Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh
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Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh is an old Irish surname.
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[edit] Origins
Originally Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh in Irish, translated it means “Descendant of a servant of the church”.
“Ua” (Later written as Ó’) denotes descent from (as opposed to “Mac” which roughly means 'son of').
'Maol' directly translates to “bald”. Servants in ancient times wore close cropped hair so the word Maol, when applied to a person, was commonly used to mean a servant. Early monks and priests had close cropped hair with their trademark shaven patch. This can also be associated with the Irish Maol.
'Dómhnaigh' is Sunday (as in the day of the week). However, use of the word Dómhnaigh could also mean church or time/place of worship, due to the close association between Sunday and Church.
From these translations we get the meaning that Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh was a name given to someone descendant from a servant of the Church.
[edit] Legends
There are several legends and stories surrounding the origin of the Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh.
One of the more interesting is that of an early Irish Gael (around or before the time of St. Patrick) travelled to Rome (a none too insignificant journey in those days), perhaps looking for trade opportunities. Once there he converted to Christianity and became the first Irish Catholic. No one is sure if he ever returned to Ireland, but it appears he was eventually canonised. The legend is that it is his line (from his brother/son) that the O'Moloney's came from. In true Gaelic oral fashion this legend is probably one part fact and more than a few parts fiction.
It is certain that at least one O'Moloney line goes back prior to the Christian church, the “clan” name would have been something quite different back then, but with the advent of Christianity and some un-recorded event the name changed.
One legend tells the story of St. Patrick attempting to enter the early Moloney hold. The son of the leader of the family told St. Patrick to turn around or he would be killed, St. Patrick called out that his God would not allow that and continued to advance. The son took up his bow and fired three arrows at the Saint; all three arrows miraculously missed. When St. Patrick arrived at the open gates the son laid down his bow, told the Saint that his God must be very powerful and swore his pledge to the Saint and his God. The leader of the “clan” and all the family followed suit. Legend tells that the family arms came from this incident, as did the accompanying motto “In Domino et non in Arcu Sperabo” (In God and not my bow I will hope).
It may also be possible that the name refers to a descendant of a Druid. The name may have seeped through the Church's strong opposition of paganism.
Druids, who kept their hair short, were sometimes referred to as Mael specifically. Sunday, although renowned as a day of rest and worship in Christianity, also holds some importance in paganism. Many pagans worshipped the Sun.
[edit] Coat of Arms
A note on Irish coats of arms. Unlike English heraldry the Irish did not limit the use of the symbols to just one person. The 'coat of arms' in Ireland was used by the whole extended 'family', although most Irish didn't really see the need for elaborate heraldry so it wasn't actively displayed. Most Irish coats of arms date back to well before English times. Originally each 'clan' would have their colours (for the Moloney's this was blue (azure) and gold), then it became 'fashionable' to adopt a motif that was significant to the clan. The motto's were a much later addition, really post English rule. From what I understand they usually have little to do with the arms, but the Moloney's may be a bit of an exception here.
[edit] History
The name Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh was sometimes given to the illegitimate children of priests (mainly as a Christian name in Scotland). The early Irish Catholic church did not hold the same beliefs as Rome in terms of celibacy. Although never officially recognised by Rome as marriage it was at one time common for Irish priests to take wives. The practice seems to have ended after the Irish Church petitioned Rome to change its stance on celibacy. The petition was rejected and the practice of taking wives ended. It is possible that this is the origin of the modern name, but unlikely.
The accurate history of the O’Molony’s may have been recorded in the family library at the old estates in Kiltanon. However the house was destroyed by fire in 1920 along with most of the relics from earlier times.
The 'official' history of the name runs something like this: The family originated within the Ui Toirdealbhaigh of the Dál gCais (dahl gash) contred (now called Dalcassian) of the ancient Irish kingdom of Tuath Mhuman (tu-ah umon) or Thomond (often ruled by the Ó Brien Sliocht). The old Sliocht seat was Cuitenan (Kiltanon), near Tulla, in east County Clare. The Kiltanon estate was divided in the 1920s and the family seat Kiltanon House was burned. Tulla has a population of about 500.
To clarify a 'Ui' or 'Hy' as it is sometime spelt (as in Ui Toirdealbhaigh above) is the widest family grouping. Within the Ui could be several different families or 'Ua' (such as Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh). 'Ua' became 'Ó' and is where we get names like O'Brien (and O'Moloney). The Molony's and the O'Brien's are actually part of the same Ui but are different 'Sliocht' or sept. The contred are an even wider and looser grouping of allied Ui.
The Molony's were known as princes of the Dál gCais and held a number of castles around the Kiltanon region. The history of the Dál gCais runs right back to the Tower of Babel and the journey of the Gaels to Ireland.
The last "Molony of Kiltannon" was Col. William Beresford Malony (died 1960). The family moved to Dublin after the burning of Kiltanon.
There is no Molony on the Irish council of chiefs, despite it being one of the older Irish families. The council of chiefs was established after independence from England was regained. There may be a position open if someone can prove the appropriate lineage, but it appears no-one has ever tried.
(Additional History) Traditionally, the ancient Kings of Ireland were descended from King Milesius of Spain, the grandson of Breoghan (Brian), King of Galicia, Andalusia, Murcia, Castile and Portugal. Milesius, a great general/King, was instrumental in defending Egypt from the King of Ethiopia. Milesius turned his attention northward to Ireland to fulfill an ancient Druidic prophecy. He sent an army to explore this fertile island. On finding that his son had been murdered by the three resident Irish Kings (the Danans), Milesius gathered another army to take his revenge on the Irish. He died before he embarked on the trip. His remaining eight sons conquered Ireland.
