Molloy or O’Molloy is an Irish surname, anglicised from Maolmhuaidh, maolmhuadh meaning ‘Proud Chieftain’. (See also Malloy.) They were part of the southern U Nill, the southern branch of the large tribal grouping claiming descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth-century king who supposedly kidnapped St Patrick to Ireland. They held power over a large part of what is now Co Offaly, where the surname is still very common. A second family were the O Maoil Aodha, ‘descendant of the devotee of (St) Aodh’, from maol, literally ‘bald’, a reference to the distinctive tonsure sported by early Irish monks. As well as Molloy, this surname has also been anglicised as Mulloy, Malloy, Maloy, ‘Miley’ and ‘Millea’. The name arose in east Connacht, in the Roscommon/east Galway region, and remains numerous there today. Notable people with the surname include:
Albin O’Molloy (died 1223), one of the bishops who officiated at the coronation of King Richard the Lionheart in England in 1189Anthony James Pye Molloy, Royal Navy officerAnthony Molloy (disambiguation), several peopleBill Molloy (born 1929), English footballerBobby Molloy, Irish politicianCharles Molloy (journalist) (died 1767), Irish journalist, political activist and minor playwrightCharles Molloy (lawyer) (16401690), Irish lawyer known as a writer on maritime lawFrancie Molloy, Irish politicianGeorgiana Molloy, early settler and botanical collector in Western AustraliaGerald Molloy, Irish theologian and scientistJames Lynam Molloy (18371909), Irish composer and writerJoanna Molloy, American gossip columnistJohn Molloy, early settler in Western AustraliaLeonard Greenham Star Molloy, British Member of ParliamentMargaret Molloy, Irish businesswomanMatt Molloy, Irish musicianMike Molloy, British journalist, newspaper editor, artist and authorMick Molloy, Australian comedian, co-host of the Martin/Molloy radio programMyra Molloy, Thai singerFather Niall Molloy, a priest who died in mysterious circumstances in 1985Seaneen Molloy, Northern Irish blogger and writerSylvia Molloy, British artistThomas Molloy, Australian politicianThomas B. Molloy, Canadian politicianThomas Edmund Molloy, American Bishop of Brooklyn 19211956W. Thomas Molloy, Canadian lawyer and land claim negotiatorIrene Molloy, American actress, singer and songwriter of Irish descent
Source:Wikipedia
