Surname Gormaly - Meaning and Origin
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Gormaly: What does the surname Gormaly mean?
The last name Gormaly is believed to be of Irish origin, and is an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic phrase Ó Guthmhail meaning “descendant of Guthmhail”. Guthmhail (or Gormail) was an uncommon male name in Ireland in the Middle Ages, suggesting a rather small cult of devotees who were the ancestors of those bearing the modern Gormaly surname.
Gormaly is a surname found throughout Ireland, and in parts of England as well. Often the surname can be found in areas with populations of people with Celtic roots. It is most widely found in County Limerick, County Westmeath and County Mayo, as well as parts of England in counties like Shropshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire.
In general, the Irish people who originated the Gormaly surname were traditionally farmers and herdsmen, and often traded their animals and dairy goods. These names reflect the basic economic and social lifelines of the people and their families.
Today, the Gormaly surname is found widely throughout the world, but primarily in Ireland and the United Kingdom, with many descendants bearing the name throughout the United States and Canada as well. It can be presumed that English and French Gormalys primarily descended from people who emigrated from Ireland to the United States or Canada in the 1800's and 1900's.
Regardless of geographical origin, the Gormaly surname carries with it an Irish heritage and a proud history. It is a mark of distinction for many families and recognizable around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisGormaly: Where does the name Gormaly come from?
The last name Gormaly is mostly seen in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This surname is usually of Celtic origin, with the vast majority of Gormaly's being found in Ireland. Its presence in the United States can be traced back to the mid-19th century, and it is believed to have been brought over mainly from County Mayo in the west of the island.
Today, the Gormaly family name has been spread internationally by Irish emigration, but also due to its usage by families in other European countries such as Switzerland and Norway. However, the highest concentrations of Gormaly today are still found in counties such as Mayo, Galway, and Connacht in Ireland, as well as in many of the Boston, Massachusetts area in the US. The total US population of Gormalys is estimated to be in the low thousands.
Overall, the last name Gormaly has been firmly established in both its homeland of Ireland and in the United States. In particular, it is a common surname in the western half of Ireland and the northeastern region of the United States.
Variations of the surname Gormaly
The surname Gormaly is believed to have originated in Ireland. It is most commonly found in counties Leitrim and Sligo, but may be present elsewhere. Gormaly is an Anglicized spelling of the Irish surname Ó Gormghalláin. Other variants, spellings and surnames derived from the same root include Gormaghan, Gormalley, Gormly, Gormalley, and Gormal.
Gormghalláin is claimed to be derived from the Gaelic phrase “gorm-ghalláin”, meaning blue-eyed. This points towards the original bearers of this name being light of eye, and it is likely that those who bore the name would have been considered quite attractive in ancient times. The name Gormghalláin may also have been derived from 'gorm', meaning 'dignified', and ‘ghallán’, meaning a ‘foreigner’. It is possible that the original bearers of the name were a prominent, foreign family who had settled in Ireland, likely during the Anglo-Norman invasions of the 12th century.
The variations of the surname mentioned above all derive from the same meaning and are believed to have the same origin. As the name was widely found in County Leitrim and Sligo, it is likely that these place names were incorporated into the various variations of the name over the centuries. There is also evidence that the surnames may have moved beyond Ireland, particularly to America and Canada during the 19th century, when significant numbers of Irish immigrants left for a more prosperous life in the new world.
Famous people with the name Gormaly
- Ed Gormaly: Professional soccer player
- Kelly Gormaly: American singer
- Mark Gormaly: Executive Chairman and former CEO of United Natural Foods
- Elizabeth Gormaly: Actress, writer, and stand-up comic
- Bridget Gormaly: former member of the British Parliament
- Tim Gormaly: Former professional football player
- Ryan Gormaly: Professional basketball player
- Thomas Gormaly: Actor, writer, and comedian
- Shane Gormaly:TV anchor and medical correspondent
- Jonathan Gormaly: Cinematographer and filmmaker