Donoghue, O'Donoghue or O'Donojú is an anglicized form of the Irish language surname Ó Donnchadha or Ó Donnchú.
The name means means "descendant of Donnchadh", a personal name composed of the elements donn "brown-haired [man]" and cath "battle". Spelling variations (which include an initial "Ó" or omit it) include Donoghue, Donaghoe, Donoughe, Donaho, Donahoe, Donough, Donahue, Donahow, Doneghoe, Donehue, Donighue, Donoho, Donohoe, Donahugh, Donohough, Donohow, Donahue, Donohue, Donaughue, Donaghie, Donaghy, Doughue, Dougue, Donihoo and many more. Some of these variations exist also in Northern Ireland and Scotland with the same meaning in Scottish Gaelic as in Irish.
There are several completely different O'Donoghue families in Ireland.
(1) The Ó Donnchadha of Cashel, from the Eóganacht Chaisil, related to the MacCarthys and O'Callaghans. They descend from Donnchad mac Cellacháin, King of Munster.(2) The Ó Donnchadha of Desmond, from the Eóganacht Raithlind, related to the O'Mahonys, prominent in County Kerry and referred to as "O'Donoghue Mór." They descend from Donnchadh mac Domhnall.(3) The Ó Donnchadha of Osraige, from the Clann Conla, related to the Mac Giolla Phádraig dynasty ("the Fitzpatricks") and produced some kings of Osraige, prominent in County Kilkenny and commonly anglicised as Dunphy. They descend from Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic.(4) The Ó Donnchadha of Uí Maine, from the Uí Maine, related to the O'Kellys, prominent in County Galway and County Roscommon.Bernard O'Donoghue, Irish poet and academicCharles Henry O'Donoghue, zoologistDaniel John O'Donoghue, Ontario labour leader and political figureDaniel O'Donoghue, Irish politicianFlorence O'Donoghue, Irish historian and intelligence specialistJohn O'Donoghue (politician), Irish Fianna Fáil politician, former cabinet minister and former Ceann ComhairleJuan O'Donojú, Spanish military officer and last Viceroy of New SpainGeneral Sir Kevin O'Donoghue KCB CBE, the first Chief of Defence Materiel in the United Kingdom Ministry of DefenceKevin O'Donoghue, Artist Educator at Clonkeen CollegeMartin O'Donoghue, Irish economist and Fianna Fáil politicianGeoffrey Paul Vincent O'Donoghue of the GlensPatrick O'Donoghue, Irish-born current Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, EnglandPeter O'Donoghue, herald at the College of Arms in London, EnglandTighe O'DonoghueRoss, Artist and SculptorDaniel P O'Donoghue Principal Lecturer in Geography at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
In entertainment, sports, activismBen O'Donoghue, Australian celebrity chefEd O'Donoghue, Irish Rugby Union playerJohn E. O'Donoghue, Major League Baseball pitcherJohn P. O'Donoghue, Major League Baseball pitcherLowitja O'Donoghue, Aboriginal Australian civil and political rights activistMichael O'Donoghue, Irish-American comedian, writer and occasional performer for Saturday Night LiveNan Joyce née O'Donoghue, Irish Travellers' right activistNeil O'Donoghue, former NFL kickerDanny O'Donoghue, lead singer of the Irish band "The Script"Colin O'Donoghue, Irish actor currently acting at Once Upon A Time