Toraidhe is an old Irish word meaning “the pursued” or “band of outlaws”. The Toraidhe were the remains of an Irish rebellion; individuals who were sought by the crown forces after the 1798 rebellion specifically.
“Then, during the exclusion crisis of 1679-1681, those who wished to disinherit the Catholic heir presumptive to the British throne [known as Exclusionists or Whigs] used Tory as a disparaging nickname for their opponents.
“When that faction eventually coalesced into a political party, it kept the Tory name. The present day Conservative Party in the UK is a descendant of that original party, though it no longer wholeheartedly embraces the Tory nickname.”1
Philadelphia Hurling and Camogie Club 