Surname Foaly - Meaning and Origin

Foaly: What does the surname Foaly mean?

The surname Foaly has Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic surname O'Foghlai. This surname is associated with descendants of the Foghlai family which was part of the larger kingdom of Ui Maine.

The etymology of the surname is believed to come from the group's original name of O'Foghladha which would roughly translate to 'descendant of Foghladha.' While the exact meaning of the name is unknown it is thought to have its roots in the old Irish phrase 'foghail,' which means 'foraged/hunted.' This was perhaps in reference to the agricultural nature of the Foghlai family, who were known for their farming and livestock rearing.

The Foghlai name is mainly associated with the Galway region in Ireland, and the most popular spelling of the name today is 'Foley'. Over the centuries many different spellings have been used including 'Foalie', 'Foleye', and 'Foaly'. However, these are now less common versions of the original name.

The most recent geographical distribution of the surname according to research shows a few possible locations for its origin. The most likely places are Ireland, Scotland, and North America. The most common locations of those with the surname Foaly today are still believed to be in Ireland, although there are some worldwide locations such as New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.

Foaly: Where does the name Foaly come from?

The last name Foaly is most common today within certain pockets of Irish and Scottish communities. The origin of the Foaly surname is believed to be derived from a Gaelic-language term which roughly translates into “descendant of Fuadhaigh”, Fuadhaigh being a personal name that was derived from “fodh”, meaning “stony place”. This suggests that the original Foalys were associated with an area which was known for its stony landscape.

The surname is recorded more frequently in Irish and Scottish census records further south than in Northern Ireland. While the density of the Foaly name there is still quite low, it is more numerous in counties such as Cork, Clare, Galway and Wexford than in Northern Ireland. This is primarily due to increased migration southwards during the 19th century.

The scattered population, with those clans dispersed across Ireland and neighboring Scotland, suggests that the Foalys are predominantly of a similar descent. Links to a shared Gaelic heritage are also suggested by the research done on the surname, as present close relatives of the Foalys possess surnames such as Foley, Fahey and Foy.

Despite striving to remain geographically close with fellow members of the Foaly clan, the migration of the Foalys to overseas countries during the late 19th century and during the early 20th century, including those Foalys who traveled to England, Canada, Australia and the United States, means that the Foaly name has spread further than the British Isles. Nowadays, despite its rarity, Foaly can be found in numerous countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Foaly

Foaly is a surname of Irish origin and has several variants and alternate spellings. The most common variants and alternate spellings of this surname are Foly, Fole, Fowle, Foel, Fowly, Falley, Fowley, Foiley, Foley and Fowlies.

The surname Foaly is derived from the Gaelic phrase “feadhla”, meaning “valley” or “wood”. This phrase is the basis for various other surnames including Folan, Faolain, Fowlin, Folan, Fallon, Foylan, Fialan, Fallone, Foillon, and Foylan.

It is also likely that the surname Foaly is a variation of the name Foley, which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O'Faoilidh". This name is derived from the phrase "o faoilidhe", which means "one who is vigilant". The variants and alternate spellings of this surname include O’Foley, Folloy, O’Fallon, Follie, Follon, Foowell, Fowell, Folyley, Fule, Fool and Fowill.

Given the multiplicity of its variants and alternate spellings, Foaly is a popular surname found among many Irish families, particularly those from County Limerick and County Cork.

Famous people with the name Foaly

• Ava Foaly: Irish singer-songwriter, dancer and choreographer.
• Michael Foaly: Irish actor.
• Stephen Foaly: Irish Olympic athlete and former World Champion hurdler.
• Marcus Foaly: Professional tennis player from Ireland.
• Ciaran Foaly: Irish rugby union player.
• Cleo Foaly: English actress and former child star.
• Roger Foaly: American chemist, professor and respected author in the field of biochemistry and organic chemistry.
• Rick Foaly: American novelist and short story writer.
• Alfred Foaly: English rock and prog rock bass guitarist.
• Deborah Foaly: Irish vocalist, songwriter and producer.
• William Foaly: American sculptor, painter and photographer.
• Henry Foaly: British concert violinist and professor.
• Kevin Foaly: American blues and jazz guitarist and vocalist.
• Samantha Foaly: Irish folk and traditional singer.
• Justin Foaly: Canadian country singer and songwriter.
• Kristina Foaly: Former professional cyclist from the United Kingdom.
• Ashley Foaly: American professional golfer.
• Neil Foaly: Irish former Olympic athlete and runner.
• Nicole Foaly: Canadian Paralympic swimmer.
• Eva Foaly: Mexican painter and sculptor.

Other surnames

Foaley