CLOHESSY Family History

Recorded as Clohisey, Clohesy, Clohessy, Clohissy, and others, this is an Irish surname. It is a developed form of the Gaelic O' Clochasaigh, meaning the male descendant of the bold or forward one. Traditionally Irish family names are taken from the heads of tribes, revered elders, or some illustrious warrior, and are usually prefixed by O', meaning male descendant of, or Mac denoting son of. The O' Clochasaigh clan belonged to the Munster county of Clare where Ballycloghessy in that county specifically locates them.