Show ContentsMaloy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name Maloy 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 Maloy family

The surname Maloy 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 Maloy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maloy 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 Maloy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maloy Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Maloy family name. Variations found include Molloy, Mulloy, Miley, O'Molloy, O'Mulloy, Mullee and many more.

Early Notables of the Maloy 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 Maloy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maloy Ranking

In the United States, the name Maloy is the 7,141st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3


United States Maloy migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Maloy:

Maloy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Luke Maloy, who arrived in Mississippi in 1840 4
  • Mr. John Maloy, aged 22, Irish labourer who arrived in New York in 1846 aboard the ship "Stephen Whitney"
  • Mr. Luke Maloy, aged 16, Irish labourer who arrived in New York in 1846 aboard the ship "Stephen Whitney"
  • Margaret Maloy, aged 19, who landed in New York in 1854 4
  • David Maloy, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1854 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Maloy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Maloy, aged 45, who immigrated to America, in 1904
  • Charles Maloy, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Clarence Maloy, aged 45, who immigrated to America, in 1910
  • Frank Maloy, aged 54, who immigrated to the United States from Tromugh, Ireland, in 1911
  • John Maloy, aged 20, who landed in America, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Maloy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Maloy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Catherine Maloy, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833

Australia Maloy migration to Australia +

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

Maloy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Maloy, British convict who was convicted in London, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Cornwall" on 28th February 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
  • Mr. William Maloy, British Convict who was convicted in Gibraltar for 10 years, transported aboard the "Dudbrook" on 17th November 1852, arriving in Western Australia 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Maloy (post 1700) +

  • Zac Maloy, American music producer
  • Michael Maloy, American three-time Primetime Emmy Award winning producer, known for 9/11 (2002), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition-How'd They Do That? (2004) and Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell (2012)
  • Paul Augustus Maloy (1892-1976), American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox during the 1913 season
  • Michael Alvin Maloy (1949-2009), American professional basketball player, two-times SoCon Player of the Year (1969, 1970)
  • Thomas Joel Maloy (1906-1942), American member of the United States Navy and a posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, for his actions on the USS Atlanta, eponym of the Buckley-class destroyer escort, USS Maloy DDE-791
  • Danny Maloy (b. 1980), American proffessional football player
  • J. W. Maloy, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Carbon County, 1885-86 7
  • F. B. Maloy, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Iowa State House of Representatives from Ringgold County, 1950 7
  • Elmer J. Maloy, American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, 1937 7
  • Edward S. Maloy, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 6th District, 1865 7
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Maloy 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. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cornwall
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 23rd July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dudbrook
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook