Mealey Surname
Introduction
The surname Mealey is a relatively uncommon surname with a rich history and varied origins. This surname can be found in several countries around the world, with varying levels of incidence in each country. In this article, we will explore the origins of the surname Mealey, its distribution across different countries, and delve into the possible meanings and significance of this unique surname.
Origins of the Surname Mealey
The surname Mealey is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Maoilchiaráin, meaning 'descendant of Maoilchiaráin'. The prefix Ó indicates 'son of' or 'descendant of', while Maoilchiaráin is a personal name of unknown meaning. This surname is common in County Meath and County Westmeath in Ireland.
Another possible origin of the surname Mealey is from the Old Norse personal name Melr, meaning 'mill', and the Old English word leah, meaning 'wood' or 'clearing'. This suggests that the surname Mealey could have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near a mill in a wooded area.
Distribution of the Surname Mealey
The surname Mealey has a relatively low incidence in most countries around the world. The highest incidence of the Mealey surname is in the United States, with a total of 2,307 individuals carrying this surname. This is likely due to the large Irish diaspora in the US, as the surname Mealey has Irish origins.
United States (US)
In the United States, the surname Mealey is most commonly found in states with large Irish immigrant populations, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The Mealey surname can also be found in other states across the country, but in lower numbers.
United Kingdom (GB)
In the United Kingdom, the Mealey surname has varying levels of incidence in different regions. In England (GB-ENG), there are 312 individuals with the surname Mealey. In Northern Ireland (GB-NIR), there are 29 individuals with this surname. In Scotland (GB-SCT), there are 16 individuals with the Mealey surname. In Wales (GB-WLS), there are 4 individuals with this surname.
Ireland (IE)
In Ireland, the Mealey surname is relatively rare, with only 16 individuals carrying this surname. This is surprising given the Irish origins of the surname, but it may be due to the small population size of Ireland compared to other countries.
Canada (CA)
In Canada, there are 160 individuals with the Mealey surname. The Mealey surname is most common in provinces with significant Irish populations, such as Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Australia (AU)
In Australia, there are 114 individuals with the Mealey surname. The Mealey surname can be found in various states across the country, but in lower numbers compared to other countries with larger Irish populations.
Other Countries
The Mealey surname has a small presence in other countries around the world, such as Argentina (AR), Germany (DE), Japan (JP), Chile (CL), Spain (ES), Fiji (FJ), Jamaica (JM), Cambodia (KH), and South Korea (KR). The incidence of the Mealey surname in these countries ranges from 1 to 8 individuals.
Meanings and Significance of the Surname Mealey
The surname Mealey has several possible meanings and significance, depending on its origin. If derived from the Gaelic name Ó Maoilchiaráin, it could signify a descendant of someone named Maoilchiaráin, whose name may have had a specific meaning or significance in Irish culture.
If the surname Mealey is of locational origin, it could indicate that the original bearers of the surname lived near a mill in a wooded area. This could suggest that the Mealey family was involved in milling or forestry activities, or that they were simply inhabitants of a rural, wooded area.
Overall, the surname Mealey is a unique and interesting surname with Irish and possibly Norse and English origins. Its distribution across different countries reveals the global reach of Irish immigrants and the impact of historical migration patterns on surname distribution.
The surname Mealey into the world
Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is possible to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Equivalent happens when it comes to Mealey, which as you are able to corroborate, it may be stated it is a surname that can be present in the majority of the nations associated with the world. In the same way you can find countries by which truly the density of people with the surname Mealey is more than far away.
The map associated with the Mealey surname
The possibility of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Mealey on earth, assists us a great deal. By placing ourselves regarding the map, on a concrete nation, we are able to see the concrete amount of people with the surname Mealey, to have in this manner the precise information of the many Mealey as you are able to currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to comprehend not only where the surname Mealey arises from, but also in what manner individuals who're originally part of the household that bears the surname Mealey have relocated and relocated. In the same way, it is possible to see in which places they will have settled and grown up, which explains why if Mealey is our surname, it seems interesting to which other nations regarding the globe it is possible this 1 of our ancestors once moved to.
