Ó Maolmhuaidh
Maolmhuaidh is an Irish surname, generally anglicised as Molloy or Mulloy. Like other Irish surnames, Maolmhuaidh is patronymic. The male version is Ó Maolmhuaidh with the name in the genitive or possessive case preceded by ("ó" or “ua” meaning "grandson or descendant"); the female versions is Ní Mhaolmhuaidh ("ní" a contaction of “iníon” meaning "daughter”, there is no equivalent of Mrs as women in gaelic society retained their maiden names after marriage); the family or house name is Uí Mhaolmhuaidh “uí” being plural of “ua” or “ó”.
Ó Maolmhuaidh Fir Cell
The Uí Maolmhuaidh of Fir Cell (men of the churches, in what is now County Offaly) claimed descent from the southern Uí Néill. The 16th-century mercenary, Captain Greene O'Mulloy, was of this family.
Ó Maoil Aodha Oirthir Connachta
The Uí Maoil Aodha ("descendant of the devotee of (St.) Aodh") family lived in east Connacht, and is now found as both Mullee and Molloy.
Ó Maolmhaodhóg Tir Connall
The Uí Maolmhaodhóg ("descendant of the devotee of (St.) Maodhóg") surname is now usually rendered as Mulvogue, or Logue, but sometimes Molloy, particularly around the Glenties area of County Donegal.
Instances
The 1890 registration of births found bearers of the surname concentrated in counties Donegal, Dublin, Galway, and Mayo.
Notables of the name
- Ailbe Ua Maíl Mhuaidh (died 1223), bishop of Ferns
- Froinsias Ó Maolmhuaidh (c.1606-77), Franciscan friar, theologian and grammarian
- James Lynam Molloy (1837-1909), songwriter
- William Theodore Mulloy (1892–1959), bishop of Covington
- Gardnar Mulloy (born 1913), former tennis player
- M.J. Molloy (1917-1994), farmer and playwright
- William Mulloy (1917–1978), American anthropologist.
- Sheila Mulloy, writer and historian.
- James T. Molloy (1936–2011) Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives
- Bobby Molloy (born 1936), retired TD
- Phil Mulloy (born 1948), British animator.
- The Mulloy Brothers, traditional Irish ballad group
- Daniel Mulloy (born 1977), British artist and filmmaker
- Trevor Molloy (born 1977), Irish professional footballer
- Lucy Mulloy (born 1979), screenwriter and film director
- Aaron Molloy (born 1997), Irish professional footballer