McNally (surname)

McNally is an Irish surname.

In Ulster it originated in County Tyrone as the anglicized form of 'son of Cú Allaidh', a Gaelic name of the Cenél nEógain meaning the 'wild hound', i.e. 'wolf'. Prevalent in Ulster counties Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan, Mac Con Allaidh is a branch of the “Northern Ó Néill” group of Ulster clans. They are separate from the Mayo name (see below).

In Connacht the surname (typically spelt as Nally) originated in County Mayo as angliczed from (modern Irish: Mac an Fhailí). Of Norman origin, the name was a Gaelicized form of Le Poer meaning "poor man" – this actually refers to a deliberate, religious vow of poverty, rather than ordinary pauperism.

Notable McNallys

• Andrew McNally (1836–1904), American co-founder of Rand-McNally
• Art McNally (1926–2022), American sports executive
• Caty McNally (born 2001), American tennis player
• Charles McNally (1787–1864), Irish bishop of Clogher
• Conor McNally (born 1985), Canadian filmmaker
• Dave McNally (1942–2002), American baseball player
• Grant McNally (born 1962), Canadian politician
• Joanne McNally (born 1983), Irish comedian and actress
• James McNally (1836–1921), Irish Fenian
• John McNally (born 1951), Scottish politician
• John McNally (1932–2022), Irish boxer
• Johnny 'Blood' McNally (1903-1985), American football player and coach
• Keith McNally (born 1951), British restaurateur
• Kevin McNally (born 1956), English actor
• Lauren McNally, American politician
• Leonard McNally (1752–1820), Irish barrister, poet, founding member of the United Irishmen, and spy
• Luke McNally (born 1999), Irish footballer
• Mark McNally (born 1971), Scottish footballer, Celtic FC
• Mark McNally (born 1981), Australian racing driver
• Paddy McNally (born 1937), British businessman
• Randy McNally (born 1944), Tennessee politician
• Shane McNally (1954–2023), Australian rugby player
• Shannon McNally (born 1973), American singer-songwriter
• Stephen McNally (1911–1994), American actor
• Terrence McNally (1938–2020), American playwright
• Tom McNally, Baron McNally (born 1943), British politician
• William McNally VC (1894–1976), British soldier and Victoria Cross recipient

See also

• McNally (disambiguation)
• McAnally
• McNalty
• Nally

References