The Irish surname Daley is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Dálaigh meaning “descendant of Dálach,” a personal name based on dál (modern dáil) meaning "meeting, or assembly." The chief Daley sept belonged to County Westmeath. Several members of the clan distinguished themselves in the field of literature. From County Westmeath, and the bordering parts of County Meath, the Daley's spread to County Clare. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, a Daley family became Barons of Dunsande and Clan Conal in County Galway, and gave six mayors to the city of Galway. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Curonnacht O'Dalaigh, which was dated 12th Century, he flourished in the 12th Century, and presided over a bardic school in County Meath. Today there are approximately 23,000 bearers of the name Daley living in the US.