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Irish Surnames - Crilley and Farley

Origin of the Irish surname Crilley

The Irish surname Crilley is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Mac Fhearghaile, which means "son of Fearghal." The name originated in County Mayo in the western part of Ireland, and it is primarily found in this region.

Today, individuals with the surname Crilley can be found throughout Ireland as well as in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Other variations of the Crilley surname include Farley, Fawley, Feely, and Ferrell. Visit

Famous People

Sean Ferrell: An American author who has published several novels, including "Numb" and "The Man in the Empty Boat." Ferrell was born in Texas in 1973 and is of Irish descent.
Mark Crilley - An American artist, author, and illustrator best known for his manga-style graphic novels, including the series "Miki Falls" and "Brody's Ghost." He also has a popular YouTube channel where he shares drawing tutorials and art advice.
Mary Farley: Mary Farley is an Irish writer and poet. Her work has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. She is known for her vivid imagery and evocative language.
Chris Farley: An Irish-American actor and comedian known for his physical humor and larger-than-life personality. He rose to fame as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" and went on to star in popular films such as "Wayne's World" and "Tommy Boy." Farley tragically passed away at the age of 33 in 1997. His legacy lives on through his iconic performances and his influence on the world of comedy.
Kevin Farley: Kevin Farley is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is the younger brother of Chris Farley and has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including 2gether, The Waterboy, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Father Ted Crilly as a fictional character in the well known and much loved Irish TV series, "Father Ted".

Variations of the Irish Surname Crilley

The surnames Crilley and Feely are both anglicised versions of the same Irish Gaelic name, "Mac Fhearghaile." In the Irish language, "Mac" means "son of," and "Fhearghaile" is a given name that means "man of valor." Over time, this name was anglicised in various ways, resulting in surnames such as Crilley and Feely.

Both surnames are primarily found in County Mayo in the west of Ireland, suggesting a shared geographic origin. In addition, individuals with the surnames Crilley and Feely may share common ancestors, as the names are both derived from the same Gaelic patronymic. According to the 1911 Irish census, there were 312 individuals with the surname Crilley living in Ireland at that time and the surname is still primarily found in Mayo, but it can also be found in other parts of Ireland as well as in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Furthermore, in Irish genealogical records, it is not uncommon for a single family to have multiple anglicised versions of their name, particularly if they lived in an area where English was more commonly spoken. This further supports the idea that Crilley and Feely may be related, as they are both variants of the same original Gaelic name.

Overall, while it is difficult to provide conclusive evidence of a direct connection between the surnames Crilley, Feely and Farley, the similarities in their origins, geographic distribution, and linguistic roots suggest that they are related in some way.

Farley: This variation of the surname is the most common and is primarily found in the United States. Famous individuals with this spelling include American politician Michael Farley and Irish-American actor Chris Farley.
Fawley: This variation of the surname is less common and is primarily found in England. Notable individuals with this spelling include English footballer Paul Fawley.
Feely: This variation of the surname is primarily found in Ireland. Famous individuals with this spelling include Irish footballer Patrick Feely.
Ferrell: This variation of the surname is primarily found in the United States. Famous individuals with this spelling include American author Sean Ferrell and American actor Will Ferrell.

The Coat of Arms and Motto of the Irish Surname Crilley:

There is no official coat of arms or motto associated with the Crilley surname. However, individuals with this name may choose to create their own personal coat of arms and motto based on their family history and traditions.

Please Note

There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.