This interesting surname is the Anglicized version of either of two Irish names, "Falsey", "Falahee" or "Falvey", the former coming from the Gaelic "O Faolchaidh" from "faol", meaning wolf, and the latter from the gaelic "O'Failbhe", possibly from "failbheach", lively. The former name and variant are found in Co. Clare, where the other is prominent in Co. Kerry where it is said to have originated. (The "O", means "male descendant of"). The O'Falveys, O'Sheas and O'Connells were three branches of the same stock tracing their descent to Conaire 1, King of Ireland at the beginning of the Christian era. From legendary to historical times one finds O'Falveys chiefs of Corcaguiney from the twelfth Century to the final destruction of the Gaelic order. In 1690, at least four Falveys were serving as officers in King James army. On August 21st 1652, at St. John the Evangelist, Bublin Richard Faylie married Margret Burns while one Denis Falvey aged 25, immigrated to New York aboard the "John-Ganow" on June 2nd, 1846, from Liverpool. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Falye, which was dated 1606, christening witness at St. Margarets, Westminster, London, during the reign of King James 1 of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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