The surname Scally is an anglicized version of the Gaelic "Mac Scalaíghe ", which means "Son of the Storyteller".
[citation needed] It was first found in County Westmeath.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mac Scalaíghe, which was dated around 1100 by the Ancient Records of Westmeath during the reign of High Kings of Ireland.
[citation needed] The clan were forced to spread out due to Anglo-Norman pressure but many remained in the Midlands.
The form Scales is found mainly in County Clare The form Skelly is found mainly in Counties Roscommon and Westmeath.