Begley

The surname Begley is of Irish origin, emerging from the Gaelic Ó Beaglaigh, meaning "descendant of Beaglach." The name Beaglach is derived from the Irish word "beag," meaning small or little, and the diminutive suffix "-lach." The name likely originated as a nickname or descriptive name referring to a small or diminutive person.

The Begley surname is most commonly found in counties Limerick and Tipperary, Ireland, indicating its roots may lie in the region of Munster. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 16th century, with records of Begley families in the parish of Knockgrany, County Limerick.

One of the earliest known individuals with the Begley surname was John Begley, a landowner in County Tipperary, whose name appears in the Fiants of the Tudor sovereign, Elizabeth I, in the late 16th century. The Fiants were records of royal grants and pardons issued by the English Crown in Ireland during this period.

In the 17th century, the Begley surname is documented in the Petty's Census of Ireland, a survey of landowners conducted in 1659 by Sir William Petty. This census recorded several Begley families residing in County Limerick at the time.

Notable individuals with the Begley surname include:

1. John Begley (1826-1899), an Irish-born prelate who served as the Bishop of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

2. Rev. Walter Begley (1836-1908), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools in County Limerick.

3. Edward Begley (1923-2012), an American actor known for his roles in films like "12 Angry Men" and "Tora! Tora! Tora!"

4. Ed Begley Jr. (born 1949), an American actor and environmentalist, son of Edward Begley.

5. Aoife Begley (born 1986), an Irish singer-songwriter and musician.

While the Begley name has spread to various parts of the world due to Irish migration, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic language and the region of Munster in Ireland, where it first emerged as a descriptive surname.