Show ContentsMeally History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Meally

What does the name Meally mean?

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

Early Origins of the Meally family

The surname Meally 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 Meally family

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

Meally 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 Meally 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 Meally family

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


Meally migration to Australia +

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

Meally Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Meally, (O'Meley), (b. 1814), aged 18, Irish labourer who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "City of Edinburgh II" on 18th March 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1896 2
  • Mr. John Meally, (O'Meley, O'Maille), (b. 1798), aged 34, Irish labourer who was convicted in County mayo, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "City of Edinburgh II" on 18th March 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
  • John Meally (aged 21), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Aurora"
  • Michael Meally (aged 18), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Aurora"
  • William Meally (aged 16), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Aurora"
  • ... (More 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. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 11th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/city-of-edinburgh


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