UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Máille meaning "descendant of Máille".
In the 1881 census there were 90 people recorded with the Omally surname, ranking it #20,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #20,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Cupar, Govan Combination and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Omally is 114 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 73.3%.
1881 census count
90
Ranked #20,965
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1891
114 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Omally surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Omally surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 19 | #29,904 |
| 1861 | historical | 24 | #30,922 |
| 1881 | historical | 90 | #20,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 114 | #22,006 |
| 1901 | historical | 70 | #26,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 59 | #26,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 17 | #36,240 |
| 1999 | modern | 22 | #35,725 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 19 | #36,323 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 29 | #36,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 26 | #36,193 |
| 2012 | modern | 30 | #35,929 |
| 2013 | modern | 30 | #35,990 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Cupar, Govan Combination, Toxteth Park, Gateshead and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupar | Fife |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Omally surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Omally, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Omally surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Omally household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Omally is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Omally is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Omally, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname OMALLY is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Máille, which originated in County Mayo, Ireland during the 12th century. It is derived from the word "maille," meaning "chief" or "leader," indicating that the name was originally borne by a person of high social standing or a chieftain.
The earliest recorded mention of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention several members of the Ó Máille clan, who were influential in the affairs of County Mayo and its surrounding regions.
One notable figure was Tomaltach Ó Máille, a 14th-century chieftain who played a significant role in the Irish-Norman conflicts of the time. He is recorded as having fought against the Anglo-Norman forces and defended his territories against their encroachment.
Another prominent individual was Éamonn Ó Máille (c. 1550-1627), a distinguished scholar and historian who authored several works on Irish history and genealogy. His writings provide valuable insights into the Ó Máille clan and their ancestral homeland in County Mayo.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in various forms, including O'Maly, O'Maley, and O'Malley, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Grace O'Malley (c. 1530-1603), a formidable Irish pirate queen who commanded a fleet of ships and engaged in daring naval exploits along the western coast of Ireland.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the OMALLY surname spread beyond County Mayo as members of the clan migrated to other parts of Ireland and abroad. Notable individuals from this period include John O'Malley (1676-1741), an Irish Catholic priest and writer who was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church in England.
Throughout its history, the surname OMALLY has been associated with various place names in County Mayo, such as Ballinasmalla, which translates to "the town of the O'Malleys," further reinforcing the clan's strong ties to the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Omally surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 27 Omallys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.89x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 27 | 3.89x |
| Lanarkshire | 16 | 8.45x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.75x |
| Midlothian | 4 | 5.10x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.52x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.67x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.57x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.17x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Castleton in Lancashire leads with 9 Omallys recorded in 1881 and an index of 129.87x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Castleton | 9 | 129.87x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 6 | 108.89x |
| Toxteth Park | 6 | 25.52x |
| Barony | 5 | 10.44x |
| Old Monkland | 5 | 66.58x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 5 | 42.48x |
| Edinburgh Tron Church | 4 | 1081.08x |
| Glasgow | 3 | 8.93x |
| Govan | 3 | 6.41x |
| Fareham | 2 | 138.89x |
| Preston | 2 | 625.00x |
| Adwick Le Street | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 9.07x |
| Didsbury | 1 | 108.70x |
| Droylsden | 1 | 44.05x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.07x |
| Preston | 1 | 5.38x |
| Throckley | 1 | 416.67x |
| Tyldesley Cum Shakerley | 1 | 50.00x |
| Westoe | 1 | 10.13x |
| Whittle Le Woods | 1 | 434.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Omally surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Omally surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Omally households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Bricklayers Laborer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Gen Labourers Wife | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Medical Officers Wife R N | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Out Door Labourer | 1 |
| Paviour | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Plumbers Wife | 1 |
| Secondhand Clothes Dealer | 1 |
| Ships Steward | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 90 people were recorded with the Omally surname. That placed it at #20,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Omally a modern rank of #36,392.
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Máille meaning "descendant of Máille".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Omally bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.