Surname O'Healy - Meaning and Origin
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O'Healy: What does the surname O'Healy mean?
The last name O'Healy is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic surname "O'hEalaighthe". The given name was most likely derived from the Old Irish Áed meaning "fire" and Laighe, meaning "brightness." During the medieval period, this combination of names was likely given to someone known for their fiery energy, or sparked leadership.
When Irish names were Anglicized, the prefix of Ó (meaning "descendent of") became O’ hence transforming Ó hEalaighthe into O’Healy. This surname generally denotes that an individual who holds it is descended from the O’ hEalaighthe Clan from south-west Ireland in the County Cork and County Kerry.
Many people in Ireland with the surname O'Healy have a strong sense of loyalty and duty, with a deep commitment to family and friends. The O'Healy Clan have a long history of courage in battle, and often bear a deep respect for justice and order. This is evidenced by a quote from their founder, Dia, “for the sake of justice, I will fight”.
The name O'Healy is not an especially rare surname in Ireland today. However, it is likely that within the diasporic community of Irish people that has grown around the world, it is one of the most common surnames still in use.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Healy: Where does the name O'Healy come from?
The last name O'Healy is most commonly found in the counties of Kerry, Cork, and Limerick in Ireland today. According to the website Surnames.org, the last name O'Healy was developed in the 14th century in the province of Munster, located in the southwest of Ireland. It is originally derived from the Gaelic surname O'h Eighligh, meaning “descendant of Eighligh”, a personal name meaning “warlike”. After the 14th century, the name spread throughout Ireland, with more concentrations living in Cork and nearby counties.
Today, the name O'Healy can be found in some countries around the world, such as the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, due to the mass migration of Irish individuals during the 19th and 20th century.
Within Ireland, the last name O'Healy is most common in the counties of Kerry, Cork, and Limerick. These counties lie in the same general area of Munster where the name originally started. Furthermore, according to the Irish Times, 13.99 out of every 10,000 people in Ireland have the surname O'Healy.
The last name O'Healy is a testament to the long-standing Irish culture and traditions that has been passed down over the centuries. Though there is a global Irish diaspora today, the most concentration of the name is still very much the same population of Munster in southwestern Ireland.
Variations of the surname O'Healy
The O'Healy surname originated from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó hEalaighthe, meaning one who descended from Ealacht.
Variant spellings for O'Healy include O'Haly, O'Hailey, O'Hailie, O'Heaylie, O'Heileigh, O'Hæly, and even Hailey. Less common surnames that are variations of O'Healy include Ohallihan, O'Hallahan, Healey, and Heeley.
O'Healy is an anglicized form of the ancient Irish name, meaning descendant of Ealacht. In some cases the surname was altered from the Irish to fit a similar pronunciation in the English language, which is why there are so many different spellings of the surname.
The O'Healy surname is mostly found in Irish areas such as County Clare, Cork, Galway, and Wexford, with County Mayo having the highest concentration of those bearing the name. It is also found in other parts of the world such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.
The O'Healy coat of arms is described as a chevron between three owls displayed in a natural colour. The chevron is an heraldic sign which traditionally signifies protection and defense. Owls symbolize intelligence and wisdom, and the O'Healy arms depicts that the bearer of the name is courageous and wise. The motto "Adversis Fortis" translates into brave against adversity in Latin.
Famous people with the name O'Healy
- Steve O'Healy: an American Fantasy Football player and writer based in San Francisco.
- Brendan O'Healy: an Irish Gaelic footballer and son of legendary Gaelic footballer Seán O'Healy.
- John O'Healy: an Irish actor and the former husband of British actress Helena Bonham Carter.
- Seán O'Healy: an Irish Gaelic footballer, who held the record for the most medals won in the Inter-county Championship.
- Christina O'Healy: an Australian television presenter, best known for her eight year role on The Great Outdoors.
- Michael O'Healy: an American film producer and former executive vice president of Chartoff-Winkler Productions.
- Liz O'Healy: an Australian television actress best known for her roles on TV series Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess.
- Laurence O'Healy: a New Zealand actor best known for his roles in Son of a Gun and All My Children.
- Paul O'Healy: an American sports journalist and radio talk show host.
- B.P. O'Healy: an Australian rower and Olympic silver medalist.