Tully (surname)
Encyclopedia
Tully is a surname of Irish origin, and spelling variations include; Tally, Tilly, MacTully, MacTilly, MacAtilla, O'Multilly, O'Multully, MacCantully, and Flood. These names are anglicisations of the following Irish names; Ó Taithligh, Ó Maoltuile, Mac Maoltuile, Mac Taichligh, and Mac an Tuile. Mac an Tuile is a corruption of Mac Maoltuile, and has also been anglicised as Flood due to "tuile" in Irish meaning "flood".
, the Tully's, in the form of the Muintir Taithligh (extended-family of Tully), were chiefs of the Hy-Laoghaire of Lough Lir. This district was near the barony of Lurg, close to Lough Erne
, County Fermanagh
, Northern Ireland
. MacLysaght states that "Tally" and "Tully" are anglicisations of a sept called O'Taithligh located near Omagh, County Tyrone
, and that they were erenaghs of Devenish, which lies in western County Fermangh. Woulfe connects these two as being the same also citing that their name originates from Ó Taighligh (also spelt as Ó Taichligh) meaning "descendant of Taithleach", with Taithleach meaning "quiet, peaceful".
The Annals of Tigernach
make mention of a Fland mac Máele Tuile
who was the son of Maeltuile Ua Crunnmaeil. Fland is cited as chief of the Cenél nEógain
and belonged to the Cenél Feradaig. Maeltuile was the son of Crundmáel mac Suibni
, who had also been chief of the Cenél nEógain.
The Clan Tully Association's pursuivant, Andrew Tully, claims that the Clan O'Maoltuile can be traced back as chiefs of Lough Lir through Maolfreach
, who was also chief of the Cenél nEógain and belonged to the Cenél maic Ercae. Though Maolfreach is recorded as having died in 630 AD whereas O'Hart states the Muintir Taithligh were chiefs in the 12th century.
Ironically, Maolfreach's son, Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
, was slain by Fland mac Máele Tuile in 681 at the Battle of Bla Sléibe (in modern County Londonderry
).
, which lies in the ancient province of Connacht
. Mac Maoltuile is also shortened as Mac Tuile. Here it is also anglicised amongst other names as O'Multilly, O'Multully, MacAtilla, M'Cultully, M'Cuntully, and M'Ethwille. It has also been anglicised as Flood due to a corruption of the original name to Mac an Tuile, with "tuile" meaning flood.
The MacTully's are described as being the hereditary physicians of the O'Connor's of Connacht and the O'Reilly's of Kingdom of Breifne
. One of these Mac Tuile's is stated by an eye-witness as being present at the inauguration of Cathal O'Conor, the last king of Connacht, of which he was his physcian.
O'Dugan and Keating also make mention of the MacTaichligh or MacTilly's, who they state as being chiefs in the 12th century of a district in the parish of Drung, in the barony of Tullygarvey, County Cavan
, which was a part of Breifne. Here they were subordinate to the O'Rourke's and O'Reilly's.
The associations objectives include promoting the interests and welfare of Tullys worldwide, bringing them closer together, as well as the perpetuation of Gaelic culture. Along with other objectives it seeks to research and document the history of the Tully's and raise awareness of the clan.
The current chairperson of the Clan Tully Association's clan council as of 2009 is Tyler M. Tully of the United States
.
The Clan Tully Association claim that all Tully's descend from Maoltuile, the younger brother of Maoldoon, sons of Maolfreach. This claim is partially backed up by The Irish Liber Hymnorum which states "And from Mael-tuile son of Mael-fith . . are the race of Mac Mael-tuile". John O'Hart also states a Maoltuile as the son of Maolfreach.
Ulster
According to John O'HartJohn O'Hart
John O'Hart was an Irish genealogist. He was born in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, Ireland. A committed Roman Catholic, O'Hart originally planned to become Catholic priest but instead spent 2 years as a police officer. He was an Associate in Arts at the Queen's University of Belfast...
