Gormley

Gormley is a surname of Irish origin. The main sept of the clan originated in the north western county of Donegal and the modern barony of Raphoe, in that county, was formerly known by their tribal name of Cinel Moen. The common ancestor and progenitor of these Gormleys was Moen son of Muireadach, son of Eoghan (who gave his name to Tyrone), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

In the "The Annals of the Four Masters" and in the "Topographical Poems" of O'Dugan and O'Heerin, the name is spelt Ó Goirmleadhaigh; the "Annals of Loch Ce" write it Ó Gormshuil and Ó Gormshuiligh: the editor (William Hennessy) writing in 1871 states that the latter was then anglicised O'Gormooly, but Gormley is universal today. The name in means “blue spearman”.

In the Partry Mountains of county Mayo is found a sept also called Gormley, Gormaly and Gormilly. The Irish form of this family's name is Ó Goirmghialla or possibly Ó Gormghaille, both Irish forms meaning “blue hostage”. They were chiefs of this area along with the Darcy or Dorcey family. The present parish of Ballyovey, also called the parish of Partry shows the location of this ancient territory in Mayo. In the area of Lough Key, county Roscommon, we find families of the name (O') Gormaly or Gormally. O'Donovan says that these are quite distinct from the O'Gormleys of Co. Tyrone and that the Irish form of this name is Ó Garmghaile. It is likely that this family is of the same stock as the Mayo sept, but it is unclear of both are related to the main sept of Ulster. In seventeenth century records they are found both as O'Gormley and Mac Gormley, located chiefly in counties Armagh and Londonderry, but also in Roscommon and Westmeath. Gormleys today are chiefly found in County Tyrone and surrounding areas.

...
Wikipedia