Geneaology

CLANN Ó'MAOLMHUAIDH

Ó'Maolmhuaidh and its variants of O’Molwye, O’Meloy, O’Molloye, O’Mulloye, O’Molley, Meloy, Molloy and Mulloy is one of Irelands most numerous names. The surnames of Miley, Millea and Slowey, in the Cavan-Monaghan area of Ulster, are also thought to be variants.

The root name is from the diminutive form of the Gaelic word ‘maolmuaidh’ meaning a 'great leader'. The surname is of very distinguished ancestry and originated in the Cinal Fiachach in the tenth century. Its founders were of the Southern Ui Néill and descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages. They belonged to a sept of Fearra Ceall whose territory was coterminus with the baronies of Fircall, Ballycowan and Ballyboy, County Offaly and the head of the sept was The O’Molloy Chief or Lord of Fircal.

The origin of the Offaly sept is evidenced by the fact that in English the name is often given as O’Mulmoy. After the Norman invasion the O’Molloy’s became hereditary bearers of the British standard in Ireland and thus retained their territories even to the eighteenth century. The family maintained friendly relations with the English crown and one of their number, Albin O’Molloy a Cistercian and Bishop of Ferns, in 1189 was one of the officiating clergy at the coronation of Richard I. Albin is also remembered for his excommunication of the Earl of Pembroke. The chief of an important branch of this sept was known as The Green Molloy.

In Roscommon another distinct family of quite different origin belonged to the sept of Taidg-na-hOidhre in that area. This family is called O Maoil Aoidhe, meaning servant of Saint Aedh. This name is sometimes anglicised as Millea or Miley and Mullee.

Other famous persons of the name are: Francis Molloy, a Franciscan and author of ‘Lucerna Fidelium’ and the first printed Irish grammar; Monseignor Gerald Molloy [1834-1906] a theologian and scientist; James Lynam Molloy [1837-1909] composer of very many popular ballads; Joseph Fitzgerald Molloy a novelist and poet [1858-1908]; Charles Molloy [1690-1767] a dramatist; Charles Molloy [1646-1690] was author of a standard treatise on maritime law.

There are two Molloy officers listed in King James’s Army 1689-91 and in the same period there is one listed in the army of King William. All of these mentioned are of the Offaly sept.