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Origins of the Vallely name:
Is it Irish?
You bet. After years of research, DNA testing and bits and pieces from
people all over the world, I've determined that Vallely is about as Irish as you
can get. It is probably a derivative of an old Celtic name. In
modern times it is native to the Ulster region, specifically counties
Armagh and Antrim.
Scotland has its share of Vallelys. My own family moved to Scotland for
several years before leaving for the United States. After the potato
famine in 1846 the Irish in Scotland increased dramatically. John Vallely
and his wife Rose were in Whitburn, West Lotham, Scotland by 1855. Rose
died there in 1867 and is buried in Scotland.
As noted in the How Is It Spelled page it is recorded
as Valily,Vallelly, Valleley and Vallelley
- Mac Giolla Mhuire or Mac Giolla Mhura (Irish)
Gaelic name anglicized and much altered to Vallely and closely related to
Gilmore
- Mac Giolla Mhura (Scottish and Irish)
Patronymics from personal names meaning servant of the Virgin Mary. In
Armagh, reduced anglicized form meaning servant of St. Mura of Fahan.
Mac Giolla Mhir means son of the spirited lad
- Mac Giolla Bhearshúiligh
My personal favorite. Pronounced mac gilla var-who-i-lee. Very Gaelic and
you can hear where Vallely come from. Source: several Vallelys in
Ireland and on the
Irish Times ancestors website
- Mac Ilvallelly
From the author
MacLysaght's Surnames
of Ireland
(1985). Found in County Armagh in the 17th Century. Related to Varley.
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