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 academic
Charles Henry O'Donoghue, zoologist
Daniel John O'Donoghue, Ontario labour leader and political figure
Daniel O'Donoghue, Irish politician
Florence O'Donoghue, Irish historian and intelligence specialist
John O'Donoghue (politician), Irish Fianna Fáil politician, former cabinet minister and former Ceann Comhairle
Juan O'Donojú, Spanish military officer and last Viceroy of New Spain
General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue KCB CBE, the first Chief of Defence Materiel in the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence
Kevin O'Donoghue, Artist Educator at Clonkeen College
Martin O'Donoghue, Irish economist and Fianna Fáil politician
Geoffrey Paul Vincent O'Donoghue of the Glens
Patrick O'Donoghue, Irish-born current Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, England
Peter O'Donoghue, herald at the College of Arms in London, England
Tighe O'DonoghueRoss, Artist and Sculptor
Daniel P O'Donoghue Principal Lecturer in Geography at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
In entertainment, sports, activism
Ben O'Donoghue, Australian celebrity chef
Ed O'Donoghue, Irish Rugby Union player
John E. O'Donoghue, Major League Baseball pitcher
John P. O'Donoghue, Major League Baseball pitcher
Lowitja O'Donoghue, Aboriginal Australian civil and political rights activist
Michael O'Donoghue, Irish-American comedian, writer and occasional performer for Saturday Night Live
Nan Joyce née O'Donoghue, Irish Travellers' right activist
Neil O'Donoghue, former NFL kicker
Danny O'Donoghue, lead singer of the Irish band "The Script"
Colin O'Donoghue, Irish actor currently acting at Once Upon A Time
