Loftus is a name of two strands in Ireland — one English and aristocratic, one Gaelic and of the west.
Where does the Loftus name come from?
Loftus is, in one strand, an English locative name from a place meaning “house with an upper floor” or loft, carried to Ireland by a powerful settler family. In another, it is an anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Lachtnáin, a Connacht name, where the similarity of sound led to its being rendered as Loftus.
Loftus in Ireland
The English Loftus family rose to great prominence — Adam Loftus was Archbishop of Dublin and the first provost of Trinity College in the sixteenth century, and the family became Viscounts and later held Rathfarnham Castle. The Gaelic Ó Lachtnáin strand belongs to County Mayo and the west. As a name of both origins, Loftus is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Loftus can be an English name meaning “house with a loft.”
- It also anglicises the Gaelic Ó Lachtnáin of Mayo.
- Adam Loftus was Archbishop of Dublin in the 1500s.
- He was the first provost of Trinity College Dublin.
- The family later held Rathfarnham Castle.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Lee, Langan, and Barry.
Carry the Loftus name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Loftus collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Loftus an Irish surname?
Loftus is found in Ireland both as a prominent English settler name and as an anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Lachtnáin of Mayo.
What does Loftus mean?
As an English name it means “house with a loft”; the Gaelic strand is a separate name rendered by similar sound.
Is there a Loftus family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Loftus products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
