Show ContentsO Malley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname O Malley originally appeared in Gaelic as "O Maille."

Early Origins of the O Malley family

The surname O Malley was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

"The O'Malley's were celebrated Chiefs whose territory comprised the present Baronies of Murrisk and Burrishoole in the County Mayo. The Malleys and O'Malleys are now located principally in the two baronies named, and in that of Erris, in County Mayo. " 1

Early History of the O Malley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O Malley research. Another 44 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1503, 1603, 1760, 1843 and 1854 are included under the topic Early O Malley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O Malley Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name O Malley revealed many variations, including Malley, Mallay, Mally, O'Mally, Mailley, O'Malley, O'Mailey, Mailey, Maley, Mealey, Mealley, Meally and many more.

Early Notables of the O Malley family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O Malley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O Malley Ranking

In the United States, the name O Malley is the 2,845th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2


United States O Malley 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 O Malley:

O Malley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles, Edward, Hugh, John, Luke, Michael, Miles, Peter, and Thomas O'Malley, who all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
  • Ann O'Malley, aged 17, who landed in America, in 1897
O Malley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Annie O'Malley, aged 20, who settled in America from Carrane, Galway, in 1906
  • Austin O'Malley, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Yoxford, Ireland, in 1909
  • Anne O'Malley, aged 20, who immigrated to America from Castlebar, Ireland, in 1910
  • Alice O'Malley, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Achill Island, Ireland, in 1911
  • Austin O'Malley, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Castelbar, Ireland, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia O Malley migration to Australia +

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

O Malley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Daniel O'malley, (b. 1804), aged 30, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for life , transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 27th July 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1897 3

New Zealand O Malley 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:

O Malley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Barbara O'Malley, (b. 1840), aged 24, British needlewoman travelling from London aboard the ship "Glenmark" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1865 4
  • Miss Bridget O'Malley, (b. 1861), aged 3, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Glenmark" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1865 4

Contemporary Notables of the name O Malley (post 1700) +

  • John William O'Malley SJ (1927-2022), American academic, Catholic historian, and Jesuit priest, University Professor at Georgetown University
  • Edward Richard O'Malley (1863-1935), American lawyer and politician, New York Attorney General
  • Walter O'Malley (1903-1979), American sports executive, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers
  • Robert E O'Malley (b. 1943), American soldier, Medal of Honor recipient
  • Peter O'Malley (b. 1937), American sports administrator, former president and past owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Edwin O'Malley (1881-1955), American Commissioner of Public Markets for New York City
  • Seán Patrick O'Malley OFM Cap (b. 1944), American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
  • Martin J O'Malley (b. 1963), American politician, Governor of Maryland
  • Austin O'Malley (1858-1932), American physician and humorist
  • Desmond Joseph "Des" O'Malley (1939-2021), Irish politician, born in Limerick, Leader of the Progressive Democrats (1985-1993), Minister for Industry and Commerce (1989-1992)
  • ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook