323 Global GILHOOLEY Family Members

GILHOOLEY Family History

Recorded in many spellings forms including McGillooly, Gilhooley, Gilhooly, Gilhouley, Gilluley, and in some parts of the country Gilhool, this is a famous Irish surname. It originates from the pre 10th century Gaelic surname 'Mac giolla Ghuala', which translates literally as 'The son of the follower of the Shoulder'. The sept are a branch of the Clan O'Mulvey, and this may account for the unusual meaning. The majority of Irish Gaelic surnames were originaly nicknames for the first chief of the family.