Show ContentsDevally History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Devally

What does the name Devally mean?

The surname Devally is an Anglicization of the original Irish Ó Duibhghiolla, from the Gaelic meaning "black" and "lad." 1

Early Origins of the Devally family

The surname Devally was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where it belonged to two different septs, the Ui Fiachrach in the southwest of the county and the Siol Anmchadha in the southeast.

Early History of the Devally family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Devally research. More information is included under the topic Early Devally History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Devally Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Devilly, O'Devilly, Diffley, Devally, Deffely, Deely and many more.

Early Notables of the Devally family

More information is included under the topic Early Devally Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Devally migration to Canada +

Devally Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Peggy and Thomas Devally, who immigrated to Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834
  • Thomas Devally, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Sea Horse" from Galway, Ireland
  • Peggy Devally, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Sea Horse" from Galway, Ireland

Devally 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:

Devally Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Bessy Devally, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir George Pollock" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand in January 1863 2
  • Mr. Patrick Devally, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir George Pollock" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand in January 1863 2
  • Miss Mary Anne Devally, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir George Pollock" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand in January 1863 2
  • Mr. Thomas Devally, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir George Pollock" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand in January 1863 2
  • Mr. Michael Devally, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir George Pollock" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand in January 1863 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook