Surname Feely - Meaning and Origin

Feely: What does the surname Feely mean?

The last name Feely is an anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Faoileagáin, which is derived from the Gaelic word 'faoileag' meaning 'seagull'. Historically, the Feely surname was most common in the counties of Tipperary and Galway in Ireland. The Ó Fuadlaigh sept was based at Sliabh na mBan, which is a mountain range located near Athenry in County Galway.

In Irish culture, the seagull was seen as a symbol of quality and power. The flight of a seagull is effortless, and it was seen as a messenger between the mortal world and the divine world. According to Irish folklore, hearing the cries of a seagull brings good luck. To bear the name Feely was to bear a name of power and quality.

The old map of Ireland known as Petty's 1659 shows 'Feely' as a place-name in County Mayo.

Today, the surname Feely can be found worldwide, mainly in Ireland, the UK, Australia, and the United States. Many Irish immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries adopted the form Feely as their name when they settled in new countries.

The name Feely, then, is symbolic of quality, power, and luck, as well as the spirit of adventure of those who have left their home country in search of a better life. It is a reminder of the Irish people’s history of resiliency and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

Feely: Where does the name Feely come from?

The last name Feely is most commonly associated with the area of Ireland known as Connacht, stretching from Kilkenny to Galway and encompassing all five of the provinces of Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Galway and Leitrim. The majority of families in this area use the surname Feely, and this is likely due to its long history in the region.

The name dates back to the 16th century and is thought to be a variation of the Gaelic "Ó Fiaich", and is derived from the old Irish word "fia". When first introduced it was most commonly found in the southern parts of Connacht, although it eventually spread throughout the region.

One of the most prominent namesakes of the Feely surname was Robert Feely, who was an early governor of Connacht in 1614. He is credited with having restored peace and order to the province in turbulent times. His legacy is still honoured today, and it is beings carried forward through the many Feelys in the region.

Apart from Connacht, the Feely name has also been carried to far-flung destinations such as Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, indicating the family's global reach. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 3,000 people bearing the name Feely in the world.

Variations of the surname Feely

Feely is a surname of Irish origin. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Fiala, which means “son of a wolf”. It is also thought to have come from the Irish word “feile”, which means “clan” or “host”.

Variants of Feely include: Fealey, Fealey, Fealy, Feeely, Feelye, Feely, Feigley, Fiegal, and Feagley.

Spellings of Feely include: Fehilly, Fighley, Feologhey, Feigal, and Feheely.

Surnames of the same origin to Feely include: Fahey, Fay, Faile, Fahey, Feahy, Foy, Fealy, Faile, Fihelly, Faorman, Fehilly, Feologhey, Feeley, Feighley, Fiegal, Feagley, Faill, Filla, and Failey.

Feely is also sometimes used as a given name. It is an English name derived from the Gaelic name Fial, which means “wolf”. The given name Feely is also a variant of the English name Faith.

Many of the surnames related to Feely have been found to be used in various localities in both Ireland and the United States. Variants and spellings of Feely are commonly found throughout England as well.

Famous people with the name Feely

• Pat Feely: A former American basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the Chicago Bulls in 1994-1995.
• Jay Feely: Former NFL kicker who played for seven different teams from 2001 to 2014. He is currently a famed football analyst for CBS Sports.
• Paul Feely: A prominent journalist, radio broadcaster, and travel writer based in New Hampshire. He is also the author of the popular book “A Year in the White Mountains.”
• Dan Feely: An Irish professional boxer. He is the current Golden Contract Super Middleweight Champion.
• Robert Feely: A former professional soccer player who spent most of his career in Europe.
• Katie Feely: An American golfer who is currently playing on the LPGA tour.
• Peter Feely: An Olivier nominated actor, most famous for his roles on the West End stage.
• Alexander Feely: A renowned American fashion designer, best known for his modern take on traditional American style.
• Mary Feely: An Executive Vice President at the celebrated women's lifestyle brand, Anthropologie.
• David Feely: A British journalist who has worked for some of the country's leading newspapers.

Other surnames

Feeland