Mhaille

Mhaille is a surname of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Máille, meaning "descendant of Máille". The clan name Ó Máille was historically associated with the province of Connacht, particularly the region now known as County Mayo. The O'Malleys were a prominent seafaring dynasty in medieval Ireland, known for their naval strength and control of coastal territories.

The most famous bearer of the surname was Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille), a 16th-century pirate queen and chieftain who commanded her own fleet and engaged in trade and piracy along the west coast of Ireland. Her defiance of English rule and her meeting with Queen Elizabeth I of England are significant events in Irish history. The surname remains common in Ireland and has spread to other English-speaking countries through emigration. Variations in spelling can include O'Malley, Malloy, and Maille.