The Hurley (or Hurly)
surname in Ireland is of Gaelic origin and primarily an anglicized form of two main patronymic names from the province of Munster:
Ó hUrthuile (or Ó hUirthile): Meaning "descendant of Urthuile," where the personal name Urthuile may possibly derive from elements suggesting "great flood" or related terms. This sept was part of the Dál gCais tribal group (associated with the O'Briens), originally based in areas like County Clare, north Tipperary, and Limerick. They were historically notable as chiefs in Thomond (e.g., linked to places like Knocklong Castle) and appear in records as early as the 14th century.
Ó Muirthile: Often anglicized through forms like Murhilla or Murley to Hurley, with meanings sometimes tied to "sea tide" or "sea valor." This group was centered in County Cork (e.g., around west Cork or Kilbrittain).
The majority of modern Irish Hurleys trace back to County Cork and Limerick regions. (Note: The name has separate English habitational roots unrelated to the Irish ones, from places meaning "corner woodland clearing.") Some sources also note occasional links to similar names like Herlihy, but the primary Irish origins stem from these two Gaelic septs.
Traditional Pedigree of the Dál gCais Ó hUrthuile Line
| Gaelic Name | English / Notes |
|---|---|
| Breannán Bán | Brenann the Fair |
| Dongaile | Dangal |
| Eachaidh | Eohee |
| Congaile | Congal |
| Iorclorach (uncertain reading) | Iorclosagh |
| Flann | Flann |
| Urthuile | Hurly — the progenitor of the O'Hurly family, from whom it took its name |
| Mathghamhan (uncertain reading) | Mahon, son of Hurly. His brother was Prior of Aghaboe, Queen's Co., founded by St. Canice, who afterwards founded Kilkenny (the Church of Canice) |
| Muircheartach | Murtagh, the first who assumed the “O,” signifying grandson or descendant |
| Maoileachlainn | Malachy O'Hurly |
| Eoghan | Eugene O'Hurly |
| Tadhg | Teige O'Hurly |
| Diarmuid na Darach | Dermot of O'Hurly of the Oaks |
| Donnchadh an Chálaidh | Donough of the Port |
| Domhnall Óg | Donnell oge |
| Muircheartach Mór | Murtach Mor O'Hurly |
| Seaán Mór | John the Great O'Hurly |
| Conchubhar an Locha | Conor O'Hurly of the Lake |
| Tomás | Thomas O'Hurly |
| Raghnall | Ranall O'Hurly |
| Pilib | Philip O'Hurly |
| Muiris | Maurice O'Hurly |
| Uilliam | William O'Hurly |
| Eibhir | Eber (or Heber) O'Hurly |
| Urthuile | Hurly O'Hurly |
| Tadhg | Teige O'Hurly |
| Donnchadh Airmneimhneach (uncertain reading) | Donagh Teigue O'Hurly of the dreaded swords |
| Cormac | Cormac O'Hurly |
| Tadhg | Teige O'Hurly |
| Uilliam Geanach | William O'Hurly the good humoured |
| Cormac | Cormac O'Hurly |
| Domhnall | Donnell O'Hurly, who lived about A.D. 1660 and 1670 |
Source: “Some Account of the Family of O'Hurly,” Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Vol. XI (2nd Series), 1905, p. 109 — reproducing a pedigree certified by Owen Connellan, Irish Historiographer to His Majesty, dated 7 March 1836, Royal Irish Academy.