LAVELL Family History

This is an anglicization of the Gaelic name O Maolfabhail. The Gaelic prefix 'O' means 'male descendant (of)' plus the personal name Maolfabhal - a compound of the elements 'maol' meaning 'bald' or 'tonsured' in this case indicating a devotee of St. Fabhal. (The Gaelic word 'faball' translates as 'movement' or 'travel'). The families of O Maolfabhail, now know as Lavelle, belonged to Donaghpatrick in Co. Galway. Prior to 1850, the anglicized form of the name in Galway was O' Mullawill. Today, the majority of name bearers reside in Connacht, particularly in Co.