Surname Hallissey - Meaning and Origin

Hallissey: What does the surname Hallissey mean?

Hallissey is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Irish Gaelic Ó hAilgheasa, meaning “descendant of Ailgheas”. Ailgheas is derived from the ancient Irish root word ail, meaning “rock”. This lends the surname a meaning of “the descendant of the rock”.

Over the centuries, the name Hallissey has enjoyed a variety of variant spellings, such as Halsy, Hullesy, and Halassey. It is found most commonly in the province of Leinster in Ireland, but is also seen in various other locations.

The Hallissey surname is associated with a colorful history and cultural significance. Though some members of the Hallissey clan left Ireland for a new life in the United States during the Great Famine, most remain in Ireland to this day. Those Hallisseys who still inhabit Ireland are part of a larger extended family that take great pride in their heritage. The Hallissey name is frequently shared by successful politicians, scholars, athletes, and philanthropists alike.

The Hallissey surname serves as a reminder of the enduring resilience of the Irish people. The strength and courage of the Hallisseys throughout the ages is a testament to their collective courage and determination. Even today the Hallissey name is associated with achievement, courage, and strength.

Hallissey: Where does the name Hallissey come from?

Hallissey is an Irish surname originating from the Protestant Anglo-Norman families who arrived in Ireland in 1169. The Hallissey surname has a strong presence in County Kerry, Ireland and can be found more prevalently in Killarney, Tralee and Teeraglin.

Today, people with the last name Hallissey can be found both in Ireland and abroad. In Ireland, the surname continues to be a common name located mainly in Kerry and Cork. In addition, Hallissey families can be found in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

In the United States, records from the late 19th century note the arrival of immigrants from Ireland bringing with them the surname Hallissey. America is listed as one of the main countries where the name is still held in considerable numbers even though the name has been adapted in some cases to be Hill, Hallissey's, Hallissy or other variants and spellings.

In Canada, Hallissey is also a well established Irish name. A major contribution to the Hallissey name in Canada is directly linked to the Irish immigration to Canada in the mid 1800’s. Records from that time note that there were significant numbers of Hallissey families leaving the County of Kerry for Canada.

Taken all together, the name Hallissey is common today in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Hallissey

The surname Hallissey is an anglicized form of the Irish surname "Ó hAilgheasa". It is derived from the Old Irish personal name "Ailgi", meaning "noble".

The variant spellings of the surname Hallissey may include Hallissy, Alley, Alleyo, Healy, Heal, Healey, Haly, Halley, Lealy, Aillis, O'Ailgheasa, O'Halley, O'Healey, and O'Heal.

Hallissey is an uncommon name and is believed to only have a presence in Ireland. It has been recorded in Limerick, Clare, Galway, Tipperary, Wexford, and Wicklow.

The surnames Ó hAilgheasa, O'Ailgheasa, Aillis and O'Halley are all derivatives of Hallissey. These surnames were anglicized by the British at the time of the plantations.

The surname Healy has a similar origin to Hallissey, but may have a separate origin in some cases. Healy emerged as a shorter version of Healy, which is derived from the Irish surname "Ó hEalaighthe". This name is derived from the Old Irish word "eala", meaning "art".

The surname Lealy is also derived from the surname Hallissey, although it is of a more English spelling. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Leala", which means "trust" or "loyal".

Other variants of the surname Hallissey which may have separate origins include Healey, Haly, and Halley. It is possible that these surnames may also have a separate origin from Hallissey, as they are thought to be derived from the Old English personal name "'Hala", which means “dry” or “scorched”.

Famous people with the name Hallissey

• Edward Hallissey: radio presenter from Manchester, best known for presenting the BBC World Service's 'Outlook' and 'The World Today'.
• Maureen Hallissey: Irish actress and novelist who has appeared in several television series, including Shameless and Coronation Street.
• Stephen Hallissey: professional jazz trumpeter based in Philadelphia.
• Sean Hallissey: Irish footballer who plays for Cork City FC, and was captain of both the Irish Under-21 and Under-23 teams.
• Barbara Hallissey: popular British actress who was well known for her roles in many series, including EastEnders and Cold Feet.
• Thomas Hallissey: an Irish composer and conductor, who has written works for both traditional orchestra and traditional Irish instruments.
• John Hallissey: American pianist and vocalist, best known for his work with popular jazz and fusion bands in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Owen Hallissey: retired English footballer who was part of the 1990 World Cup squad and later coached in various teams.
• Mary Hallissey: Irish folk singer, songwriter and musician who often performs at weddings and other events in the Galway area.
• Emma Hallissey: Scottish actress who has appeared in several television series, requiring her to play a range of roles from American accents to a frightened and paranoid woman.

Other surnames

Hallissy