O'Boyle


O'Boyle is a surname of Irish origin. It is anglicised from the Gaelic Ó Baoighill/Ó Baoill.
The O'Boyle family were a clan of the Northern Uí Néill, supposedly descended from the legendary Irish king Niall of the Nine Hostages down to a Donegal chieftain, Aneisleis Ó Baoighill. The derivation of the Gaelic/Irish is uncertain, and has been translated as "Peril" or "Danger", "son of the rash one" or more positively "having profitable pledges". Their chiefs came to rule over Tír Ainmhireach in the west of what is now County Donegal, which as a result became known as Críoch Bhaoigheallach; later renamed as the barony of Boylagh under colonial rule.
Notable people with the surname include:
Fictional characters include: