From the Middle Irish word toraidhe.
Best Answer: The British Tory Party was one of a series of political parties that existed in the Kingdom of Great Britain (originally in England) from the late 17th century to the early 19th century, when it was replaced by the Conservative Party, whose members are sometimes still referred to as Tories. They preferred to be known as Protectionists or even to revive the older term 'Tory' as an official name. However, by 1859, the Peelites (Peel's Conservative supporters) joined the Whigs and Radicals to form the Liberal Party. Posts: n/a. As I recall: The word Tory comes from the Irish toraighe, which I think means highwayman. It was applied as a term of contempt to the supporters of the Stuart line who opposed the Exclusion Bill in the latter part of the seventeenth century. The Whigs took their name, or rather had the name applied to them, from whiggamore, which meant cattle-driver, and was a term of contempt applied to Scots Presbyterians; it was applied to those Whigs who supported Exclusion. There were two Tory ministries under James II; the first led by Lord Rochester, the second by Lord Belasyse. A significant faction took part in the ousting of James II with the Whigs to defend the Anglican Church or definitive protestantism. The term Tory or Loyalist was used in the American Revolution for those who remained loyal to the British Crown. Since early in the 18th century, Tory had described those upholding the right of the King over Parliament. The word Tory derives from the Middle Irish word toraidhe; tóraidhe Modern irish: torai, tóraí outlaw robber, or brigand From the irish, word toir, tóir meaning pursuit since outlaws. were pursued men The term Tory or Loyalist was used in the American Revolution for those who remained loyal to the British Crown. Since early in the 18th century, Tory had described those upholding the right of the King over Parliament. The Tory political faction originally emerged within the Parliament of England to uphold the legitimist rights of James, Duke of York, to succeed his brother Charles II to the throne. The term Tory or Loyalist was used in the American Revolution for those who remained loyal to the British Crown. Since early in the 18th century, Tory had described those upholding the right of the King over Parliament. By definition, Liberals want to change things while Conservatives want to maintain the status quo. So it should be no surprise that the word Tory is from the Celtic words for “the king’s party” and “partisans of the king,” both of which were derived from the Irish word toruigh, meaning “to ambush.”. Formed in 1679, the Tory Party became the Conservative Party in 1832, but their opponents continue to call them Tories.  The word Tory derives from the Middle Irish word toraidhe; tóraidhe Modern irish: torai, tóraí outlaw robber, or brigand From the irish, word toir, tóir meaning pursuit since outlaws. Were pursued men it was originally used to Refer to an irish outlaw and Later applied To confederates or. royalists in arms The term Tory or Loyalist was used in the American Revolution for those who remained loyal to the British Crown. Since early in the 18th century, Tory had described those upholding the right of the King over Parliament. The Tories, a name given to them by the Whigs, were first led by Danby when Charles II was king. The party was formed in the last months of the Cavalier Parliament and the Exclusion Crisis. The names ‘Tory’ or ‘Tories’ were initially terms of abuse used by Whigs – also initially a term of abuse – and it meant ‘Irish Catholic Bandits’. However, under the effective leadership of Danby the name was adopted by the party.
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080420033012AA5x9jC http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=218557 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory http://superbeefy.com/why-are-conservatives-called-tories-where-did-the-term-originate-and-what-does-it-mean/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/stuart-england/the-tories/
where does the name tory come from