Mac Giolla Riabhaigh

Rev Patrick Woulfe

Irish Names and Surnames

1923

Mac GIOLLA RIABHAIGH—IV—M'Gillereogh, M'Calreogh, M'Calreaghe, M'Callerie, MacGillreavy, MacGilrea, MacElreavy, MacIlravy, MacElreath, MacElwreath, MacIlwraith, MacIlrea, MacAreavy, MacArevy, Gallery, Callery, Killery, Kilgray, Gray; 'son of Giolla riabhach' (the grey youth, from riabhach, grey, brindled); the name (1) of a family of the Ui Fiachrach, seated at Creaghaun, in the parish of Skreen, Co. Sligo; and (2) of a Clare family who were servants of trust to the Earls of Thomond, and held the castle of Craigbrien, in the parish of Clondagad. The family is still in Thomond, but the surname is now always anglicised Gallery. In the midlands, it was sometimes made Callery, and sometimes translated Gray. Kilgray is a half translation, Mac Giolla riabhaigh is also a Scottish surname. According to Dr. MacBain, it is anglicised MacIlwraith, &c.

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