There is some evidence to suggest that they were not of the Uí Maine dynasty, but an indigenous people conquered by the latter in the 7th or 8th century.
A son of Melaghlin Ó Maolalaidh, Seán was to be the last Chief of the Name to live in the family's original homeland.
Seán led the family to Tuam, where he leased eighteen townlands from Baron Athenry.
Seán died in 1480, having been chief for sixty-one years, and was buried at Kilbannin.
Irish stage and screen actor Mick Lally (1945–2010) was a native of Toormakeady, north-west of Tuam.