Surname Lally - Meaning and Origin
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Lally: What does the surname Lally mean?
Lally is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name "O'Maolalaidh," which means "descendant of Maolalaidh." The personal name Maolalaidh is a combination of two words - 'maol' meaning 'bald' or 'tonsured one' (often referring to a religious devotee or hermit), and 'alaidh' which means 'beauty' or 'sublime'. Therefore, the original meaning of the surname would refer to a devotee or follower of the one who is aesthetically beautiful or spiritually sublime. The name is primarily associated with Counties Roscommon and Offaly in Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, Lally has undergone numerous spelling variations over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisLally: Where does the name Lally come from?
The last name Lally is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic O'Maolalaidh, which means "descendant of Maolalaidh". The name Maolalaidh itself is a combination of the words "maol" (meaning bald as in tonsure, symbolic of a devotee) and "alaidh" (meaning beauty). Over the years, O'Maolalaidh was anglicized to O'Mullally and later shortened to Lally.
The Lally family initially belonged to a Gaelic sept in the province of Connacht, primarily found in the county of Galway, being one of the Tribes of Galway. Historical records indicate that the Lally family was prominent in the Irish society and played significant roles during various periods of history.
Today, the last name Lally remains common in Ireland, especially in its western regions where the family originally settled. It also spreads further due to the Irish diaspora, hence the name can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others.
Variations of the surname Lally
The surname Lally is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'O'Maolalaidh' meaning 'disciple of St. Laisren'. Variants and continuity errors over time have led to a plethora of alternate spellings for this name, with each variant carrying the same unique origin tale and heritage.
Commonly seen versions include: Laley, Lallye, Lalley, O’Lally, and O’Lalley. There may also be variations where an "O" or "Mc" prefix is attributed to the surname, such as "O’Lally" and "McLally", although these are less common. However, the most typical Anglicized form of the surname remains Lally.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, the name O'Malley, stemming from the same Gaelic 'O'Maolalaidh' is sometimes considered, but it is usually associated with a different Irish clan.
Please note that the usage and distribution of these variants can change based on geographic location and time period. All these variations, however, remain inherently connected, reflecting a rich, robust, and dynamic Irish lineage.
Famous people with the name Lally
- Athena Lally: An actress best known for her role in the drama series "White Lines."
- Michael Lally (poet): An acclaimed American poet.
- Mike Lally: An American actor during the classic Hollywood cinema era.
- Darragh Lally: An actor known for his role in "Fatal Deviation" produced in Ireland.
- Rik Lally: An American actor known for his work in "The Bronx Bull" and "By the Soles of Our Feet."
- Timothy Lally: An actor recognized for his roles in "The Guard" and "Bloodlines: The Alexa Holmes Chronicles."
- Karl Lally; Also known by his ring name as Joe Malenko, Karl Lally is an American semi-retired professional wrestler.
- Jenna Lally: A British actress who starred in the thriller "The Tell-Tale Heart."
- Fergus Lally: An actor known for appearing in "Hooligan Legacy."
- Tom Lally: An American character actor who was active in stage, film, and television during the mid-20th century.
- Lally Weymouth: An American journalist and a senior associate editor of The Washington Post.
- Geordie Lally: A dubstep and drum & bass "DJ" from the United Kingdom.
- Pat Lally: A local Scottish politician and Lord Provost of Glasgow.
- Alan Lally: A GAA sportsman associated with Galway in Ireland.