Mulley History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of MulleyWhat does the name Mulley mean? The Irish name Mulley was originally written in a Gaelic form as Ó Maolmhuaidh, which is derived from the word "muadh," which has the dual meaning of "noble" and "big and soft." 1 The Sept Molloy are the traditional Lords of Fircall, King's County and claim direct "descent from Eochaidh, brother of Tuahal who No. 89 on the 'MacGeoghagens' pedigree, ancestor of O'Maoluaidh, anglicised O'Molloy, and Molloy." 2 From the Lords, the Molloys of Aghadonoher, King's County and the Molloys of Harperstown and Oakport, County Roscommon descend. 2 Early Origins of the Mulley familyThe surname Mulley was first found in County Offaly (Irish: Uíbh Fháilí) originally the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, located in central Ireland in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times. The aforementioned MacGeoghagan who were Lords of Moycassell and Fertullagh, in Westmeath claim descent from Fiach, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the 126th Monarch of Ireland who reigned c. 405. He was one of the Heremon Kings of Ireland. 2 Albin O'Molloy or Alpin O'Moelmhuaidh (d. 1223), was Bishop of Ferns, a native Irishman, "who became a Cistercian monk at Baltinglass, and eventually rose to be abbot of that house. In Lent 1186, when John, archbishop of Dublin, held a synod at Holy Trinity Church, Albin preached a long sermon on clerical continency, in which he laid all the blame for existing evils on the Welsh and English clergy who had come over to Ireland. On 5 Nov. he was appointed by Pope Innocent III, with the Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Kilmacduagh, to excommunicate the Bishop of Waterford, who had robbed the Bishop of Lismore." 3 Early History of the Mulley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mulley research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1110, 1640, 1641, 1652, 1660, 1663, 1667, 1669, 1690, 1702, 1742, 1758, 1764 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Mulley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mulley Spelling VariationsA name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Mulley include Molloy, Mulloy, Miley, O'Molloy, O'Mulloy, Mullee and many more. Early Notables of the Mulley familyProminent amongst the family at this time was John O'Molloy of English parish, Sugawn chief, Lord of Fercal (Feara Ceall), OffalyFrancis Molloy or O'Maolmhuaidh (fl. 1660), was an Irish theologian and grammarian, a native of the county of Meath, Ireland. "The family of which he was a member had extensive landed possessions in the district known as O'Molloys' Country, and some of them engaged actively in the Irish movements from 1641 to 1652." 3Charles Molloy (1640-1690), was an Irish lawyer of the Middle Temple, born in County Offaly. He was "a native of King's County and was probably a member of... Migration of the Mulley familyIn the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Mulley family came to North America quite early: Charles Molloy, who came to Boston in 1725; Arthur Molloy, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1750; William Mulloy, a Loyalist, who came to Ontario, Canada from America in 1796.
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: Malo mori quam foedari Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.
|