Tulley is an anglicized surname of Irish origin. It is primarily found in English-speaking countries and is closely related to the more common surname Tully.
Etymology
The surname Tulley derives from the Gaelic Ó Maoltuile (sometimes rendered as Ó Maol Tuile or Ó Maoiltuile). The prefix Ó signifies "descendant of," while Maoltuile translates to "devotee of Tuile." The element Tuile itself is thought to refer either to a specific saint or to mean "abundance" or "plenty." The anglicization often involved simplifying the Gaelic form to sound more English, leading to spellings like Tully and Tulley.
Usage
As a surname, Tulley is found among various individuals, often with ancestral links to Ireland. While less common than its variant Tully, it shares the same historical roots and phonetic similarities.
Notable People
- Jim Tulley (born 1932), American politician and former Secretary of State of West Virginia.
- Mark Tulley (born 1978), Chilean professional golfer.
- Scott Tulley, New Zealand children's author and illustrator.
- Lyman Tulley (1809–1884), American lawyer, judge, and politician from New York.