Origin of the Rafferty Surname
The Rafferty surname is of European origin (European). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #3,802 with 9,311 Americans (3.16 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Rafferty traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Rafferty |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #3,802 |
| US Count (2010) | 9,311 |
| Per 100K People | 3.16 |
| First Letter | R |
Ethnic Distribution of Rafferty
Among 9,311 Americans named Rafferty, the largest self-reported group is White (95.44%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Rafferty Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Rafferty moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Rafferty family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Rafferty Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Rafferty Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Rafferty
- ✓ The Rafferty coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Rafferty families live today
- ✓ Notable Rafferty bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Rafferty fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Rafferty
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Rafferty.
Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Rafferty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rafferty
Top Surnames Starting with R
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter R, ranked by population.
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