Surname Herlihey - Meaning and Origin

Herlihey: What does the surname Herlihey mean?

The surname Herlihey is of Irish origin and primarily found in counties Kerry and Limerick in Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó hIarfhlatha" which translates to "descendant of Iarfhlaith". The name Iarfhlaith itself is composed of two elements: "iar" meaning "after", and "flaith" translating to "prince", indicating the historical importance or high status of the family in ancient Irish society. It's important to note that the spellings and anglicized variations could have changed over time and migrated, including forms like Herlihy, Herlehy, and O’Herlihy. Therefore, the name Herlihey could potentially mean descendants of the ‘after prince' or 'rear prince', indicating a lineage of authority and nobility. However, like many surnames, the exact meaning can be subject to different interpretations. As such, surnames can reveal interesting insights into family history, lineage, and ancestry.

Herlihey: Where does the name Herlihey come from?

The last name Herlihey is of Irish origin. The name traces back to the Gaelic name "Ó hIarfhlatha," which means “descendant of Iarfhlaith,” a personal name composed of the elements "iar" (after) and "flaith" (ruler). Over time, the name has experienced various phonetic anglicizations, resulting in different spelling versions such as Herlihy, Herlehy, and Herlihey. However, the original roots of the name are rooted in the Munster province of southwestern Ireland.

Today, the name Herlihey is most common in Ireland, specifically in the Munster region. Nevertheless, due to historical Irish diaspora, the name can also be found in countries where Irish people emigrated in considerable numbers, like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It should be noted though, despite its Irish origins and presence in these countries, Herlihey is not considered a particularly common surname overall.

Variations of the surname Herlihey

The surname Herlihey has its origins in Ireland. Variations of this surname are largely due to different translations and spellings throughout history as families migrated or as the language evolved.

The surname is derived from the Gaelic name "O hIrleagaigh", which later anglicised into Herlihy and then also Herlihey. Other English translations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Herlihey include Herlihy, Herlihey, Hurley, Herley, Harly, Hurly, Hurlie, O'Herlihy, and O'Herlihey. The prefix "O" was originally used to denote "son of", but many times it was dropped or added throughout history.

Note that while there might be some overlap, not all bearers of these names can be directly linked or are necessarily related, as other factors over history, such as adoptions, name changes, and unrelated families choosing the same name, can also play a role.

The surname in different spellings is largely prevalent in Munster, especially in the county of Cork, but bearers of the name can be found all over Ireland and in parts of the world where the Irish have emigrated.

Famous people with the name Herlihey

• Peter Herlihy: an Irish actor best known for appearing in films such as A Man of No Importance and The Tudors.
• Christopher Herlihey: a Canadian film and television actor. He is known for his roles in films such as Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Degrassi: The Next Generation.
• Bonnie Herlihey: a Canadian voice actress, best known as the voice of Misty in the Pokémon animated series and the narrator in the Canadian animated series Johnny Test.
• John Herlihey: an American lawyer and judge who served as a justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court.
• John Herlihey Jr.: an American lawyer and public servant from South Carolina, who was the first African American elected to serve in the South Carolina General Assembly.
• Paul Herlihey: a former running back who played for the Baltimore Colts in 1992 after Michael Husted.
• William Herlihey: a Canadian composer, producer, and musician. He is best known for his contributions on the television series, Cold Squad and the stage production, for which he received four Leo Awards.
• Alexander Herlihey: a British film director and writer. He is most known for directing the 2019 feature film, Wrong Turn, and co-written the 2019 psychological thriller, Don't Let Go.
• Errol Herlihey: an American actor, best known for his roles in the films Stanley & Iris and Reversal of Fortune.
• Sam Herlihey: a Canadian writer and co-creator of the television series, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. His other works include the musical series, God Friended Me, and the dark drama, Salvation.

Other surnames

Herlihy