Gooly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Gooly

What does the name Gooly mean?

Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original Gaelic form of the name Gooly is Mac Giolla Chuille. Cuille has been suggested to be an abbreviation of Mochuille, the name of a saint. However, other origins also exist for this name.

Early Origins of the Gooly family

The surname Gooly was first found in Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh), where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Gooly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gooly research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1667, 1743 and 1809 are included under the topic Early Gooly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gooly Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Gooly has been spelled Cooley, Cooling, Cowley, Cully, Colly, McCooley, Coaley, Coolyng, Couley, Colley, McCowley, Cooleng, McCoolay, Coolay, Collay, Cullay, Cowleigh, Culleigh and many more.

Early Notables of the Gooly family

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

Migration of the Gooly family

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gooly were among those contributors: William, being a mariner of New London in 1634. John Cooley settled at Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1638. Peter Cooley was a freeman of Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1664.