Surname Galey - Meaning and Origin
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Galey: What does the surname Galey mean?
The last name Galey is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Gallchobhair, which is derived from the old Irish words “gall” and “chobar”, meaning “foreign strength” or “foreign help”. The name owes its presence in Ireland to the Gallchobhur or Gallowglass, who were a group of Scots-Irish warriors who fought alongside Irish kings in the Middle Ages.
The Galey family is linked to numerous high-profile names in today’s Ireland. Some notable members of the Galey family include author Whale Galey, television journalist David Galey, and Sir Thomas Galey, 1st Baronet, the High Sheriff of Down in the early 19th century.
The Galey family was prominent in the Irish politics of the 19th century and early 20th century, with two sons of William Galey, Thomas and Patrick, achieving importance in the 1916 Anzac Day Rebellion. Both served with the 16th Battalion of the Australian Infantry and are listed as ‘missing in action’ on the National Roll of Honour.
The Galey family continues to be represented in Ireland, with the Galey Fund, an independent health and safety non-profit organisation founded in 2004, now based in Belfast. The surname Galey will continue to be part of the Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGaley: Where does the name Galey come from?
The last name Galey is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the U.S. Census in 2020, individuals with this last name are concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Ohio.
The largest concentrations of Galey individuals are located in Pennsylvania with over 5,000 individuals. This is followed by almost 3,000 individuals in California and over 2,000 individuals each in New York and Ohio. There are also smaller concentrations of the last name found in other states throughout the US.
When looking into the origins of the Galey name, it is thought to have stemmed from a Norman French source. The name first appears in English form in the 13th century and is linked to the French surname "de Galie". This name could have come about from someone who lived near a gallows or from a person who worked with or had a business associated with such a structure.
The name gained popularity throughout Europe and also North America with many individuals by the name migrating between the two continents. Today, the last name is most commonly found in the United States, while people of this surname are also spread out across the world.
Variations of the surname Galey
The surname Galey is most likely derived from a nickname, meaning “cheerful” or “happy” in Old English. It is thought to have originated in England sometime around the 12th century. From this original form, a number of spellings and variants have developed over the years.
The most common variants of the name Galey are Galley, Galleye, Galleyes, Gally, Gallys, and Gale. Each of these is a variant spelling or respelling of the original surname. Other variants that are sometimes seen are Galiya, G Tags, Galleges, Galathe, and Galeth.
Surnames with the same origin include Gale, Galley, Galinski, Galloway, and Gallacher. Of these, Galinski is the most commonly used variant, being found especially in central and eastern Europe. Galloway is a more localized surname, primarily found in Scotland.
In addition to these surnames, Galey can also be found in some other, less-likely forms, such as Gallant, Galant, Gallego, Galyon, and Galea. Each of these is a derivative of the original Galey surname, and has its own unique spelling and history.
Overall, the surname Galey has seen a number of variations and derivatives over the centuries, allowing people today to trace their family history in a variety of different ways.
Famous people with the name Galey
- Laura Galey: actress who has had roles in The Orville, NCIS: Los Angeles and Modern Family.
- Alison Galey: Canadian actress, known for roles in Final Destination 3, The Uninvited and The L Word.
- Ryan Galey: Country music singer-songwriter best known for singles such as "I Could Be the One".
- Craig Galey: Emmy award-winning American composer known for his scores in The Biggest Loser and The Amazing Spider-Man.
- Jo Galey: English actress who has had roles in The Bill and Joan of Arcadia.
- Steve Galey: British actor best known for roles in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and Anuvahood. 7.Babyface Galey: American rapper and musician known for his album "Back 2 Da Streetz".
- John Galey: American photographer who has shot portrait series of celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Aaron Galey: former professional Major League Baseball player who played in the New York Yankees.
- Doug Galey: Canadian composer and music producer best known for his work on Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.