Find out how popular the first name Quigley has been for the last 8 years (from 2016 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Quigley by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Quigley is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Quigley.

The history of the first name Quigley

The name Quigley is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Coigligh, which means "descendant of Coigleach." The prefix "Ó" signifies "descendant of," and "Coigleach" is derived from the Old Irish word "coiglech," meaning "separatist" or "recluse."

The name originated in Ireland, specifically in the province of Connacht, where the Ó Coigligh clan was based. It is believed to have emerged in the early medieval period, around the 8th or 9th century, when Irish surnames first began to develop.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Quigley can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention a member of the Ó Coigligh clan named Tadhg Ó Coigligh, who lived in the 14th century.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Quigley was Sir Edward Quigley (1529-1590), an Irish soldier and landowner who served as Sheriff of County Laois in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was granted lands in County Laois for his service.

Another prominent figure was Quigley Baccagh (1610-1686), an Irish rebel and outlaw who fought against English rule during the Confederate Wars of the 1640s. He was known for his daring exploits and his ability to evade capture, earning him the nickname "Baccagh," which means "lame" in Irish.

In the 18th century, Thomas Quigley (1718-1789) was a noted Irish playwright and poet. He wrote several plays that were performed in Dublin and London, including "The Prussian Campaign" and "The Humours of Balamore."

Moving to the 19th century, Michael Quigley (1834-1909) was an Irish-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Quigley Company, a successful manufacturing company based in Chicago. He donated generously to various educational and charitable causes.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Quigley was Carroll Quigley (1910-1977), an American historian and theorist who wrote extensively on the role of secret societies in shaping world events. His book "Tragedy and Hope" became a influential work among conspiracy theorists.

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 Quigley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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