McAnally

McAnally is an Irish surname. It is the Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Conallaidh meaning 'son of Cú Allaidh' ('wild hound', 'wolf'). The death of the progenitor – Conchobhar mac Con Allaidh, lord of Cenél Moain, in Ulster – is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1178.

In Ulster McAnally, and its common variant spelling McNally, is unrelated to the Mayo name Mac an Fhailghigh ('son of the poor man'). It is however etymologically related to Mac Conallta, a County Sligo sept, and Ó Conallta ('son/descendant of Cú Allta'; a variant of Cú Allaidh).

History
The MacAnallys were of the Cenél nEógain, a large and powerful confederation of clans descended from Eógan mac Néill, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The MacAnally sept of County Tyrone were descended from Conchobar mac Con Allaidh, chieftain of Cenél Moain. A minor sept derived from their eponym Cú Allaidh Ó Luinigh, the family fostered Niall Conallagh O'Neill, tanist of Tyrone, who derived his sobriquet. A prominent branch ruled from their seat of Lisanally (Lios Chon Allaidh) in what is now County Armagh. Another branch settled in Clandeboye, County Antrim and became hereditary physicians to the O'Neill Kings of Clandeboye (Léigh Mac Con Allaidh). In the 17th century, the family lands were confiscated following the Flight of the Earls and subsequent Plantation of Ulster.

The status of the family is fully recognized in the Annals of Ulster and Ceart Uí Néill.

Notable people

 * Aonghus McAnally (born 1955), Irish broadcaster, son of Ray McAnally
 * Charles McAnally (born 1836), American Civil War officer
 * Conor McAnally (born 1952), Irish television producer, son of Ray McAnally
 * David Russell McAnally, (1846–1909), American author on Irish folklore and Celtic mythology
 * Ernie McAnally (born 1946), American baseball player
 * John McAnally (born 1945), British Royal Navy officer
 * Lyman McAnally (born 1957), American musician
 * Mary McAnally (born 1945), British producer and tennis player
 * Ray McAnally (1928–1989), Irish actor, father of Aonghus and Conor McAnally
 * Robert McAnally (1882–1956), Australian composer
 * Ron McAnally (born 1932), American Thoroughbred horse trainer
 * Shane McAnally (born 1974), American musician