Find out how popular the last name McFolley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named McFolley.

McFolley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the McFolley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McFolley in America

McFolley is the 104602nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McFolley surname appeared 171 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname McFolley.

We can also compare 2010 data for McFolley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name McFolley

The surname MCFOLLEY is of Irish origin, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in County Donegal, a region in the northwestern part of Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son of" and "Folley," which may have been an anglicized version of the Irish personal name "Follamhain."

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the MCFOLLEY name can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, a collection of historical documents from the 16th and 17th centuries. In these records, the name appears as "McFollye" and "McFolye," indicating variations in spelling during that time period.

The MCFOLLEY surname has also been linked to several place names in Ireland, such as Ballyfolloy and Moneyfolloy, both located in County Donegal. These place names likely share a common linguistic origin with the surname, suggesting that the MCFOLLEY family may have held lands or influence in those areas.

Among the notable figures who bore the MCFOLLEY surname throughout history are:

1. Fergus MCFOLLEY (1650-1718), an Irish landowner and politician from County Donegal, who served as a member of the Irish Parliament in the late 17th century.

2. Bridget MCFOLLEY (1772-1842), a renowned Irish embroiderer and needlework artist, whose intricate designs adorned the robes of several Catholic bishops and clergy members.

3. Patrick MCFOLLEY (1810-1892), an Irish-American soldier who fought in the American Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Gettysburg.

4. Mary MCFOLLEY (1865-1949), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, who established one of the first all-girls secondary schools in Dublin, Ireland.

5. Seamus MCFOLLEY (1920-2003), an acclaimed Irish poet and writer, known for his works exploring themes of identity, nationalism, and the complexities of Irish history.

Throughout its long history, the MCFOLLEY surname has maintained a strong presence in Ireland, particularly in County Donegal, where many branches of the family continue to reside today. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its roots remain firmly embedded in the rich cultural tapestry of the Emerald Isle.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McFolley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname McFolley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for McFolley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of McFolley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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