Molloy or O'Molloy is an Irish surname, anglicised from Ó Maolmhuaidh, maolmhuadh meaning 'Proud Chieftain'. (See also

Malloy Malloy is a surname of Irish origin, meaning "noble chief" (irish). (See also Molloy.) The name may refer to: *Dannel Malloy (born 1955), American politician, 88th Governor of Connecticut *Danny Malloy (footballer) (born 1930), former Scottish foo ...

.) They were part of the southern Uí Néill, the southern branch of the large tribal grouping claiming descent from

Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall ''Noígíallach'' (; Old Irish "having nine hostages"), or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. ...

, the fifth-century king who supposedly kidnapped

St Patrick Saint Patrick ( la, Patricius; ga, Pádraig ; cy, Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints be ...

to Ireland. They held power over a large part of what is now

County Offaly County Offaly (; ga, Contae Uíbh Fhailí) is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe. It was formerly known as King's County, in hono ...

, where the surname is still very common. A second family were the O Maoil Aodha, 'descendant of the devotee of (St) Aodh', from maol, literally 'bald', a reference to the distinctive tonsure sported by early

Irish monks The Hiberno-Scottish mission was a series of expeditions in the 6th and 7th centuries by Gaelic missionaries originating from Ireland that spread Celtic Christianity in Scotland, Wales, England and Merovingian France. Celtic Christianity sprea ...

. As well as Molloy, this surname has also been anglicised as Mulloy, Malloy, Maloy, 'Miley' and 'Millea'. The name arose in east Connacht, in the Roscommon/east Galway region, and remains numerous there today. Notable people with the surname include: *

Aaron Molloy Aaron Molloy (born 11 January 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship. Youth and college Molloy played for the Bohemians academy for the 2014–15 season, as well a ...

(1997), Irish footballer *

Albin O'Molloy Albin O'Molloy ( ga, Ailbe Ua Maíl Mhuaidh) (died 1223) was the Irish bishop of Ferns. Background O'Molloy was native of what is now north County Tipperary. He became a Cistercian monk at Baltinglass, and eventually rose to be abbot of that hous ...

(died 1223), one of the bishops who officiated at the coronation of King Richard the Lionheart in England in 1189 *

Annie E. Molloy Annie Elizabeth Molloy (November 18, 1871 – March 17, 1928) was an American suffragist and labor leader. She was president of the Boston Telephone Operators Union in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1915 she was a delegate to the International Congress ...

(1871–1928), American suffragist, labor leader *

Anthony Molloy (disambiguation) Anthony Molloy may refer to: * Anthony Molloy (Gaelic footballer) (born 1962), former Donegal captain * Anthony Molloy (lawyer) (born 1944), New Zealand author and lawyer * Anthony James Pye Molloy Anthony James Pye Molloy ( – 25 July 1 ...

, several people * Bill Molloy (1929–2020), English footballer * Bobby Molloy, Irish politician *

Charles Molloy (journalist) Charles Molloy (died 16 July 1767) was an Irish journalist and political activist on the Jacobite side, as well as a minor playwright. Life The 18th century '' Biographia dramatica'' says that Molloy attended Trinity College, Dublin before movin ...

(died 1767), Irish journalist, political activist and minor playwright * Charles Molloy (lawyer) (1640–1690), Irish lawyer known as a writer on maritime law *

Donald W. Molloy Donald W. Molloy (born July 18, 1946) is a Senior Status, Senior United States federal judge, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Early life and education Born into an Irish-American famil ...

, American judge *

Francie Molloy Francie Molloy ( ga, Proinsias Ó Maolmhuaidh; born 16 December 1950) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been the abstentionist Member of Parliament (MP) for Mid Ulster since 2013. He was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) ...

, Irish politician *

Garret Molloy Garret Molloy (birth unknown) is an Irish former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s. He played at representative level for Ireland, and at club level for Dublin Blues. International honours Garret Molloy won a cap for ...

(played 1990s), Irish rugby player *

Georgiana Molloy Georgiana Molloy (23 May 1805 – 8 April 1843) was an early settler in Western Australia, who is remembered as one of the first botanical collectors in the colony. Her husband, John, was involved in the Wonnerup massacre, and she has been the ...

, early settler and botanical collector in Western Australia * Gerald Molloy, Irish theologian and scientist * Irene Molloy, American actress, singer and songwriter of Irish descent *

Isobelle Molloy Isobelle Molloy (born 6 October 2000) is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of Amanda and later, Matilda Wormwood in the West End version of ''Matilda the Musical''. She had her film debut as Young Maleficent in the 2014 Disney f ...

(born 2000), English actress *

James Lynam Molloy James Lynam Molloy (19 August 1837 – 4 February 1909) was an Irish composer, poet, and author. His songs were praised by his contemporaries; one said that he "will be remembered, or certainly his songs will, long after the 'superior' and so-c ...

(1837–1909), Irish composer and writer * Joanna Molloy, American gossip columnist * John Molloy, early settler in Western Australia *

Leo Molloy Leo John Molloy (born 1956) is a New Zealand businessman and former veterinarian. He has been a controversial and polarising figure for his outspoken views. Early life Molloy was born in the West Coast town of Moana, New Zealand, Moana. He is of ...

, New Zealand businessman * Leonard Greenham Star Molloy, British Member of Parliament *

Margaret Molloy Margaret Molloy is an Irish businesswoman. Based in New York City, she is the chief marketing officer and head of new development at Siegel+Gale, a strategy and design firm. Molloy is a member of Global Irish Network, an advisory group to the ...

, Irish businesswoman * Matt Molloy, Irish musician * Mick Molloy, Australian comedian, co-host of the Martin/Molloy radio program * Michael Joseph Molloy (M.J. Molloy), Irish playwright (1914-1994) * Mike Molloy, British journalist, newspaper editor, artist and author * Mitch Molloy (1965–2024), Canadian ice hockey player *

Myra Molloy Maneepat Myra Molloy ( th, มณีภัสสร มอลลอย; ; born 18 September 1997), nicknamed Myra (ไมร่า), is a Thai people, Thai-American singer, songwriter and actress. In 2011 at age 13, Molloy won the premier season ...

, Thai singer * Father Niall Molloy, a priest who died in mysterious circumstances in 1985 * Ryan Molloy, British actor, singer and songwriter *

Seaneen Molloy Seaneen Molloy is a Northern Irish blogger and activist based in Belfast. Background Molloy grew up in the Twinbrook and Poleglass areas of West Belfast. Molloy is a columnist for BBC Ouch!, the BBC disability website. She is also a regular con ...

, Northern Irish blogger and writer * Sylvia Molloy, Argentine academic and writer * Sylvia Clark Molloy, British artist * Terry Molloy (born 1947), British actor *

Thomas Molloy Thomas George Anstruther Molloy (4 October 1852 – 16 February 1938) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the electorate of Electoral district of Perth, Perth from 1892 until 1894, ...

, Australian politician * Thomas B. Molloy, Canadian politician * Thomas Edmund Molloy, American Bishop of Brooklyn 1921–1956 *

W. Thomas Molloy William Thomas Molloy (July 27, 1940 – July 2, 2019) was a Canadian lawyer, treaty negotiator, and Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan. He was the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the viceregal representative of Queen Eli ...

, Canadian lawyer and land claim negotiator *

William Molloy (disambiguation) William Molloy may refer to: * William Molloy, Baron Molloy (1918–2001), British Labour Party politician * William Molloy (Manitoba politician) (1877–1917), Canadian Liberal Party politician * William Molloy (Irish politician), member of the Ir ...

, several people