Surname Donlevy - Meaning and Origin

Donlevy: What does the surname Donlevy mean?

Donlevy is a surname of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Donnshléibhe", meaning “descendant of Donnshléibhe”. The name itself is made up of two components, with "Donn" which translates as "brown" or "chief", and "sleibhe" which translates as "of the mountain", so combined meaning “brown mountain” or "chief of the mountain". The name traces back to the ancient Irish kingdom of Ulaid in the northern part of the island, now modern day Ulster. It is widely spread but mostly found in Counties Leitrim and Donegal in Northern Ireland. Variations of the surname include Donleavy, Dunleavy, and Dunlevy. The name is associated with a rich history in Irish politics and academia. Noteworthy people with the name include Irish-American novelist J.P. Donleavy and American actor Brian Donlevy.

Donlevy: Where does the name Donlevy come from?

The last name Donlevy has Irish origins and is a somewhat Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O'Dunlaing" or "O'Dunlevy." The name means "descendant of Dunlaing," Dunlaing being a personal name composed of elements meaning "fortress" and "champion."

The name traces back to ancient royalty in Ireland; the O'Donlevys were princes of Ulidia, a historical region of Ireland that approximately covered the modern county of Down and part of County Antrim. Later some members of the family served as physicians to the O’Donnell chieftains in Donegal. During the tumultuous years of the 17th century, many Donlevys were dispossessed and dispersed, and some reached mainland Europe where they were known as "Princes of Ulster."

Presently, the name Donlevy can be found in many English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, UK, Australia, and Canada as a result of the dispersion during historical periods of Irish emigration. However, it is not particularly common in any of these places. Within Ireland itself, it can be found but is also not among the more common surnames.

Variations of the surname Donlevy

The surname Donlevy has multiple regional variants and spellings. In Ireland it originally appeared in Gaelic as O'Donnghaile, derived from the original personal name Donnghal. Variations also found include Dunleavy, Dunlevy, Donleavy, O’Donlevy, O’Dunleavy, Donlevey, Dunlevey, Dunlavey, Donlavey, and Donnavy.

These different spellings often occurred due to Anglicization or regional dialects dictating different phonetic interpretations. For instance, the “v” in Dunleavy may have become silent or interchangeable with a “w” sound, resulting in Dunlewy. Over time and as families migrated, these phonetic interpretations eventually became formalized into different spellings.

It's worth noting that the "O'" prefix in the Irish context denotes "descendant of," referring to the family's patriarchal lineage. Because of English suppression of the Irish language and culture, many "O'"s were dropped from Irish surnames but they have been somewhat restored in recent times.

The name has spread with Irish diaspora to England, Scotland, Australia, the United States, and Canada, leading to an even greater variety of spellings and potential variations. Despite the variation in letters and pronunciation, all these different versions trace back to the same Gaelic origin.

Famous people with the name Donlevy

• Brian Donlevy: a renowned American actor from the 1930s to the 1970s. He is best remembered for playing tough character roles in films such as “Beau Geste”, “The Great McGinty” and “The Scorpion”.
• Scotty Donlevy: a popular American actor from the late 1950s and early 1960s. He appeared in films such as “Sea Hunt”, “The Subterraneans” and “The Young Grizzlies”.
• Cara Donlevy: a musician and actress best known for her work in indie films such as “The Suburbanites” and “The Locket”.
• Jack Donlevy: a comedic actor recognized for his role as Grandpa Arnold Hiatt on the sitcom “Strokes”.
• John Donlevy: a British actor known for his roles in “Foyle’s War” and “EastEnders”.
• William Donlevy: a Canadian actor who starred alongside both Sean Connery and Harrison Ford in the 1986 action-filled “The Name of the Rose”.
• Micky Donlevy: an actor, director and screenwriter who has appeared in films such as “Brainstorm” and “The Alamo”.
• Robert Donlevy: a British actor whose career spanned over five decades, starring in films such as “Hopscotch” and “The Man Who Never Was”.
• Vincent Donlevy: a French model and actor who appeared in films such as “The Baby Sitters” and “L’Amour Fou”.
• Caitlin Donlevy: an actress and model who has appeared in films such as “The Artist” and television series such as “The Vampire Diaries”.

Other surnames

DonleavyDonley