Surname Munly - Meaning and Origin

Munly: What does the surname Munly mean?

The last name Munly is a surname that is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word ‘Hunglea’, which translates to ‘magnificent meadow’. The name is thought to have been derived from a place name, probably in West Yorkshire or Lancashire.

The surname Munly may have been given to someone of notable stature or wealth in the area. It is believed that the name may have been given to a landowner on a piece of property with a magnificent meadow. It is also possible that the surname is derived from a man who held a special office in the area, possibly a senior figure in the government or a leading local landowner or family.

The first mention of the name Munly was in the 12th century in a court document in Lancashire. From the Middle Ages onwards the surname has spread across the United Kingdom and to other parts of the world.

Today, the surname Munly is still popular in England, Wales, and Scotland, although it is thought to be rare in the United States. People bearing the name can be found throughout the English speaking world, and the surname is an important reminder of the proud Anglo-Saxon heritage of the English people.

Munly: Where does the name Munly come from?

The last name Munly is most commonly found in the United States. In the 2010 US Census, 2,374 people had the last name Munly. According to Ancestry.com, Munly is the 7,215th most common surname in the US. Most of the Munly’s are found living in the Southern United States, with the greatest concentration of surnames being in the states of North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. It is also a relatively common name in Canada, with 310 people bearing the name being found in the country’s 2016 Census.

The origin of the last name, Munly, is unclear. Some sources claim that the name may be of English, Irish or Scottish origin. Many members of the Munly family can trace their roots back to Revolutionary war veteran William "Sketch" Munly who served the Continental Army. While there are many theories on how the family got its name, it is likely that the name developed from some other form of the English, Irish or Scottish surnames.

Today, more than a few people with the last name Munly can be found throughout the United States. While they may not be connected with the Revolutionary War veteran, the surname is still originating from some listing of English, Irish or Scottish surnames. While it may be small in comparison, the name Munly is still found throughout the US.

Variations of the surname Munly

Munly – sometimes spelled Munnelly, Munley, or Muhnly – is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic O Maonaigh sept. Meaning "son of the righteous one", the Munly surname is associated with County Donegal, particularly the Inishowen area in the northwest.

An alternative spelling can easily be mispronounced as Muh-lee or Muhn-lee (and even sometimes as Money). The more common variants are Muhnly, Munley, and Munnelly, and all of them date from the same origin.

Surnames associated with the same origin include O Maonaigh, O Maonaoidh, O Monaigh, and O Monoidh. Though the spelling Munly may be rare, it is a legitimate variant of all of the related surnames.

The majority of the Munly surnames originated in the Irish counties of Donegal, Antrim, and Tyrone, and much less commonly in counties Mayo, Fermanagh, and Longford.

In the United States, more than 50 families have been recorded bearing the Munly surname, mostly in the East Coast states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. There is also a strong presence of the Munly surname in London, England.

Although the number of people with the Munly name has declined slightly in the past century, it remains a very unique and distinct surname that continues to stay true to its ancient origins.

Famous people with the name Munly

• Peter Munly: Award-winning American novelist and children’s author.
• Michael Munly: Member of the Los Angeles musical group Sunni Million.
• Arthur Munly: Canadian novelist, short story writer and poet.
• Luke Munly: American film and television actor.
• John Munly: Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
• Elizabeth Munly: Australian artist and sculptor.
• Molly Munly: Singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist.
• Abigail Munly: Award-winning Canadian poet and playwright.
• Jen Munly: Award-winning American playwright and actor.
• Mark Munly: American film and television actor.
• Jamie Munly: Canadian folk musician and songwriter.
• Melissa Munly: Austrian-born American actress.
• Jack Munly: American stand up comedian and video game journalist.
• Nathan Munly: Canadian cinematographer and film director.
• Warren Munly: Former professional American football player.
• Patrick Munly: Award-winning American playwright and actor.
• David Munly: American jazz drummer.
• Claire Munly: British composer, musician, and producer.
• Patricia Munly: Canadian folk singer, musician, and songwriter.
• Joanna Munly: Australian author and poet.

Other surnames

MunleyMunlin