Foley surname: meaning and origin
Foley means descendant of Foghladh, meaning pirate or plunderer. It is a native Gaelic Irish family from Waterford and Cork.
| Irish form | Ó Foghladha |
|---|---|
| Meaning | descendant of Foghladh, meaning pirate or plunderer |
| Home region | Waterford and Cork (Munster) |
| Origin | Gaelic |
| Variants | O'Foley |
History of the Foley name
The Foleys are a Waterford family. The name's unflattering meaning is one of many old Irish nicknames that became surnames.
More surnames from Munster
- Barryde Barra · from Barry
- O'BrienÓ Briain · descendant of Brian
- CahillÓ Cathail · descendant of Cathal
- O'CallaghanÓ Ceallacháin · descendant of Ceallachán
- McCarthyMac Cárthaigh · son of Cárthach
- CaseyÓ Cathasaigh · descendant of Cathasach
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Foley mean?
Foley (Irish: Ó Foghladha) means descendant of Foghladh, meaning pirate or plunderer.
What is the Irish spelling of Foley?
The Irish-language form of Foley is Ó Foghladha.
Where is the surname Foley from?
Foley is a native Gaelic Irish family, associated with Waterford and Cork in Munster.
What are other spellings of Foley?
Related spellings and forms include O'Foley.