Show ContentsVallely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Vallely

What does the name Vallely mean?

This name has predominantly been found in Armagh since the earliest times. However, a more Anglicized form of the name has also been found in Monaghan Hearth Money Rolls in the 17th century. The name is possibly deriving from Irish Mac Giolla Mhuire, Mac Giolla Mhura or Mac Giolla Bhearshúiligh.

Early Origins of the Vallely family

The surname Vallely was first found in Armagh since before the 17th century. The Mac or Mc prefix is rarely used today but early Gaelic records show the name with this prefix in the aforementioned Monaghan rolls. A literal translation of the Gaelic Mac an Bhallaigh variant is derived from the Gaelic word "ballach" which means "freckled." There is confusion between the use of the "l" and the "r" sound midway through the word. Some believe that both sets of variants come from the same root while others believe that they are different in origin. Nevertheless, both originate in Armagh, but the name has also been seen in County Galway and County Clare on rare occasions.

Early History of the Vallely family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vallely research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1659, 1660, 1664, 1665 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Vallely History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vallely Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Vallelly, Vallillee, Varrilly, Ilvallely, Ilvelluly, Verrelly, Varley, MacVallelly, MacVarrilly, MacIlvallely and many more.

Early Notables of the Vallely family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

  • the Vallely families of Armagh...


Vallely migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Vallely Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Vallely, who settled in Philadelphia in 1812
  • Bridget Vallely, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 1
  • Patrick Vallely, aged 20, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 1
  • Margaret Vallely, who settled in New York in 1849
  • Margaret Vallely, aged 28, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Vallely migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Vallely Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Vallely, who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1842

Contemporary Notables of the name Vallely (post 1700) +

  • Mike Vallely (b. 1970), American professional skateboarder
  • John Vallely (b. 1949), American former NBA basketball player
  • Jim Vallely, American TV producer and screenwriter
  • Bill Vallely (b. 1952), American illustrator
  • Paul E. Vallely, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from California 7th District, 1982 2
  • James Vallely, American politician, Mayor of Canton, Ohio, 1879-81 2
  • Edward L. Vallely, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 51st District, 1936 2
  • Niall Vallely (b. 1970), Irish traditional musician
  • Cillian Vallely, Irish traditional musician
  • Major General Paul E. Vallely, US soldier and military consultant for FOX News
  • ... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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