Surname Geally - Meaning and Origin

Geally: What does the surname Geally mean?

The last name Geally is a surname of Irish origin, which is derived from the Gaelic name "O'Giollae'. The Irish people of old would have used this as a prefix to their names and in doing so, the prefix would mean ‘descendant or son of’ the person with the name Giolla.

The name Giolla is thought to derive from the word 'giolla' which can be translated as 'servant'. This likely referred to one who is employed in the service of a landowning family. The name may have originally been held by someone with a position of strength and respect within their local community.

In Ireland, the Geally surname has always been a popular one. The name spread as far as Belfast, Donegal, Cork, Galway, and Limerick in the south of the country. It's most densely populated concentration is in County Tyrone. The name is also spread across the UK and United States as well.

The last name Geally provides a clue as to someone's Irish roots, religious background, geographical roots, and social conditions. Its usage hints at a respected position within their local community in the past, however those who currently carry it may or may not want to trace their roots that far back.

Geally: Where does the name Geally come from?

The last name Geally is most common today in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania, where it ranks as the 516th most common surname. The highest density of the name is found in Lehigh Valley, an area of the state near its northeast corner, where it is ranked as the 146th most common surname. The name is also commonly found in the states of New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. Beyond the United States, the name is found primarily in Canada, with the highest concentration in the Province of Quebec where it ranks as the 119th most common surname. Though not as common as it once was, the Geally surname is still found in some small numbers in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. A possible origin for the name comes from an old Irish surname spelled Gially or Gille, which began as a patronymic used for those whose father was named Gil.

Variations of the surname Geally

The surname Geally is an English, Irish, and Scottish name. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Gilla, which become more frequent when the Vikings invaded Ireland. This name is variously spelled as Gielly, Giellley, Geally, Gilly, Gilely, Gillele, Geallay, Gealley and Gilley. The name is believed to be of climatic origin as Irish people believed that naming a child after the weather and elements will bring luck and protection.

In addition to the Gaelic origin, this surname is also reported to have been derived from the Old French phrase 'gaille' which means 'gaiety'. Others theorize that the name is a variant of the Breton 'gieuil' meaning 'youth'.

Some alternative spellings of Geally are Gielly, Gilly, Gilley, Gilly, Gillele, Gealley, Geallay, Gealely and Giellley. Some Anglicized variants of the name are Gill, Giolla, Gillan and Gillespie. The Gaelic spelling is O'Giolla or Mac Giolla.

Geally is a fairly rare name, with just over 300 people with the surname living in the United Kingdom as of 2011. The name is more commonly found in the east of Ireland, and it is also found in parts of North America. In addition to these, Geally also has some German and Dutch variations, including Giehler, Geller and Geler.

Famous people with the name Geally

• John Geally: American singer and songwriter, known for his work with the bands BRODiS and Music Space.
• Jack Geally: Former NFL player who played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Maeve Geally: Former actress and comedian, best known for her roles in the films Anchorman and Geeks.
• Ian Geally: Scotland-born Canadian actor who is best known for his roles in films such as What Dreams May Come and In the Valley of Elah.
• Georgina Geally: British-born swimwear model, known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
• Brian Geally: Irish actor, best known for his role in the web series Ripper Street.
• Ellen Geally: Australian-born actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her role on the sitcom Miranda.
• Steve Geally: Canadian DJ and producer, known for his work with renowned electronic dance music acts.
• Katie Geally: British artist, specializing in oil and pastel paintings.
• Philip Geally: American filmmaker, best known for his award-winning documentary film Bed and Breakfast.

Other surnames

GealleyGeallie