Ó Gormghail

Rev Patrick Woulfe

1923

Ó GORMGHAIL, Ó GORMGHAILE—I—O Gormowle, O Gormoill, O Gormaly, O Gormooly, Gormaly, Gormilly, Gormley, (Gorman, Grimes); 'descendant of Gormghal' (blue-valour); the name (1) of a Mayo family who were anciently lords of the barony of Carra; and (2) of a Roscommon family who were formerly erenaghs of Elphin. It is still common in Connacht, and has spread into Leinster, but is often disguised under the anglicised forms of Gorman and Grimes. Ó Gormshúil and Ó Gormshúiligh represent the local pronunciation in Connacht, and the name is so written in the Annals of Loch Cé.

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