Molloy or O'Molloy is an Irish surname, anglicised from Ó Maolmhuaidh, maolmhuadh meaning 'Proud Chieftain'. (See also Malloy.) They were part of the southern

Uí Néill The Uí Néill (; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties that claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who is believed to have died around c. 405. They are generally divided ...

, the southern branch of the large tribal grouping claiming descent from

Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall Noígíallach (; Old Irish "having nine hostages"), or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. ...

, the fifth-century king who supposedly kidnapped

St Patrick Saint Patrick (; or ; ) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints being Brigid of Kildare and Columba ...

to Ireland. They held power over a large part of what is now

County Offaly County Offaly (; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is named after the Ancient Ireland, ancient Kingdom of Uí ...

, where the surname is still very common. A second family were the O Maoil Aodha, 'descendant of the devotee of (St) Aodh', from maol, literally 'bald', a reference to the distinctive tonsure sported by early Irish monks. As well as Molloy, this surname has also been anglicised as Mulloy, Malloy, Maloy, 'Miley' and 'Millea'. The name arose in east

Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...

, in the Roscommon/east

Galway Galway ( ; , ) is a City status in Ireland, city in (and the county town of) County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the List of settleme ...

region, and remains numerous there today. Notable people with the surname include: *

Aaron Molloy Aaron Molloy (born 11 January 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship. Youth and college Molloy played for the Bohemians academy for the 2014–15 season, as well as ...

(1997), Irish footballer *

Albin O'Molloy Albin O'Molloy () (died 1223) was the Irish bishop of Ferns. Background O'Molloy was native of what is now north County Tipperary. He became a Cistercian monk at Baltinglass, and eventually rose to be abbot of that house. His family, the O'Mollo ...

(died 1223), one of the bishops who officiated at the coronation of King Richard the Lionheart in England in 1189 * Annie E. Molloy (1871–1928), American suffragist, labor leader * Anthony Molloy (disambiguation), several people * Bill Molloy (1929–2020), English footballer *

Bobby Molloy Robert Molloy (9 July 1936 – 2 October 2016) was an Irish politician who served as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal and Minister of State to the Government from 1997 to 2002, Minister for Energy from 1989 to 1992, Minister fo ...

, Irish politician *

Charles Molloy (journalist) Charles Molloy (died 16 July 1767) was an Irish journalist and political activist on the Jacobite side, as well as a minor playwright. Life The 18th century '' Biographia dramatica'' says that Molloy attended Trinity College, Dublin before mov ...

(died 1767), Irish journalist, political activist and minor playwright * Charles Molloy (lawyer) (1640–1690), Irish lawyer known as a writer on maritime law *

Donald W. Molloy Donald William Molloy (born July 18, 1946) is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Early life and education Born into an Irish-American family in Butte, Montana, Molloy received a ...

, American judge *

Francie Molloy Francis Joseph Molloy (; born 16 December 1950) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who was the abstentionist Member of Parliament (MP) for Mid Ulster from 2013 to 2024. He was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Mid Ulster fr ...

, Irish politician * Garret Molloy (played 1990s), Irish rugby player *

Georgiana Molloy Georgiana Molloy (23 May 1805 – 8 April 1843) was an early settler in Western Australia, who is remembered as one of the first botany, botanical collectors in the colony. Her husband, John Molloy (Australian settler), John, was involved in ...

, early settler and botanical collector in Western Australia *

Gerald Molloy Gerald Molloy (born at Mount Tallant House, near Dublin, 10 September 1834; died at Aberdeen, 1 October 1906) was an Irish Catholic priest, theologian and scientist. Life He was educated at Castleknock College, and subsequently went to Maynoot ...

, Irish theologian and scientist *

Irene Molloy Irene Molloy is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She is best known for her roles on television series ''Andy Richter Controls the Universe'' and ''Grosse Pointe''. She has also appeared in Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals, televisio ...

