Ancestry

(O) FLATLEY (O) FLATTERY

Both names are said to be basically the same. Originally Ó Flaithfhileadh in Irish, then contracted to Ó Flaithile and Ó Flaitile anglice Flatley. It is suggesed that this was corrupted to Flattery. It would appear that while the two names are to a large extent synonymous they represent at least two distinct septs. In the annals of the Four Masters the name Ó Flaithre occurs four times in entries relating to Ulster between 971 and 1166; while in the same early period Ó Flaithfhileadh in Offaly. Today Offaly is where the name Flattery is mainly associated – in the “census” of 1659 it is returned as a principal Irish name in three different baronies of Co Offaly. In modern times Flatley is numerous in north Connacht where the O’Flatleys of Moy were one of the Hy Fiachrach septs and Carrowflatley is a place in Co. Sligo. Flattery is found there as well as in Offaly. Today both names are found in Co. Galway. Further confusion may arise from the fact that in some old records O’Flattery has been equated with O’Flaherty through clerical error.