, the Tully's, in the form of the Muintir Taithligh (extended-family of Tully), were chiefs of the Hy-Laoghaire of Lough Lir. This district was near the barony of Lurg, close to Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
, County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. MacLysaght states that "Tally" and "Tully" are anglicisations of a sept called O'Taithligh located near Omagh, County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, and that they were erenaghs of Devenish, which lies in western County Fermangh. Woulfe connects these two as being the same also citing that their name originates from Ó Taighligh (also spelt as Ó Taichligh) meaning "descendant of Taithleach", with Taithleach meaning "quiet, peaceful".
The Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
make mention of a Fland mac Máele Tuile
Fland mac Máele Tuile
Fland mac Máele Tuile , also Flann Finn or Flann Albus was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill...
who was the son of Maeltuile Ua Crunnmaeil. Fland is cited as chief of the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
and belonged to the Cenél Feradaig. Maeltuile was the son of Crundmáel mac Suibni
Crundmáel mac Suibni
Crundmáel mac Suibni was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the high king of Ireland Suibne Menn...
, who had also been chief of the Cenél nEógain.
The Clan Tully Association's pursuivant, Andrew Tully, claims that the Clan O'Maoltuile can be traced back as chiefs of Lough Lir through Maolfreach
Máel Fithrich mac Áedo
Máel Fithrich mac Áedo was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the high king of Ireland Áed Uaridnach...
, who was also chief of the Cenél nEógain and belonged to the Cenél maic Ercae. Though Maolfreach is recorded as having died in 630 AD whereas O'Hart states the Muintir Taithligh were chiefs in the 12th century.
Ironically, Maolfreach's son, Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Máel Fithrich mac Áedo and grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach...
, was slain by Fland mac Máele Tuile in 681 at the Battle of Bla Sléibe (in modern County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
).
Connacht and Briefne
Tully is also an anglicisation of O Maoltuile and Mac Maoltuile, the name of a medical family that lived in present-day County RoscommonCounty Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which lies in the ancient province of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
. Mac Maoltuile is also shortened as Mac Tuile. Here it is also anglicised amongst other names as O'Multilly, O'Multully, MacAtilla, M'Cultully, M'Cuntully, and M'Ethwille. It has also been anglicised as Flood due to a corruption of the original name to Mac an Tuile, with "tuile" meaning flood.
The MacTully's are described as being the hereditary physicians of the O'Connor's of Connacht and the O'Reilly's of Kingdom of Breifne
Kingdom of Breifne
The Kingdom of Breifne or Bréifne was the traditional territory for an early Irish tribal group known as the Uí Briúin Bréifne...
. One of these Mac Tuile's is stated by an eye-witness as being present at the inauguration of Cathal O'Conor, the last king of Connacht, of which he was his physcian.
O'Dugan and Keating also make mention of the MacTaichligh or MacTilly's, who they state as being chiefs in the 12th century of a district in the parish of Drung, in the barony of Tullygarvey, County Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which was a part of Breifne. Here they were subordinate to the O'Rourke's and O'Reilly's.
Clan Tully Association
The Clan Tully Association, or Chumann Clann ua Maoltuile, was set up in 2009, to help rally support from Tully's worldwide with the intent of reviving the Tully clanship. This was followed by a clan constitution that was submitted to a meeting of Tully representatives from across the world. Upon its ratification it was stated that it was the first Clan Tully meeting since "fourteen centuries ago. It was convened on a monastic island in Loch Erne Ireland."The associations objectives include promoting the interests and welfare of Tullys worldwide, bringing them closer together, as well as the perpetuation of Gaelic culture. Along with other objectives it seeks to research and document the history of the Tully's and raise awareness of the clan.
The current chairperson of the Clan Tully Association's clan council as of 2009 is Tyler M. Tully of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Clan Tully Association claim that all Tully's descend from Maoltuile, the younger brother of Maoldoon, sons of Maolfreach. This claim is partially backed up by The Irish Liber Hymnorum which states "And from Mael-tuile son of Mael-fith . . are the race of Mac Mael-tuile". John O'Hart also states a Maoltuile as the son of Maolfreach.