Irish Surname - Curley
Origin of the Irish Surname Curley
The Irish surname Curley comes from the Gaelic "O'Cearbhaill," which means "descendant of Cearbhall." Cearbhall was a popular personal name in ancient Ireland and is thought to have meant "hacking with a weapon." The Curley family originated in the western county of Galway and spread to other parts of Ireland over time.
Today, the surname Curley can be found around the world, with a significant population in the United States and Canada.
According to the 1901 Irish census, Curley was the 35th most common surname in Ireland, with the highest numbers found in the counties of Galway, Roscommon, and Mayo.
Famous People with the Surname Curley
- James Michael Curley (1874–1958) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative, the Mayor of Boston, and the Governor of Massachusetts. Curley was known for his charismatic personality, populist politics, and his dedication to the working-class Irish-American community in Boston. Despite numerous legal controversies during his political career, Curley remained popular among his constituents. His rags-to-riches story and his political career inspired the main character in Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel, "The Last Hurrah".
- Tom Curley - An American journalist who served as the President and CEO of The Associated Press, one of the world's largest news organisations.
Variations of the Irish Surname Curley
- O'Curley - An alternate form of the surname that is sometimes used.
- Cearley - A variation of the surname that is sometimes used in the United States.
- Kirley - Another variation of the surname that is sometimes used in the United States and elsewhere.
Curley Coat of Arms
The Curley coat of arms features a red shield with a gold chevron between three silver lions. The crest consists of a gold eagle with wings spread.
Curley Motto
The Curley motto reads "Droit et Loyal," which means "Just and Loyal" in French.
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.
DNA And Your Irish Roots
- DNA and your Irish Heritage
- DNA, Discovery and Functions
- Types of DNA tests
- DNA testing companies
- Y-chromosome and Father's Ancestral Line
- Mitochondrial DNA and Mother's Ancestral Line
- DNA and Ethnicity
Interesting Irish Connections
