This long-established surname is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic name "O'Dalaigh". The Gaelic prefix "O" indicates "male descendant of", plus the personal nickname "Dalach", from "dail", an assembly or meeting place as in Dail Eireann. Traditionally, Irish family names are taken from the heads of tribes, or from some illustrious warrior, and are usually prefixed by "O", meaning grandson or male descendant of, or "Mac", denoting "son of". The chief O'Daly sept belonged to County Westmeath. Several namebearers of the clan distinguished themselves in the field of literature including the first recorded namebearer (see below).
From County Westmeath, and the bordering parts of County Meath, the (O)Dalys spread to County Clare. Donagh Mor O'Daly (died 1244), who was born at Finvarra, in this county, was called "the Irish Oved". Diarmuid Og O'Daly was made official poet of the MacCarthys of West Cork. Here he acquired family lands. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, a Daly family became Barons of Dunsande and Clan Conal in County Galway, and gave six mayors to the city of Galway. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Curonnacht O'Dalaigh, which was dated 12th Century, he flourished in the 12th Century, and presided over a bardic school in County Meath, during the reign of Interregnum: High Kings of Ireland "with opposition" 1022 - 1166. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Discovering the historical roots of daly is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of daly leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of daly.
Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname daly. There is a considerable probability that daly has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where daly is most abundant are the following.
The historical chronicle of daly is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named daly are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname daly.
We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname daly, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of daly could be modified.
It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished dalys throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname daly, even though not all have been documented to our present day. If you or someone you know bears the surname daly, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname daly who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of daly. The bibliography collects information related to the surname daly, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of daly.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of daly, and at the same time, of surnames in general.