Malarkey

Malarkey is a British surname that originated in Ireland. The surname is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Irish "Ó Maolchéire," which means "descendant of Maolchéire." The name Maolchéire itself is derived from the Gaelic elements "maol," meaning servant or devotee, and "céire," meaning dark or black.

The Malarkey surname is believed to have originated in County Clare in Ireland and has since spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. Throughout history, individuals bearing the surname Malarkey have been found in various professions and walks of life.

The name Malarkey has also been associated with the colloquial term "malarkey," meaning nonsense, or foolish or meaningless talk. It is unclear whether there is any direct connection between the surname and the use of the term in English.

Today, the Malarkey surname continues to be found in the British Isles and other English-speaking countries, with descendants of the original name-bearers carrying on the legacy of their ancestors.

There are approximately 260 people named Malarkey in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Malarkey.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Brian
  • Carl
  • Craig
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Kevin
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Sean
  • Thomas
  • Wayne

Female

  • Carol
  • Catherine
  • Deborah
  • Janice
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Karin
  • Katie
  • Katie-jayne
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Mary

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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