Surname Maelereigh - Meaning and Origin
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Maelereigh: What does the surname Maelereigh mean?
The last name Maelereigh is of Irish origin and is thought to derive from the Gaelic Ó Maoilriain, which was a personal name meaning “descendant of the servant of the king”. The name is believed to have originated from the ancient Irish kingdom of Meath. The prefix ‘Maol’ signifies a person devoted to a cause and ‘riain’ is king or a ruler.
In modern-day Ireland, Maelereigh is a common name in some areas, particularly counties Roscommon, Longford, Sligo, and Cavan. It is thought that during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Maelereighs were a powerful family and owned considerable portions of land in Connacht.
The meaning of the name is indicative of an active and tenacious individual who has a tenacious dedication to something or someone. The legacy of the Maelereighs is one of dedication, leadership and courage. From their roots as the sworn protector of the Kingdom of Meath to their modern descendants who honor the Maelereigh legacy by working as community leaders and educators, the descendants of this noble family continue to stand up and make a difference in the lives of those around them.
Order DNA origin analysisMaelereigh: Where does the name Maelereigh come from?
Maelereigh is a surname of Scottish origin. It is most commonly found in Ireland, Scotland, and the northeastern United States. Categories of Maelereigh in the United States has its origins over hundreds of years ago, with many Maelereigh families settling in America after leaving Scotland and Ireland.
In Scotland, Maelereigh is derived from the Gaelic MacAmlaraigh, a patronymic name meaning "son of Amhlarach". Amhlarach was a given name of uncertain origin, but likely derived from the Old Norse words amr ("eagle") and lar ("rider").
In the northeast of the United States, the Maelereigh surname is primarily found in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Pennsylvania has the highest concentration, with the Maelereigh family having settled in Philadelphia in the 1800s. The Maelereigh census count in 1910 showed that most Maelereighs living in Pennsylvania were of Irish-born backgrounds.
The Maelereigh family also has deep roots in Rhode Island, with many members of the family living in Providence. There is also a Maelereigh Road in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, perhaps indicative of a continuing presence in the area.
Although the surname Maelereigh is a less common one today, it still persists in areas where the family once settled. It is likely that the family has moved and settled in other places, too, as they adapted to the changing times.
Variations of the surname Maelereigh
The surname Maelereigh is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Ó Maolfhabhaill, meaning ‘descendant of Maolfabhaill’. It is also spelled several different ways, including: Mailfholay, Mailfhalay, Milfoyle, Mulfayl, Malviell, Malvey, Mulvey, Mallibone, Malloy, Mallon, Molvin, Mulvey and Moloney.
The variants of the Maelereigh surname are particularly associated with County Cavan and County Monaghan in Ireland. They are descended from a certain 10th century king named Maolfabhaill, from whom the original surname is derived.
Overall, the common variants of the Maelereigh surname are Mailfholay, Mailfhalay, Milfoyle, Mulfayl, Malviell, Malvey, Mulvey, Mallibone, Malloy, Mallon, Molvin, Mulvey and Moloney. In particular, the most popular variants of Maelereigh are Malloy, Mulvey, and Mallon or Moloney.
In terms of spellings, there are several variations of Maelereigh, including but not limited to: Maelereigh, Maulfholay, Mailfhalay, Milfoyle, Mulfayl, Malviell, Malvey, Mulvey, Mallibone, Malloy, Mallon, Molvin, Mulvey and Moloney.
Finally, there are several different surnames which are derived from or related to Maelereigh, such as Ó Maolfhabhaill, Ó Maolfhábhaill, O’Malvey, O’Molvin, O’Mulvey and O'Moloney. These are all variations on the same original surname, Ó Maolfhabhaill, meaning ‘descendant of Maolfabhaill’.
Famous people with the name Maelereigh
- Maelereigh Johnson: musician and member of the band Ember Island, most known for their 2015 hit single "The Ever After".
- Maelereigh Keller: renowned Australian architect responsible for some of the iconic architecture in Sydney's CBD, Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour.
- Maelereigh Hartman: British writer who rose to literary fame after the success of his 2002 novel "The Light Keeper".
- Maelereigh Cohen: Former United States Senator, known for her work on improving healthcare.
- Maelereigh Bennett: American television actor best known for her role on the long-running hit show "Friends".
- Maelereigh Branson: Founder and CEO of Virgin Group Ltd, a multinational conglomerate with interests in multiple industries.
- Maelereigh O'Neal: Lead vocalist and lyricist of the alternative rock band "Dead Shadow".
- Maelereigh Jones: Olympic silver medalist swimmer from the United Kingdom, known for her freestyle and butterfly events.
- Maelereigh Tan: Malaysian-born fashion designer responsible for the hugely successful ME+EM fashion range.
- Maelereigh Wahlberg: American actor most well-known for his role in the blockbuster movie franchise "Transformers".