The surname O'Malley is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Máille, which translates to "descendant of Máel" (Máel meaning "devoted to God"). The name was most commonly found in the counties of Mayo and Clare in Ireland. The O'Malley clan were a powerful sept (a family or tribe) in medieval Ireland and their influence extended over large parts of Connacht, particularly in County Mayo where they built the mighty fortress of Murrisk Abbey. The anglicized form "Omalley" is less common compared to its more popular variant, "O'Malley".
Learn more about the origin of the last name Omalley
The meaning and origin of the last name Omalley
The surname O'Malley is an anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Máille, which means "descendant of Mael" or "servant of Saint Mael." The name originates from County Clare and County Mayo in Ireland, where the O'Malley clan held significant influence during medieval times. They were a prominent sept of the Dal gCais, a powerful dynasty that ruled much of Munster. The surname O'Malley is most commonly found today in Ireland, but also has Irish American and Canadian communities. Notable figures with the surname include John F. Kennedy Jr., who was married to Carolyn Bessette O'Malley, and basketball player Shane Battier.
Geographical distribution of the last name Omalley
The surname O'Malley is predominantly of Irish origin and is associated with the Gaelic name Ó Maolmhuire, meaning "descendant of Maolmhuire." Historically, the name was most prevalent in County Cork and Kerry in Ireland. Over time, emigration due to famine, economic reasons, and political upheaval led to a global dispersal of people bearing the O'Malley surname. Today, significant populations can be found in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are in states such as California, Massachusetts, and New York, while in Ireland, it remains most common in counties Cork and Kerry. In terms of global distribution, O'Malley ranks 7,261st among the most common surnames, with an estimated 48,032 bearers worldwide.
Variants and spellings of the last name Omalley
The surname O'Malley, which is of Irish origin, has various spellings due to differences in transliteration and transcription over time. Some common variations include: O'Malley, O'Mally, O'Maley, O'Malai, Mac Mhaoiléidh, Mac Mhaille, Mac Mhailghiuis, Mac Maoluidh, and Mac Mhailshuile. The name is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Mhaoiléidigh", which means "descendant of the devoted one". The 'O' at the beginning of the name is a norse prefix meaning "grandson" or "male descendant of". Some people drop this 'O' when anglicizing their names, leading to the aforementioned variations.
Famous people with the last name Omalley
Notable individuals with the surname O'Malley include:
1. Martin O'Malley: An American politician who served as the Mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007 and as the Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
2. Kathleen Sebelius: Born Kathleen Ann O'Malley, she served as the 23rd United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2009 to 2014 under President Barack Obama. Prior to that, she was Governor of Kansas from 2005 to 2009.
3. Jack O'Malley: An American baseball executive who spent over two decades with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He served as team president from 1970 to 1980 and was instrumental in bringing the Dodgers to California in 1958.
4. Maurice "Mo" O'Malley: A Canadian soccer coach who managed various national teams, including Canada's men's and women's teams. He was also a coach in Major League Soccer (MLS) for teams like the Toronto FC and Columbus Crew SC.
5. William J. O'Malley, SJ: An American Jesuit priest who served as the 31st President of Boston College from 1972 to 1987. He was also a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and played a role in the negotiations for the release of American hostages in Iran during the 1979 crisis.
Genealogical research on the last name Omalley
The surname O'Malley originates from Ireland and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Máille, which translates to "descendant of Máel." The surname belongs to the septs of Tirawley, Cenél Conaill, and Ui Fiachrach, all associated with Counties Mayo, Donegal, and Galway. The O'Malley clan was a powerful sept that held significant territories in western Ireland during the Middle Ages. The Anglicized version of the name O'Malley emerged during the Norman invasion of Ireland when the native Irish began adopting English surnames to blend with the English settlers. The O'Malley family is known for several prominent figures, including Richard de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, who was also known as Richard O'Brien and was one of the most powerful lords in Ireland during the Middle Ages. Another famous member of the clan is Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Mhaol), a pirate queen who ruled parts of Connacht in the 16th century.
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