Maolmhuaidh is an Irish surname, generally anglicised as Molloy or Mulloy. Like other Irish surnames, Maolmhuaidh is patronymic. The male version is àMaolmhuaidh with the name in the genitive or possessive case preceded by ("ó" or âÂÂuaâ meaning "grandson or descendant"); the female versions is NàMhaolmhuaidh ("nÃÂ" a contraction of âÂÂinÃÂonâ meaning "daughterâÂÂ, there is no equivalent of Mrs as women in gaelic society retained their maiden names after marriage); the family or house name is UàMhaolmhuaidh âÂÂuÃÂâ being the plural of âÂÂuaâ or âÂÂóâÂÂ.
The UàMaolmhuaidh of Fir Cell (men of the churches, in what is now County Offaly) claimed descent from the southern UàNéill. The 16th-century mercenary, Captain Greene O'Mulloy, was of this family.
The UÃÂ Maoil Aodha ("descendant of the devotee of (St.) Aodh") family lived in east Connacht and is now found as both Mullee and Molloy.
The UàMaolmhaodhóg ("descendant of the devotee of (St.) Maodhóg") surname is now usually rendered as Mulvogue or Logue, but sometimes Molloy, particularly around the Glenties area of County Donegal.
The 1890 registration of births found bearers of the surname concentrated in counties Donegal, Dublin, Galway, and Mayo.