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Divilly OriginsDivilly is the anglicised form of the the Gaelic "O'Duibhghiolla" Devilly, Diffley, Devally, Deffely, Duffley, Deely are all considered synonymous with it. "Duibh" "Ghiolla" translates to "black" "boy-servant". The prefix "O" implies descendant of. This opens up two possibilities, either our ancestors were black servants or an aristocratic family who had a back boy-servant. Without the benefit of 21st century genetic engineering the latter seems the more likely. The family origins are in Galway, Ireland. The Spanish seafaring connection with Galway and the regular visits of Spanish merchant shipping to Galway port may have been the source of the black immigrants. While Galway is now a very vibrant cosmopolitan city with visitors and inhabitants from all over the globe, black people in rural Galway in earlier centuries must have been quite unusual. On the other hand the black may just refer to the hair colour of the servant. Divilly/Duibhghiolla is an ancient Gaelic Irish name and can be traced back to the High Kings of Connacht in the fourth century. The Divilly ancestors are descended from two Co. Galway septs. These were Ui Fiachra Aidhne in the southern part of the county around Kinvarra and the Siol Anmchadha in the south east of the county. There is some evidence to suggest that the Siol Anmchadha may also have been near the Galway Mayo county border at Headford. Uí Fiachrach Aidhne SeptThe descendants of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Mugmedon, King of Connacht in the fourth century. The Uí Fiachrach divided into two septs. The Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe were located in Co. Sligo and Co. Mayo. The southern Uí Fiachrach Aidhne was a sept in the southern part of Co. Galway. The Uí Fiachrach Aidhne sept territory included the baronies of Kiltartan, Loughrea and DunKellin. Check out the Baronies of Connacht map. Siol Anmchadha SeptThe Siol Anmchadha sept, closely related to the O'Maddens was located in the barony of Longford in the south eastern part of Co. Galway and was distinguishable as a separate sept until the end of the sixteenth century. The Maddens were chiefs of the Siol Anmchadha sept and this may explain why the Madden family crest is usually used by members of the Divilly family. Check out the Baronies of Connacht map. It was not until well into the last century that the Divilly name was found east of the Shannon and outside of Ireland. Padraic Divilly, Morganure, Kilkerrin, Co. Galway, believes from his late father and grandfather that the Divilly roots can be traced back to "the year of the French" when the French army landed at Killala Bay, Co. Mayo in 1798. A number of soldiers did not return to France. In this group of people were three or four brothers and some cousins. The surname of those people was Di Villi or Divilli or Divillia or Di Villai or D'Villi. This name may have existed in the past or presently exist in France. His late father and grandfather believed that those people first settled in Leitra just outside of Glenamaddy and about six miles north of Kilkerrin. It is understood that some of the group moved to Headford and later to Monivea and Gort. If you have any additional information why not send it by email to origins@divilly.com or add your comments via the Discussion Forum? |
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