Heremon, eldest son of Milesius, reigned in Ireland for fourteen years. Along with his brothers, Heber, Ir, and Ithe. They named the land Scota or Scotia, their mother's name, the land of the Scots. This name would later be taken by the Irish King Colla in 357 when he was exiled to Scotland leaving the name “ire-land', land of Ir, youngest of the four sons of Milesius, to the Emerald Isle.
The four Irish kingdoms eventually broke into five separate nations under the High King, or Ard Righ. These royal lines would later produce such great Kings as the 4th century King Niall of the Nine Hostages who died in France while cutting off the retreat of the Romans from Britain, and King Brian Buro who died in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, finally expelling the Vikings from Dublin and Ireland.
This great Gaelic family Maloney emerge in later years in county of Clare. They were descended from the O'Brian Kings of Munster. The Molonys were Princes of County Clare. Their territory was at Kiltanon, in east Clare and were a strongly ecclesiastical family. Several of the family were Bishops of Killaloe, one, John Molony, assisted in the foundation of the University of Paris. They branched into neighboring Limerick and Tipperary. In later years they branched to Granahan and Six Mile Bridge House in County Clare. Their main seat, however, remained at Kiltanon. Prominent amongst the family at this time was Father Donough O'Molony who was tortured to death in 1601.
In North America, some of the first migrants which could be considered kinsmen of the sept Maloney of that same family included Eleanor Moloney settled in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1767; Joseph Moloney settled in Pennsylvania in 1772; Biddy Edmund, George, James, John, Michael and Patrick Molony all arrived in Canada in 1847; John Molony settled in Boston in 1763; Darby Mallonee settled in the Barbados with his wife and children in 1679. In Newfoundland, Walter from Waterford, Ireland, settled in little Placentia (now Argentia)in 1732; Andrew settled in Trinity in 1772; Andrew Maloney settled in St. John's about 1782; James from Tipperary, Ireland was married in St. John's in 1808; Elizabeth Malowny settled in Harbor Grace 1in 1812; Thomas was granted land in Witless Bay in 1847; Peter was a tinsmith in Harbour Grace in 1871. There are place names in Newfoundland of this name, Maloneys Beach, Maloneys Hill and Maloney River.
Resources include: books by O'Hart, McLysaught and O'Brian, the Four Masters, baptismal, parish records and ancient land grants.
The Irish clans do not place such importance of lineage to choose their leader. The successor was usually appointed by the failing leader, normally his eldest son although it could easily be a brother, younger son or cousin. The most capable person was put into power and if they were not a challenge could be made to their leadership by a more capable person.
[edit] Church Service
There have been many people of the Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh name and its variants who have and continue to give outstanding service to the churches, especially the Roman Catholic church. Prominent among those of the past are Bishops John O'Molony I and II who were bishops of Killaloe, Clare. Bishop O'Molony II in particular is well-known as the one who established the Irish College in Paris in the late 1600s. He was a personal friend of Oliver Plunkett and it was he who was accused of being the author of the plot to bring the French Army to Ireland to land in Carrickfergus, the plot which let to the execution of Oliver Plunkett and for which £150 was put on his head. Currently Fr. Francis Moloney is an advisor to Pope Benedict and is widely considered[citation needed] to be the leading authority in the world on the Gospel of St. John. He lectures in the CUA (Catholic University of America) and is a prolific author.
[edit] Related Names
The following is a list of names that are related to Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh. This is not a complete list; there may be other names.
- Downey
- Gildowney
- MacDowney
- MacEldowney
- MacGildowney
- Mallowney
- Maloney
- Malony
- Malowney
- Malowny
- Molloney
- Moloney
- Molony
- Molowney
- Mollowney
- Mullowney
- Mullowny
- Muldowney
- O'Moloney
[edit] Unrelated Names
To complicate matters there are many Irish names that are often confused with Moloney. These names include Malone, Mahony, and Mullaney. Malone is from the old Irish name Maol Eóin. Mahoney is from the old Irish name Ua Mathúna. Mullaney is from the old Irish name "Ua Maoil Eanaigh."
Finally, Maloney should never be confused with "Mallory" or "Molineaux". These are names brought over by the Normans when they invaded Ireland.
Some families in north County Tipperary now called Molony are not from Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh, but Ua Maol Fhachtna, which, however, was also in rare cases anglicised as Maloughney and MacLoughney. Additionally, most Downeys (or variants) are not related to the Moloneys. Many, if not most of them, are actually part of two different septs. One was called Dunadhaigh and is from the Galway region. The other is from Cork.
The Molony family have since spread out around the world residing in mostly America, Australia and New Zealand.
[edit] The Moloney Clan
A 'Moloney Clan' now exists with an official website at http://www.moloneyclan.com. Projects of the Clan include the rebuilding of the famous 'King Louis table', an inlaid grey marble table given by King Louis XIV of France to Bishop John O'Molony II as restitution for losing his temper at a games of cards. This priceless table may have been destroyed in the fire which burnt down Kiltanon House in 1920 during the Irish 'troubles'. It had been valued at £10,000 in 1914. Local rumours persist that the table was taken from the house before the house was destroyed.
