Surname Devally - Meaning and Origin

Devally: What does the surname Devally mean?

The last name Devally is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Dubhghaill," which is composed of two distinct words, "dubh" meaning "black" and "gaill" meaning "stranger." The Devally surname is believed to have originated in County Donegal, and is associated with the ancient Clan O'Doherty.

The Devally surname became quite common in County Donegal from the mid-14th century onwards and is associated with a proud and ancient heritage. It's thought that the original Devally family first settled in the area around the same time, making them one of the oldest clans in the region. The surname Devally would have been adopted by people of the same extended family, and is likely to have been passed down through many generations.

The meaning of the Devally surname could derive from the black stranger of the region, in reference to the many travelers and foreign-born immigrants that came to Ireland during the Middle Ages, or simply to the dark hair of the original family members. Other interpretations are that the Devally surname is derived from the cushions and pillows of the horse saddles that were used by the earliest family members in their travels.

In more recent times, the Devally family name has spread across the whole of Ireland and beyond, and it is an important part of the country's rich cultural heritage.

Devally: Where does the name Devally come from?

The Devally surname is of Irish origin. It is most commonly found in County Mayo, located in the west of Ireland. The Devallys originate from the Ó Maolfabhail family, a noble Gaelic clan who trace their lineage back to the 12th century. The Devally name was also common in parts of Connacht,Donegal, and Tyrone in the north of the country.

The surname is still present in Ireland today, with a few individuals scattered throughout the whole country. Some descendants of the original Devally family have emigrated, primarily to the United Kingdom and the United States of America, often settling in urban areas.

Devallys are still primarily associated with Irish ancestry. This can be seen in various contexts. There are Clan Devally pages on genealogical websites, and many individuals with Devally ancestry have joined in recent years. Additionally, in 2017 The Irish Theatre Company of NYC produced the one-man play Who’s Your Devally?, written and directed by Jeff Devally. This play explored the story of three generations of Devallys who emigrated from County Mayo to America in the early 20th century.

Overall, the Devally surname still has a strong connection to Ireland. The name is lovingly remembered and honored by those of Irish descent, and there are still occasional sightings in Ireland. Although the Devally name may not be as common as it was centuries ago, its legacy continues to live on.

Variations of the surname Devally

The surname Devally has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of Devally include Devally, Devall, Devalle, Devaul, Devaulx, and Deval.

Devally is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic ‘Ó Daimheiligh’. The Gaelic prefix ‘Ó’ means ‘grandson of’. Therefore, the surname Devally indicates descent from a man named Daimheiligh. This man’s personal name is believed to be based on a Gaelic word meaning ‘dutiful’ or ‘devoted’.

The Devally surname is also likely to have been anglicized in different regions. In Gaelic, the letter ‘v’ can easily be confused with the letter ‘b’, and it is likely that the name became ‘Devall’ in some regions. The letter ‘x’ is often an alternate spelling to the letter ‘l’ in French, and this may explain why the name ‘Devaulx’ has also been recorded. The letter ‘u’ is often confused with the letter ‘a’ in many languages, and this is probably why the surname ‘Devaul’ has been recorded.

Therefore, Devally has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Devally, Devall, Devalle, Devaul, Devaulx, and Deval. All of these variants likely refer to descent from a man named Daimheiligh, who was dutiful or devoted.

Famous people with the name Devally

• Max de Vally: a British actor known for his role as Albert Ames in the British soap Coronation Street.
• Ann De Vally: an American artist who has featured in numerous exhibitions.
• Tyler deVally: a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who has written and arranged songs for pop, rock and musical theater.
• John DeVally: a New York lawyer and avid outdoorsman, who was the first to summit Kangchenjunga in 1955.
• Ollie DeVally: a British comedian, writer, actor and podcast presenter.
• Mona de Vally: an American theatre director, choreographer, and actor, known for her work with The Lincoln Center and The New York Philharmonic.
• Rhys DeVally: a British actor best known for playing 'Pete' in the BBC drama series 'Rillsy Hill'.
• Eva de Vally: a British vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, who has released numerous albums and EPs and has toured all over the world.
• Wayne de Vally: an Australian sculptor, who has works in galleries and private collections across the world.
• Bill DeVally: an American sound designer and composer, whose work has been featured in film, television, video games and stage productions.

Other surnames

deValera