, American actress, singer and songwriter of Irish descent *

Isobelle Molloy Isobelle Molloy (born 6 October 2000) is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of Amanda and later, Matilda Wormwood in the West End version of ''Matilda the Musical''. She had her film debut as Young Maleficent in the 2014 Disney f ...

(born 2000), English actress *

James Lynam Molloy James Lynam Molloy (19 August 1837 – 4 February 1909) was an Irish composer, poet, and author. His songs were praised by his contemporaries; one said that he "will be remembered, or certainly his songs will, long after the 'superior' and so-c ...

(1837–1909), Irish composer and writer * Joanna Molloy, American gossip columnist * John Molloy, early settler in Western Australia *

Leo Molloy Leo John Molloy (born 1956) is a New Zealand businessman and former veterinarian. He has been a controversial and polarising figure for his outspoken views, but has embraced his public perception, and has described himself as an "absolute cunt". ...

, New Zealand businessman *

Leonard Greenham Star Molloy Major Leonard Greenham Star Molloy (1861–1937) was an Irish medical doctor and politician. Molloy was born in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, the son of Richard Molloy of Rathgar, Dublin. He was educated at Trinity College Dublin where he obt ...

, British Member of Parliament *

Margaret Molloy Margaret Molloy is an Irish businesswoman. Based in New York City, she is the chief marketing officer and head of new development at Siegel+Gale, a strategy and design firm. Molloy is a member of Global Irish Network, an advisory group to the ...

, Irish businesswoman *

Matt Molloy Matt Molloy (born 12 January 1947) is an Irish musician, from a region known for producing talented flautists. As a child, he began playing the flute and won the All-Ireland Flute Championship at nineteen. Considered one of the most brilliant ...

, Irish musician *

Maureen Molloy Maureen Philomena Molloy (née Clifton; 25 August 1925 – 21 May 2011) was an Australian pioneer of clinical neuropsychology, cognitive rehabilitation therapy and forensic neuropsychology. Early life Maureen Molloy was born on in Ashfiel ...

, Canadian–New Zealand anthropologist *

Mick Molloy Michael Molloy (born 11 July 1966) is an Australian comedian, writer, producer, actor and television and radio presenter who has been active in radio, television, stand-up and film. He currently hosts '' The Front Bar'' on the Seven Network. ...

, Australian comedian, co-host of the Martin/Molloy radio program * Michael Joseph Molloy (M.J. Molloy), Irish playwright (1914-1994) *

Mike Molloy Michael Molloy (born 22 December 1940) is a British author and former newspaper editor and cartoonist. Biography Born in Perivale, Molloy studied at Ealing Junior School and the Ealing School of Art before working at the '' Sunday Pictorial' ...

, British journalist, newspaper editor, artist and author * Mitch Molloy (1965–2024), Canadian ice hockey player * Myra Molloy, Thai singer * Father Niall Molloy, a priest who died in mysterious circumstances in 1985 *

Ryan Molloy Ryan Molloy (born 21 November 1972) is a British actor, singer and songwriter. He has been successful in stage and musical theatre at West End and Broadway, appearing in a number of hit musicals, like ''Taboo'', '' Jerry Springer: The Opera'' ...

, British actor, singer and songwriter * Seaneen Molloy, Northern Irish blogger and writer * Sylvia Molloy, Argentine academic and writer * Sylvia Clark Molloy, British artist *

Terry Molloy Terry Molloy (born 4 January 1947) is an English actor. He is best known for his work on radio and television, especially his portrayal of Mike Tucker (The Archers), Mike Tucker in ''The Archers'' and Davros in three ''Doctor Who'' serials in ...

(born 1947), British actor * Thomas Molloy, Australian politician * Thomas B. Molloy, Canadian politician *

Thomas Edmund Molloy Thomas Edmund Molloy (September 4, 1885 – November 26, 1956) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Brooklyn from 1921 until his death in 1956. Biography He was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, the fourth of t ...

, American Bishop of Brooklyn 1921–1956 * W. Thomas Molloy, Canadian lawyer and land claim negotiator * William Molloy (disambiguation), several people