Dálaigh

Dálaigh is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name Ó Dálaigh, meaning "descendant of Dálach." The personal name Dálach itself is believed to have originated from the word "dál," meaning "assembly" or "council," suggesting a lineage associated with leadership or counsel. The Ó Dálaigh clan was historically a prominent bardic family, renowned for their poets and chroniclers who served the great families of Ireland. They held significant influence and were patrons of the arts and literature for centuries.

The name is most commonly found in the west of Ireland, particularly in the provinces of Munster and Connacht. Notable individuals with the surname Dálaigh include various poets and scholars who contributed to the preservation of Irish culture and history. While the bardic tradition eventually declined, the surname Dálaigh has persisted and remains a common Irish name today, carried by descendants across Ireland and in the Irish diaspora worldwide. The spelling of the surname can vary, with common anglicized forms including Daly, Daley, and Dally, though Dálaigh is also still used.