Molloy or O'Molloy is an Irish surname, anglicised from O Maolmhuaidh, maolmhuadh meaning 'proud chieftain'. They were part of the southern Ui Neill, the southern branch of the large tribal grouping claiming descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth-century king who supposedly kidnapped St Patrick to Ireland. They held power over a large part of what is now Co Offaly, where the surname is still very common. A second family were the O Maoil Aodha, 'descendant of the devoteee of (St) Aodh', from maol, literally 'bald', a reference to the distinctive tonsure sported by early Irish monks. As well as Molloy, this surname has also been anglicised as Malloy, Maloy, 'Miley' and 'Millea'. The name arose in east Connacht, in the Roscommon/east Galway region, and remains numerous there today.
People:
Albin O'Molloy died 1223, was one of the bishops who officiated at the coronation of King Richard the Lionheart in England in 1189.
Anthony James Pye Molloy, Royal Navy officer
Bill Molloy (born 1929), English footballer
Bobby Molloy, Irish politician
Francie Molloy, Irish politician
Georgiana Molloy, early settler and botanical collector in Western Australia
James Lynam Molloy (1837–1909), Irish composer and writer
John Molloy, early settler in Western Australia
Leonard Greenham Star Molloy, British Member of Parliament
Matt Molloy, Irish musician
Mike Molloy, Journalist, Writer, Artist
Mick Molloy, comedian and co-host of the Martin/Molloy radio program
Father Niall Molloy, a priest who died in mysterious circumstances in 1985
Sylvia Molloy, British artist
W. Thomas Molloy, Canadian lawyer and land claim negotiator
Irene Molloy, American actress, singer and songwriter of Irish descent
Charles Molloy (disambiguation)
