Raftery Explained

Raftery is a surname originating in Ireland, predominantly in County Mayo, County Galway and County Roscommon.^[1] Edward MacLysaght observes that 'Raftery, sometimes confused with Rafferty, is quite a different name', originating as 'O'Reachtaire', 'reacht' meaning 'decree'.^[2]

Famous Rafterys

• Adrian Raftery (born 1955), Irish and American statistician and sociologist
• Adrian Raftery (author) (born 1971), Australian author, journalist, businessman and lecturer
• Andrew Raftery (born 1962), American contemporary printmaker, painter and arts educator
• Antoine Ó Raifteiri (Anthony Raftery) (blind Irish language poet)
• Barry Raftery (1944–2010), Irish archaeologist and Celtic scholar
• Bill Raftery (born 1943), American basketball analyst and former college basketball coach
• Mary Raftery (1957–2012), Irish investigative journalist, filmmaker and writer
• Pat Raftery (disambiguation), several people with this name
• Peter Raftery (1929–1996), High Commissioner to Botswana
• Ronan Raftery, Irish actor
• Tom Raftery (born 1933), Irish politician
• Tom Raftery (baseball) (1881–1954), American baseball player
• W. C. Raftery (1887–1965), American football, basketball and baseball coach

Notes and References

1. Book of Irish Families, great & small, vol. VI: The Families of County Galway, Ireland, Michael C. O'Laughlin, Irish Genealogical Foundation 1998, p. 149
2. Irish Families: Their Names, Arms and Origins, Edward MacLysaght, Irish Academic Press, 1985, p. 141