Show ContentsMalloy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name Malloy was originally written in a Gaelic form as Ó Maolmhuaidh, which is derived from the word "muadh," which has the dual meaning of "noble" and "big and soft." 1

Early Origins of the Malloy family

The surname Malloy was first found in County Offaly (Irish: Uíbh Fháilí) originally the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, located in central Ireland in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Albin O'Molloy or Alpin O'Moelmhuaidh (d. 1223), was Bishop of Ferns, a native Irishman, "who became a Cistercian monk at Baltinglass, and eventually rose to be abbot of that house. In Lent 1186, when John, archbishop of Dublin, held a synod at Holy Trinity Church, Albin preached a long sermon on clerical continency, in which he laid all the blame for existing evils on the Welsh and English clergy who had come over to Ireland. On 5 Nov. he was appointed by Pope Innocent III, with the Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Kilmacduagh, to excommunicate the Bishop of Waterford, who had robbed the Bishop of Lismore." 2

Early History of the Malloy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Malloy research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1110, 1640, 1641, 1652, 1660, 1663, 1667, 1669, 1690, 1702, 1742, 1758, 1764 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Malloy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Malloy Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Malloy include Molloy, Mulloy, Miley, O'Molloy, O'Mulloy, Mullee and many more.

Early Notables of the Malloy family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was John O'Molloy of English parish, Sugawn chief, Lord of Fercal (Feara Ceall), OffalyFrancis Molloy or O'Maolmhuaidh (fl. 1660), was an Irish theologian and grammarian, a native of the county of Meath, Ireland. "The family of which he was a member had extensive landed possessions in the district known as O'Molloys' Country, and some of them engaged actively in the Irish movements from 1641 to 1652." 2Charles Molloy (1640-1690), was an Irish lawyer of the Middle Temple, born in County Offaly. He was "a native of King's County and was probably a member of...
Another 154 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Malloy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Malloy Ranking

In the United States, the name Malloy is the 2,030th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 3


United States Malloy migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Malloy:

Malloy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Cormack Malloy, who arrived in Virginia in 1655 4
Malloy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Patrick Malloy, who landed in America in 1795 4
Malloy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Malloy, who arrived in New York in 1809 4
  • Luke Malloy, aged 24, who arrived in Kennebunk, Me in 1830 4
  • William Malloy, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1834 4
  • John Malloy, who landed in New York, NY in 1838 4
  • Mary Malloy, who landed in New York, NY in 1845 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Malloy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ann Malloy, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States from Donegal, in 1903
  • Alta Malloy, aged 46, who settled in America, in 1904
  • Agnes Malloy, aged 21, who landed in America from Euniskillen, Ireland, in 1908
  • Bridget Malloy, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Enniskillen, Ireland, in 1910
  • Bridget Malloy, aged 24, who landed in America from Ballygorman, Ireland, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Malloy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Malloy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Malloy, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "America" on December 30, 1830, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 5
  • Mary Malloy, aged 22, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Nashwauk" 6
  • Patrick Malloy, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Bee"
  • Patrick Malloy, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1860 aboard the ship "Grand Trianon"

New Zealand Malloy migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Malloy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Malloy, (b. 1833), aged 25, British farm labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indiana" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1858 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Malloy (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Larkin Malloy (1954-2016), American soap opera actor, announcer, voice-over artist and acting teacher
  • Archibald Alexander "Alex" Malloy (1886-1961), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Adam Gale Malloy (1830-1911), American colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War
  • George Malloy (1920-2008), American pianist
  • Eileen A. Malloy (b. 1954), American Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian affairs
  • John Malloy (b. 1975), American illustrator, comics creator, designer, and fine artist
  • John "Tug" Herman Malloy (1885-1942), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Marty Thomas Malloy (b. 1972), American former Major League Baseball second baseman
  • Robert "Bob" William Malloy (b. 1964), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Robert "Bob" Paul Malloy (1918-2007), American Major League Baseball player and a relief pitcher
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. John A.  Malloy (1847-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 8


The Malloy Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Malo mori quam foedari
Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1830 with 135 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1830
  6. South Australian Register Monday 14th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nashwauk 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/europa1855.shtml
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance


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