Gormley
Gormley is a surname of Irish origin. The main sept of the clan originated in what was Tír Chonaill, now mainly County Donegal, in the west of Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. The Ulster branch of the clan seem to have originated in what is now the Barony of Raphoe in East Donegal, an area known in Gaelic times as Tír Moen, a territory that was ruled by the Cinel Moen. The common ancestor and progenitor of these Gormleys was Moen son of Muireadach, son of Eoghan (who gave his name to Tír Eoghain), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Different septs and spellings
In the Annals of the Four Masters and in the Topographical Poems of O'Dugan and O'Heerin, the name is spelt Ó Goirmleadhaigh; the Annals of Loch Cé write it Ó Gormshuil and Ó Gormshuiligh: the editor (William Hennessy) writing in 1871 states that the latter was then anglicised O'Gormooly, but Gormley is universal today. The name means “blue spearman”.
In the Partry Mountains of County Mayo in the West of Ireland is found a sept also called Gormley, Gormaly and Gormilly. The Irish form of this family's name is Ó Goirmghialla or possibly Ó Gormghaille, both Irish forms meaning “blue hostage”. They were chiefs of this area along with the Darcy or Dorcey family. The present parish of Ballyovey, also called the parish of Party, shows the location of this ancient territory in Mayo. In the area of Lough Key, County Roscommon, we find families of the name (O') Gormaly or Gormally. O'Donovan says that these are quite distinct from the O'Gormleys of County Tyrone and that the Irish form of this name is Ó Garmghaile. It is likely that this family is of the same stock as the Mayo sept, but it is unclear if both are related to the main sept of Ulster. In seventeenth century records they are found both as O'Gormley and Mac Gormley, located chiefly in Counties Armagh and Londonderry, but also in County Roscommon and County Westmeath. Gormleys today are chiefly found in County Tyrone and surrounding areas.
People
- Alexandra G. Gormley, American lawyer
- Andrew Gormley, drummer for the band Rorschach
- Sir Antony Gormley (born 1950), British sculptor
- Beatrice Gormley, American children's writer
- Bob Gormley (born 1918), former U.S. soccer forward
- Charles Gormley (1937–2005), Scottish film director
- Conor Gormley (born 1980), Gaelic footballer from Carrickmore in County Tyrone
- Eddie Gormley (born 1968), former Irish football player
- Enda Gormley (born 1966), Irish Gaelic footballer
- Francis Gormley, Irish politician
- Jody Gormley, former Gaelic footballer for Tyrone, and London
- Joe Gormley (disambiguation) - various people
- John Gormley (born 1959), Irish Green party politician
- John Kenneth Gormley (born 1957), Canadian broadcaster and former politician
- Joseph L. Gormley (1914–2004), chief of chemistry and toxicology for the FBI
- Ken Gormley, constitutional law professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Ken Gormley, bass player from Australian band The Cruel Sea
- Kiera Gormley, Irish model
- Mark Gormley, a singer-songwriter from Pensacola, Florida who achieved internet fame for his music videos on YouTube
- Mary Gormley, Irish beauty contestant
- Mike Gormley, VP and Asst. to the Chairman of A&M Records, President of LA Personal Development
- Niall Gormley, Gaelic footballer in County Tyrone
- Paddy Gormley (1916–2001), Irish nationalist politician
- Peter Gormley (died 1998), Australian music manager
- Phil Gormley (born 1963), a former Chief Constable of Police Scotland
- Rowan Gormley (born 1962), South African-born entrepreneur
- Tad Gormley (1884–1965), former head of the New Orleans Gymnastics Club and Amateur Athletic Union
- Tom Gormley (1916–1984), politician in County Tyrone. He served in both the House of Commons of Northern Ireland and on Strabane District Council
- Tom Gormley, former professional football player
- Tony Gormley (1962–1987), member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA)
- William T. Gormley, professor of Government at Georgetown University
