The Foley Family History

What Does the Foley Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Foley is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic word ‘foghladha,’ which translates to plunderer, robber, or pirate. Variations of the surname include Foolie, Foli, Sharry, Foaley, MacSharry, Mcharey, Foalie, and Fowlie. The roots of the Foley name can be traced back to Waterford, located in the Munster region of Ireland, and it subsequently spread into the counties of Cork and Kerry. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous Foley families emigrated from Ireland to various countries including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, where the surname remains prevalent today. In England, the distribution of the Foley name is widespread across much of England and Wales, with the highest concentrations found in Glamorgan, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, and London. In Scotland, Foley families are primarily situated in the counties of Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Fife, Angus, and Dumfries-shire. In the United States, the Foley surname first appeared in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, and California. Noteworthy individuals with the surname include Clyde “Red” Foley, a renowned singer; Charles “Curry” Foley, a professional baseball player originally from Ireland; Ellen Foley, an accomplished actress and singer; Scott Foley, an actor; Margaret Foley, an artist; Rick Foley, a Canadian ice hockey player; Steve Foley, a professional football player; Louise Foley, a writer; and Jack Foley, a distinguished poet.