Surname O'Mallie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
O'Mallie: What does the surname O'Mallie mean?
The surname O'Mallie is an Irish name originating from the ancient Gaelic Septs of Uí Maolmhuaidh (O'Mallie) of Sabhal/Oirghiall, located in present day County Down, Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic “O”, meaning “grandson/descendant”, and the personal name “Maolmhuaidh”, meaning “devotee of St. Muadh”. “Maol”, or “Maolmhuaidh”, was a hereditary title given to those of noble descent in ancient Ireland.
The O'Mallie clan were part of the great kingdom of Ulaid, and were a powerful and respected family with strong ties to the Kings of Ulster and other influential Gaelic clans. They were a dominant force in the area, often engaged in wars against rival clans or neighbouring kingdoms. As such, they gained a great deal of land and holdings in their region, and were known as the 'Lords of the Magh Uladh', or 'Lords of Oirghiall'.
Due to the strong Irish heritage attached to the name O’Mallie, its bearers are often seen as proud and connected with the stories and folklore of ancient Ireland. The two symbols most heavily associated with the name are the four-petalled shamrock, a representation of the venerated St. Patrick; and the powerful and fierce image of the Red Hand of Ulster, an honour generally granted to Irish warriors of exceptional strength and courage in battle.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Mallie: Where does the name O'Mallie come from?
The last name O’Mallie is most commonly found in the United States. It is primarily concentrated in Northern Ireland, with notable concentrations of the name in the Province of Ulster and Belfast. However, due to the waves of migration that occurred in the 1800s and 1900s, researchers today have found O"Mallie families, with their Irish roots, scattered across the US.
In the US, the most common places to find the surname O'Mallie include New England, especially Massachusetts and its neighboring regions. During periods of forced or voluntary migration during America’s colonization, many Irish families chose to settle in and around urban centers in the US Northeast. To this day, several O’Mallie families still call these settlements home.
In more recent times, the name has also spread to other parts of US, such as Arizona, California, and Texas. This is due in part to internal American migration and increasing family sizes, as well as new immigrants from Ireland choosing to settle in the West. There are also large numbers of the O'Mallie name in Canada, especially in Ontario and Quebec.
Today, O’Mallie families are found stretching from coast to coast in the United States and across Canada, showing the effects of the great migration by the Irish in modern times. Although they may have traveled far from home, O’Mallie families may enjoy finding a unique connection to their roots and a shared bond, one found widely among the Irish diaspora worldwide.
Variations of the surname O'Mallie
The surname O'Mallie or Ó Maolaoidhe is an Irish variant arising from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Maoldomhnaigh'. It is derived from the Gaelic root words 'maol' (a term for 'bald') and 'domhnaigh' or 'dubhnaigh' (meaning 'lordly' or 'noble'). The literal translation of the surname is 'the lordly bald one'. This surname belongs to the Connacht Uí Maine sept and is traditionally associated with County Galway.
Common variants of O'Mallie include O'Malley, O'Mally, O'Mealy and O'Molloy. Less common variants include Molley, Mallee, Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Ó Maoilriain and Ó Maoighléinn.
Spellings of O'Mallie include amongst others Mac Mally, Mac Maille, Mac Mailly, Mac Mallie, Mac Malley and Mac Malie.
Surnames of the same origin as O'Mallie include Mailey, Mally, Mallier and Mallory.
In its anglicised form, the surname has been adopted by families in the United States, often spelt with an 'e' at the end of the name. This is reflected in the names 'Malley' and 'Mallory'.
Overall, the O'Mallie surname can appear in many forms. Despite its original Gaelic origin, it is now largely thought of as an anglicised surname and the costume spelling can vary from place to place and family to family.
Famous people with the name O'Mallie
- Virginia O'Mallie: a former news anchor on the prominent US morning television show, Good Morning America.
- Margaret O'Mallie: a record-breaking distance runner who set multiple American records in the 800m and 1500m distances.
- Kate O'Mallie-Lynch: an English painter known for her bold and vibrant oil pastel paintings.
- John O'Mallie: a former professional basketball player in the 1980s and early 90s who was a member of the Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings.
- Aidan O'Mallie: a professional rugby league player from Australia who plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
- Celene O'Mallie: an Olympic-level archer who competed in the Atlanta 1996 Summer Games.
- Conor O'Mallie: an Irish action star best known for his roles in the Brothers in Arms and Rogue Angel films.
- Dylan O'Mallie: an up-and-coming rock musician in the US recently featured on an episode of The Voice.
- Patrick O'Mallie: a renowned author of children's fiction books based in the UK.
- Siobhan O'Mallie: a world-renowned fashion designer who specializes in couture gowns and evening wear.