Malloy first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Malloy has been for the last 17 years (from 2006 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Malloy

An Irish name derived from the Gaelic "ó Máille" meaning "descendant of Maille".

Popularity of Malloy by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Malloy is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Malloy.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 6 0
2017 9 0
2013 6 0
2012 5 0
2010 5 0
2006 5 0

The history of the first name Malloy

The given name Malloy has its origins in the Gaelic language, which was spoken in Ireland and parts of Scotland. The name is derived from the Irish word "maolmhuaidh," which means "devotee of the bald or tonsured one," likely referring to a devout religious figure.

Malloy is believed to have emerged as a given name in the early medieval period, possibly as early as the 5th or 6th century CE. It was commonly found in Irish and Scottish communities, particularly among those with strong ties to the Christian faith and religious orders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Malloy can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a notable figure named Máel Muaidh mac Duibhdhá who lived in the 8th century CE.

Over the centuries, the name Malloy has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Malloy O'Donoghue, an Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Donoghue clan in the 16th century, who played a significant role in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule in Ireland.

Another prominent individual with the name Malloy was Sir Malachi Malloy (1572-1641), an Irish landowner and politician who served as a member of the Irish Parliament during the early 17th century.

In the 19th century, Malloy McGillan (1832-1903) was a notable Irish-American Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools and institutions in the United States, including St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Malloy was Francis Patrick Malloy (1888-1919), an American Catholic priest who served as a chaplain in the United States Army during World War I. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery and selflessness in caring for wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Lastly, Lester Malloy (1913-1994) was an American actor and dancer who appeared in numerous Broadway musicals and Hollywood films during the mid-20th century, including notable roles in "Oklahoma!" and "The Seven Year Itch."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Malloy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Malloy, please contact us.

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"Malloy first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/malloy-meaning-and-history/.

"Malloy first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/malloy-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 May, 2025

Malloy first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/malloy-meaning-and-history/.

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