First found in Limerick, where they were anciently seated as Lords and Chiefs of Knockalong Castle in the parish and barony of Knockalong, Costlea, the ruins of which still exist. Irish history was greatly influenced by the Norman invasion of 1172, and thereafter, the surnames of Irish Gaelic clanns and septs and many of the Norman families became almost indistinguishable. This family name was found later in Rath Hurly, another of their ancient castles which is now in ruins in Kilcullane, in Small barony, Kilcullane, a castle they erected in 1464. The sept is descended from the race of Brenan Ban, on the O'Brien line. Later they built another strong castle in the parish of Kilnelonahan, where Dermod O'Hurley, built his fortress.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Darby Hurlie, who settled in St. Christopher in 1635; Tusloe Urley, who arrived in Maryland in 1682; John Murley, who settled in New York, NY in 1820.

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