Surname O'Hely - Meaning and Origin

O'Hely: What does the surname O'Hely mean?

The name O'Hely originates from an ancient Gaelic surname, Ó hEalaighthe, which belonged to a noble family in County Clare, Ireland. The literal translation of the surname is "descendant of Ealaithhe," a personal name likely derived from the ancient Gaelic word “eala”, which means "swiftness".

This hereditary surname is well known in Irish Lore and there is much speculation about its true meaning. Some say that it memorializes an individual legendary for being swift, others believe it refers to a family whose coat of arms bore a swan, symbolizing the idea of swiftness. As with many surnames, the true meaning has likely been forgotten over time.

Today, O'Hely is a popular surname in various Irish families and is still mainly concentrated throughout County Clare. It is still remembered for its symbolism of swiftness and strength, though its true meaning may never be known.

Regardless of the true origin, the meaningful implications of the surname O'Hely remain an integral part of Irish heritage, showing that it is a family legacy that continues to be carried through Irish generations.

O'Hely: Where does the name O'Hely come from?

The last name O’Hely is most commonly found in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The spelling, however, can also vary to include “O’Hally” and “Hally”. The O’Helys were believed to be a sept, meaning they likely descended from the same ancestor living in that region long ago.

It’s unknown exactly when the family first settled in Ireland, though records of their name date back to as early as the mid-13th century. Even then, their name was connected to a variety of different counties throughout the island. This suggests the family may have traveled further and wider over the centuries, most likely as a result of war or intermarriage.

Today, the O’Helys are scattered across many countries around the world. The largest population can still be found in Ireland, though there are also significant numbers in nearby Great Britain and in parts of the United States.

No matter where members of this family may be today, the history of this proud Irish family is sure to continue. With a strong sense of shared identity and close knit connections, the O’Helys are sure to remain connected for generations to come.

Variations of the surname O'Hely

The surname O'Hely has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most popular spelling is O'Hely. This Irish surname comes from the Gaelic form Ó hEalaighthe, which means "descendant of Aláithe". Other variants of the surname include O'Haley, O'Hally, O'Hallihee, O'Haely, O'Hallihan, O'Hallihoe, and O'Healey.

The O’Hallihan and O’Hallohoe variations of the surname are found mainly in Ireland. The variant of O'Healey is more common in Scotland. The spelling of O'Haely is mainly used in England, and O'Haley and O'Hally are found across Europe and the United States.

O'Hely is also a translation of the Gaelic surname Ó hAileacháin, which means "descendant of Aileacháin". This surname is found mainly in Ireland and is more commonly seen as O'Aileacháin, O'Aileacháin, O'Alley, O'Allahan, and O'Hally.

In addition to various spellings and surnames, O'Hely is often found with the prefixes Mac or Mc, which mean "son of". Common variations of the surname with these prefixes include MacHely, McHely, MacHaelly, McHaelly, and MacHallihan.

The O'Hely family can trace its origin back to Counties Laois and Kildare in Ireland. The name was originally found in the ancient territory of Upper Ossory. This region now covers parts of modern day counties Carlow, Laois, Kilkenny, and Offaly.

Famous people with the name O'Hely

• Gordon O’Hely: former Australian cricketer
• Enda O’Hely: Irish footballer
• Gianna O’Hely: Australian actress
• Matt O’Hely: American musician
• Christopher O’Hely: Irish lawyer
• Ger O’Hely: Irish rugby player
• Seán O’Hely: former Irish footballer
• John O’Hely-Byrne: former Irish rugby player
• Shane O’Hely: Irish Paralympic athlete
• Padhraic O’Hely: Irish former basketball player
• Paddy O’Hely: Irish sports journalist
• Suzan O’Hely: Dutch fashion designer
• Catherine O’Hely: Irish lawyer
• Bénédicte O’Hely: French novelist
• Tom O’Hely: former Australian rugby league player

Other surnames

O'Heluighthe