, Co.Clare. An annual music festival is held in the town in her memory.
Gary Crotty is an esteemed attorney and holds the position of NASCAR Board Member and Corporate Counsel, as well as Sr. Vice President and General Counsel of International Speedway Corporation. He is considered a pioneer in the world of motorsports legal theory.
