Surname McSorley - Meaning and Origin
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McSorley: What does the surname McSorley mean?
The last name McSorley is an Irish surname with a long and interesting history. The name originated in a place called the O'Connors lands, in the province of Connacht in Western Ireland. It is believed to be derived from a Gaelic phrase meaning “son of Sorley,” which references the ancient culture of the O'Connells tribe.
This family became scattered through emigration during the course of the 19th century, with many Irish families emigrating to the United States and other countries in search of new opportunities. As a result, today you will see the name McSorley commonly throughout the world—from Scotland to the United States, and even Australia.
The name McSorley is likely derived from the Gaelic word "sorlie," which means clear-sighted or sharp-witted. A sharp, analytical and clear-minded intellect is one of the most admirable characteristics of the McSorley family today. Their ancestors were known for being forward-thinking, which has contributed to the family's modern approach to business, traditional work, and education.
In many Irish American families, the McSorley name is still cherished to this day as a reminder of the courage and drive of the family's forefathers. These same characteristics are imbued in their descendants, instilling them with the same sense of passion, determination, and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisMcSorley: Where does the name McSorley come from?
The surname McSorley is a common Irish surname derived from two distinct Irish Gaelic names - Mac Somhairle and Mac Samthainn. It is thought to have originated in the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland, where the MacSorley's of Ulster are traditionally the most numerous.
Today, the last name McSorley is most often found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. According to the 1881 British Census, McSorley was the 254th most common surname in England and Wales. In the United States, in the 2000 US Census, the surname McSorley was the 3452nd most common surname. In recent years, many McSorleys have emigrated from Northern Ireland, mainly to the United States and Canada, as well as to Australia and New Zealand.
In the United States and Canada, the McSorleys are most common in the states and provinces of Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Florida, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. They are typically associated with Irish-American culture in the United States and Irish-Canadian culture in Canada, and are often found in Irish-American areas such as New England and the Midwest.
The McSorley name is an important part of Irish history and culture and the surname is still commonly used by Irish descendants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It is an important part of modern Irish identity, and serves as a reminder of their roots and heritage.
Variations of the surname McSorley
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname McSorley are McSorly, Sorley, O'Sorley, Shorley, and Mac Shorley.
The McSorley surname is derived from the Old Gaelic name Mac Shuibhleathain. This old Gaelic name is composed of two elements, “mac” and ”shuibhleathain”, which mean “son of the Shorleys”. Mac is derived from the Irish Magh, which relates to the original Gaelic form Mac Suibhlethain and Scottish Mac Swarley or MacShorley.
The original Gaelic names Mac Sorley or Mac Suibhlethain are derived from the old Irish personal name Suibhlethain which means 'contented one' composed of two elements “suibh” and “lethain”. Suibh is derived from the old Irish word suidhe meaning peace and tranquility. The suffix “-ly” implies a patronymic or son of connection to the original bearer of the personal name.
The name Sorley is derived from the name MacSorley, which is derived from the Irish Magh, which means the plain of the Shee or Faeries. The prefix “O” in O’Sorley is derived from the Irish word “O” which denotes a male descendant of the original bearer of the surname.
The surname Shorley is derived from the old Gaelic name Mac Shuibhleathain. It is derived from the element “shuibh” which mean “pleasant” and “lethain” which mean “inlet”. The Mac Shorley is derived from the combination of these two elements which mean “pleasant inlet”.
Mac Sorley, Sorley, O'Sorley, Shorley and Mac Shorley are all variants and spellings of the same origin surname - McSorley. All these surnames imply a connection to the same line of descendants, many of whom still carry the surname to this day.
Famous people with the name McSorley
- Ryan McSorley, American soccer player
- John McSorley, American voice actor
- David McSorley, American actor
- Dylan McSorley, former professional ice hockey player
- Ryan McSorley, former professional American football player
- Jack McSorley, American musician
- Julian McSorley, Opera Singer
- Andrew McSorely, English rugby player
- Marvin McSorley, former NFL player
- Eoin McSorley, Irish Gaelic footballer
- Kaitlyn McSorley, American soccer player
- Kelly McSorley, English journalist
- Bree McSorley, British painter
- Bryan McSorley, American hockey player
- Con McSorley, former Irish-American soccer player
- Skippy McSorley, TV and radio presenter
- Kev McSorley, former professional ice hockey player
- Gloria McSorley, Irish actor
- Antoinette McSorley, former Scottish handgun shooter
- Joe McSorley, former professional soccer player