The Foley family came from the townland of Breanamore (sometimes spelled Brenamore) in the parish of Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. The farthest back we can trace the Foleys is to Michael, the father of Anne below. We're only assuming her father's name was Michael because in Griffith's Valuation (carried out in 1857 and 1858 for Roscommon), the only record for a Foley in Breanamore is for a Michael. In the 1901 census, there's no return for any Foley family in Breanamore.
It's thought Anne's father was a pig exporter.
The Foley surname comes from the Irish surname 'Ó Foghladha', from 'foghlaidh' meaning 'pirate' or 'marauder'. The name originated in Co. Waterford and from there spread to counties Cork and Kerry. The name is most common now in these three counties, although it's numerous generally throughout the southern half of the country.
