Maley

Maley is a British surname originating from the Celtic region of Scotland. The surname likely has its roots in the Gaelic language, with variations such as Mac Amhalghaidh or Mac Amhlaibh.

Origin

The Maley surname is believed to have originated as a patronymic name, indicating descent from a male ancestor. The prefix "Mac" in Gaelic signifies "son of," suggesting that Maley may have originally meant "son of Amhalghaidh" or "son of Amhlaibh."

Distribution

The Maley surname is relatively rare in the United Kingdom, with most occurrences found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Migration and emigration patterns have also led to the dispersal of individuals with the Maley surname to other parts of the world, particularly to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Notable Individuals

Notable individuals bearing the Maley surname include:

  • Willie Maley (1868–1958): A Scottish football player and manager who was instrumental in the early development of Celtic Football Club.
  • Joan Maley (1930–2015): An English artist known for her contributions to the field of contemporary art and graphic design.

Variants

Variants of the Maley surname include Mac Maley, O'Mailey, and Mahony, reflecting the different regional and historical influences on the surname.

References

  • Reaney, P.H., & Wilson, R.M. (1995). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 1,065 people named Maley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,031st most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Maley.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

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
  • Anthony
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Simon
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Ann
  • Anne
  • Caroline
  • Catherine
  • Karen
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Pamela
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

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