The name is derived from the Irish Ó hÁilgheasa, a patronym meaning "descendant of Áilgheas". The latter personal name is derived from the Irish áilgheas, meaning "eagerness". The modern Irish form of the name is Ó hÁileasa.
Cognates
Other English-language surnames cognate to Hallissey include Hallessy, Hallisey, Hallisy, Hallissy, Hallisay, O Hallishy, and O Hallyse.
Distribution
The surname Hallissey is traditionally found in County Cork and County Kerry, particularly in west Cork and south Kerry.
Hallisey
Laura Hallisey, a United States Curling champion.
Hallissey
Claire Hallissey, a British Olympic marathon runner.
Hallissey
Eric Hallissey, an Irish-German writer of erotic fiction.