Surname Mealey - Meaning and Origin
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Mealey: What does the surname Mealey mean?
The last name Mealey is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "O'Maoileoin," which means "descendant of the devotee of St. John." The name may have originally been used to describe someone who was a servant or follower of St. John. Over time, it evolved to become a family or last name used by generations. This name is found in greater concentrations in County Offaly and surrounding areas in Ireland. As with many surnames, different sources can have variations in interpretations, but religious connections are often a common element in Irish names.
Order DNA origin analysisMealey: Where does the name Mealey come from?
The last name Mealey is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic phrase "O'Maoileoin," which translates to 'descendant of the devotee of St John'. This ancient pre-10th-century surname is closely linked to the history of Ireland's County Galway and is extremely popular in the region ever since the medieval period. The family was of the Eoghanacht septs and was substantial and renowned there before the Anglo-Norman invasion.
In the modern era, the surname Mealey is found in significant numbers in Ireland, primarily in and around the regions of Limerick, Clare, and Galway. The surname has also spread to various parts of the world due to Irish emigration, primarily following the Great Famine. Hence, it is also common in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Aboriginal variations of spelling the surname include O'Malley, Meally, Mally, Mealey, Malay, Maley, Mallee, O'Mealey, and O'Maly.
Variations of the surname Mealey
The surname Mealey is an anglicized version of the original Gaelic name "Ó Mílídhe" which translates to "descendant of the brave soldier". This surname is often used in Ireland and has multiple variants and spellings which include: Mealy, Meelie, Meely, Mele, Mely, Milea, Milley, Mily, Meleady, Meelidy, and Meelady.
Alternative spellings also come from phonetic spelling variations, dialect differences, or even clerical errors. Mealey's surname spelling variations might also include Mealea, Mealia, Mealie, Meleah, and Miley.
Other times, the surname can be traced to the same roots with different prefix like O'Mealey or O'Mealy, opening another array of surnames from the same origin.
Keep in mind that surname variants might also originate from the geographical locations, professions, or personal characteristics of individuals.
It is also possible that the surname may have alternative origins and not just the Gaelic one, causing even more spelling and phonetic variations worldwide.
Famous people with the name Mealey
- Sinead Mealey: Irish singer/songwriter who rose to fame with her debut album in 2002
- Donal Mealey: Irish columnist and author who often writes about Irish culture and social issues
- David Mealey: American actor who has appeared in such films as Spiderman and Gentlemen's Agreement
- Paul Mealey: Australian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1990 to 1993
- Kevin Mealey: British comedian and television presenter known for his stand-up routines and sketches
- Brenna Mealey: American actress who appeared in the hit 2008 film Mamma Mia!
- Mary Mealey: Canadian businesswoman who founded several successful companies
- Keith Mealey: English musician and founding member of the indie rock band Sea Change
- Richard Mealey: French painter who created several renowned works of art
- Justin Mealey: American professional golfer who won the U.S. Open in 2018