Gormley (modern Irish:Ó Garmaile)[1] is an Irish surname. It is derived from theGaelicÓ Goirmleadhaigh meaning 'descendant of Gormghal'. The mainsept of the clan originated inTyrconnell (present dayCounty Donegal) and then spread intoTyrone. The Ulster branch of the clan were chiefs of theCenél Moain and originated in what is now thebarony ofRaphoe in East Donegal, an area known inGaelic times asTír Moain. The common ancestor and progenitor of these Gormleys was Moain son of Muireadach, son of Eoghan, son ofNiall of the Nine Hostages.
In theAnnals of the Four Masters and in theTopographical Poems of O'Dugan and O'Heerin, the name is speltÓ Goirmleadhaigh; theAnnals of Loch Cé write itÓ Gormshuil andÓ Gormshuiligh: the editor (William Hennessy) writing in 1871 states that the latter was then anglicised O'Gormooly, but Gormley is universal today. The name means “blue spearman”.
In thePartry Mountains ofCounty Mayo in the West of Ireland is found a sept also called Gormley, Gormaly and Gormilly. The Irish form of this family's name isÓ Goirmghialla or possiblyÓ Gormghaille, both Irish forms meaning “blue hostage”. They were chiefs of this area along with the Darcy or Dorcey family. The present parish of Ballyovey, also called the parish of Party, shows the location of this ancient territory in Mayo. In the area ofLough Key,County Roscommon, we find families of the name (O') Gormaly or Gormally. O'Donovan says that these are quite distinct from the O'Gormleys ofCounty Tyrone and that the Irish form of this name isÓ Garmghaile. It is likely that this family is of the same stock as the Mayo sept, but it is unclear if both are related to the main sept ofUlster.[citation needed]
In seventeenth century records they are found both as O'Gormley and Mac Gormley, located chiefly in countiesArmagh andLondonderry in modern-dayNorthern Ireland, but also inCounty Roscommon andCounty Westmeath, Republic of Ireland. Gormleys today are chiefly found inCounty Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and surrounding areas.
