Gormley
Gormley is a surname of Irish origin. The main sept of the clan originated in the north western county of Donegal and the modern barony of Raphoe, in that county, was formerly known by their tribal name of Cinel Moen. The common ancestor and progenitor of these Gormleys was Moen son of Muireadach, son of Eoghan (who gave his name to Tyrone), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Different Septs and spellings
In the "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 Ce" 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 in means “blue spearman”.
In the Partry Mountains of county Mayo 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 Partry 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 Co. 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 of 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 Derry, but also in Roscommon and Westmeath. Gormleys today are chiefly found in Co. Tyrone and surrounding areas.
People
- Antony Gormley (born 1950), British-born German-Irish 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, Northern Ireland
- 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 (1917–1993), British Trade Unionist
- 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 (academic), constitutional law professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Ken Gormley (musician), 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
- Niall Gormley, Gaelic footballer in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
- Paddy Gormley (1916–2001), Irish nationalist politician
- Peter Gormley (died 1998), Australian music manager
- 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 (politician) (1916–1984), politician in Northern Ireland
- Tom Gormley (American football), 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
- James D. Gormley (born 1965), solider who fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan, portrait exhibited in 100 faces of War
