of the name in Ireland are undoubtedly of Gaelic Irish stock.
The surname was usually spelt "Morally" or "Morrelly" both
of which are phonetically closer to the original Irish form of
the name, than "Morley".
Families of the surname were found in the Boyle area of
County Roscommon and in the Headford area of County
Galway in the medieval period. The name is attested in
East Mayo since the 1590's. Knock Parish, in particular, and adjoining portions of Bekan Parish, have been a stronghold of
the Morley's since the 17th century at least. The Townland name of Eskerymorilly ( about one
mile south of Knock village ) means " sand hill of the Morley's " and is on record since the
1620's, at least.
By far the greatest concentration of Morley families was in the townland of Lissaniska,
parish of Bekan and the adjoining townlands of Cloonfaghna, Cruckaunrannell and
Magheramore in the parish of Knock. It is probable that this area was the 'headquarters'
of the Morley Clan in East Mayo, and also of many Morley's in that general area.
Thomas Morley, who was born sometime around the begining of the 18th Century,
married Honaria Waldron and had died before 1856. They farmed in the Townland
of Cuiltycreaghan in Bekan Parish, Ballyhaunis,
Co Mayo.
Amongst their children ,,, Richard c1830 - Walter 1833 - Mary 1838 ,,,
Their children were, Thomas 1866 - Patrick 1867 - Thomas 1868 - Honor 1871
Mary 1872 - Honor 1875 - Edward 1877 - Richard 1879 - John 1881 - Cecilia 1885 -
Michael John ( 1887 - 1961 )
Thomas, Patrick & Michael came to England.
Jack Morley 1923 - 1991
