Daly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The spelling and overall form of Irish names often vary considerably. The original Gaelic form of the name Daly is Ó Dalaigh, from the word "dalach," which comes from "dail," which means "assembly." 1

Early Origins of the Daly family

The surname Daly was first found in the barony of Magheradernon, in County Westmeath and traditionally claim descent from Eanna Ceannselach (Ian Kinsella), King of Leinster. They became Chiefs of Muintir Bhaire in the south west of Cork, and later in the north west of the same county, largely in O'Keefe's country. A distinct sept was found in Desmond as early as 1165.

"Cuconnachta-na-Scoil O'Daly (or "Cuconnachta of the Schools") was the first of this family that assumed the surname." 2

Early History of the Daly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Daly research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1139, 1574, 1583, 1595, 1600, 1614, 1617, 1638, 1662, 1665, 1680, 1721, 1902, 1955 and 1976 are included under the topic Early Daly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Daly Spelling Variations

Because early scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded, a person could have many various spellings of his name.Many different spelling variations of the surname Daly were found in the archives researched. These included Daly, Daley, Daylie, Dayley, Dalley, Dailey, Daily, Dailley, Dally, O'Daily, O'Daley and many more.

Early Notables of the Daly family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Daly World Ranking

In the United States, the name Daly is the 1,349th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Daly is ranked the 349th most popular surname with an estimated 10,333 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Daly is the 504th popular surname with an estimated 1,364 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Daly as 481st with 13,383 people. 6


Daly migration to the United States +

A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name Daly:

Daly Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Daly Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Daly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Daly Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Daly migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Daly Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Daly Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daly migration to Australia +

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

Daly Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Daly Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Daly 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:

Daly Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Daly migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16
Daly Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Daly (post 1700) +


The Daly 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: Deo fidelis et Regi
Motto Translation: Loyal to God and king
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