McNally is an Irish surname.
In Ulster, it originated in County Tyrone as the anglicized form of 'son of Cú Allaidh', a Gaelic name of the Cenél nEógain meaning the 'wild hound', i.e. 'wolf'. Prevalent in Ulster counties Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan, Mac Con Allaidh is a branch of the “Northern Ó Néill” group of Ulster clans. They are separate from the Mayo name (see below).
In Connacht, the surname (typically spelt as Nally) originated in County Mayo as anglicized from (modern Irish: Mac an Fhailí). Of Norman origin, the name was a Gaelicized form of Le Poer meaning "poor man" – this actually refers to a deliberate, religious vow of poverty, rather than ordinary pauperism.
Notable people with the name include:
A–J Adrian McNally, British songwriter, producer and composer
Andrew McNally III (1909–2001), American printer and publisher
Andy McNally (born 1982), English rugby league footballer
Bernard McNally (born 1963), Northern Irish footballer and manager
Brendan McNally (1935–2011), Irish footballer
Charles McNally (1787–1864), Irish Roman Catholic Bishop Chloé McNally, Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner from the US
Christopher McNally (born 1960), American politician Colin McNally (1899–1952), Australian politician Conor McNally, Métis documentary filmmaker
David McNally (academic) (born 1953), Canadian political scientist David McNally (director) (born 1960), British-Canadian director David McNally (football executive), English football administrator
Donna McNally (born 1972), Northern Irish lawn bowler Dustin McNally, American politician Ed McNally (born 1962), Scottish-born Canadian soccer player Edward McNally (1900–1968), American politician Elizabeth M. McNally, American human geneticist and cardiologist Errol McNally (1943–2017), Northern Irish footballer
Frank McNally (politician) (born 1988), Scottish politician George E. McNally (1923–1988), American politician
Grant McNally (born 1962), Canadian politician Gregg McNally (born 1991), Ireland international rugby league player
Isabelle McNally (born 1989), American actress
James McNally (musician), British musician James McNally (American football), American football player and coach
Jody McNally, American politician Joe McNally (Gaelic footballer) (born 1960), Dublin Gaelic footballer
John McNally (politician) (born 1951), Scottish politician John McNally (tennis) (born 1998), American Professional tennis player John McNally (sport shooter) (born 1956), American sports shooter John McNally IV (born 1969), American lawyer
Josh McNally (born 1990), England international rugby union player
K–Z
Keith McNally (born 1951), British restaurateur
Lauren McNally, American politician
Louise McNally (born 1965), American linguist Luke McNally (born 1999), Irish professional footballer Mark McNally (footballer) (born 1971), Scottish footballer
Mark McNally (cyclist) (born 1989), British cyclist Martin McNally, Irish sportsman Mary McNally (born 1955), American politician Michael Joseph McNally (1860–1916), United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
Nicholas McNally (1931–2021), Zimbabwean judge Owen McNally (1906–1973), Scottish footballer
Paul McNally (astronomer) (1890–1955), American astronomer Paul McNally (footballer) (born 1949), English footballer
Sonia McNally (born 1973), British visual artist
Stephen McNally (musician) (born 1978), British musician Stephen McNally (footballer) (born 1984), Scottish footballer Steve McNally (doctor), English physician
T. M. McNally (born 1969), American writer
Zena McNally (born 1979), English singer
See also
Arthur McNalty (disambiguation) McAnally Nally
References