Surname Quigley - Meaning and Origin

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H. Quigley

Quigley: What does the surname Quigley mean?

The last name Quigley is of Irish origin and is derived from the Irish name Ó Cuaig which was a Gaelic Sept located in the Connacht Province of Ireland.

This sept originally came from the ancient Desmonic Ui Fiachrach kingdom in County Mayo. The surname Quilgey is believed to be related to the ancient principal of the baronies of Tirawley and Carra.

This name is characterised by its strong clan connections as its origin lies in a family’s sense of united pride. Individuals bearing the Quilegy name derived from this heritage are considered to be proud and loyal.

The original meaning of the name Ó Cuaig, translated in English, means 'Descendant of Cuaig', the founder of the sept. The name is known for having been a principal name of note in the Connemara, County Mayo and County Sligo areas.

Various use of the spelling of Ó Cuaig include Quigly, Quilgie, Quilgy, Quilkey, Quiggey, Quiglee, Quilgey, Quiligy and Quigee.

In modern day, Quigley is a popular Irish surname with over 11,000 people carrying the name. Its international diaspora has spread and taken root in parts of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Although the ancestry of the name is mostly Irish, the Quigleys of today bear witness to the fact that borders and cultures do not make families - ideologies do. The surname connotes a strong sense of loyalty and connection which is enjoyed by its founders and all who share in the proud Quigley name.

Quigley: Where does the name Quigley come from?

The last name Quigley is most common today in the United States and Ireland. In the United States, Quigley is the 1,934th most common surname and was ranked 8,639th in 2015, according to the United States Census Bureau. Throughout the country, the surname is most popular in New Jersey, where it ranks 121st. The largest cluster of Quigleys is located in the Northeast, primarily in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

In Ireland, the surname Quigley can be found all over the island, but it is most popular in County Clare, where it is ranked 23rd out of all surnames, according to the database Irish Times. Its usage is also fairly popular in Roscommon, Mayo, and Sligo.

The Quigley name is derived from the Gaelic Mac Cuige, which means "son of the tuft or tuft bearer." Irish families that bore this name first settled in the county of Clare many centuries ago and spread throughout the north and south of the country when Ulster was colonized in the seventeenth century. Today, there are many descendants of the original Quigley clans throughout the United States and Ireland.

Variations of the surname Quigley

The surname Quigley has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variant spellings of Quigley include Quiglee, Quigly, Quiglie, Quiglye, and Quiglian.

Quiglan is a variant of the Quigley surname which is derived from both Ireland and Scotland; this distinct Irish spellings is most likely derived from the Gaelic Mac an uidhiligh, which indicates a families descent from a legendary 12th century warrior.

Keggan and Kwigans are anglicized versions of the Irish surname Ó Caogain, which is a Gaelic form of Quigley. This name and its various spellings have been found in various records in counties Donegal and Londonderry.

Quayle is another variant of the Quigley surname, found mostly in the Isle of Man. This version of the surname is believed to be derived from the Manx Gaelic "coill" which meant "wood" or "forest".

McQuage is a Scottish variant of Quigley, and is derived from a Gaelic place-name which translates to mean “field of the Mallard”. This surname has also been found in various records in counties Donegal and Londonderry.

Overall, the Williams surname has a range of common and uncommon variants, such as Quiglee, Quigly, Quiglie, Quiglye, Quiglian, Keggan, Kwigans, Quayle, McQuage, and Ó Caogain, which all share a common origin with Quigley.

Famous people with the name Quigley

• Melissa Quigley: Actress
• Maggie Quigley: Actress
• Larry Quigley: Former baseball player
• Pat Quigley: Former NFL kicker
• Ron Quigley: Former NBA player
• Brendan Quigley: Figure skater
• Ethel Quigley: Singer
• Drew Quigley: Football player
• Tina Quigley: Soccer Player
• Josh Quigley: Professional cyclist

Other surnames

Quigly