QUIGLEY
Quigley is an Irish surname that traces its roots to the Gaelic people of the British Isles, specifically Ireland. The name is associated with the Christian tradition of the Gaelic estate and derives from the Celtic linguistic heritage of the region.
The surname is an anglicised form of the Gaelic prefix Ó plus the personal name Coigligh, meaning "descendant of Coigleach". Coigleach in turn is believed to originate from the word coigeal, which translates to "untidy" or "unkempt". Consequently, the name was originally a nickname attributed to an individual who was perceived as messy or dishevelled.
Historical records show the name appearing in several spelling variations, including O'Quigley, Quigley, Kegley, and Cogley. The Ó prefix has largely vanished since the early 19th century, a change that mirrors broader trends in Irish surnames. The clan’s earliest identified domain was in the far west of County Mayo. Over the ensuing centuries the principal settlements migrated to County Donegal and County Sligo, with a distinct branch establishing itself in the barony of Inishowen in Ulster. In this area, the family once ranked as the fifth most common surname.
A number of notable individuals have borne the Quigley name. Father James O'Coigley of Armagh survived a near-execution by French revolutionaries during the period 1789–1796, when the Catholic Church was proscribed in France. He later returned to Ireland, but was executed in Cork in 1798 as a traitor for supporting the French expedition that attempted an invasion of Ireland. Another prominent bearer was Bishop James Quigley, who served in Buffalo, USA, from 1840 to 1915. Bishop Quigley was a leading advocate of trade unionism, a stance that stirred considerable controversy in the rapidly industrialising American society.
The Quigley surname remains in use throughout the Irish diaspora, particularly in the north of Ireland and among communities of Irish descent abroad. Its legacy is defined by a precise linguistic lineage, a historic migration pattern, and memorable figures who exemplified the family’s enduring influence within religious and socio‑political spheres.
Typical given names associated with the Quigley surname
Male
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Ann
- Anne
- Barbara
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Lisa
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Quigley in...
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Morse
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There are approximately 6,608 people named Quigley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,430th most common surname in Britain. Around 101 in a million people in Britain are named Quigley.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Quigley
- Margaret Denise Quigley - American actress
- Joe Quigley - Irish / English football player
- Scott Quigley - Professional football player
- Johnny Quigley - Scottish football player (1935 to 2004)
- Eddie Quigley - Football player (1921 to 1997)
- Daniel Quigley - Kickboxing World Professional Champion
- Roger Quigley - Singer/songwriter
- Mike Quigley - Football player
- Gerry Quigley - Irish trade unionist (1928 to 2003)
- Janet Quigley - Quigley, Janet Muriel Alexander (1902 to 1987)
- Jennie Quigley - (1850 to 1936)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.