Irish, an Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Gallchobhair, 'descendant of Gallchobhar', from a noble family of County Donegal. The name joins gall 'foreign, stranger' with cabhair 'support' (Ancestry) or cobar 'desiring' (Behind the Name). The earliest record noted is Mael Cobo Úi Gallchobhar, an abbot who died in 1022.
Spellings and related forms: Ó Gallchobhair, Ó Gallchóir, O'Gallagher, Gallacher, Gallaher, Galliher, Gallahue.
Follows the traditional reading 'foreign helper': an anchor is a steadying support for a ship from far away.
Most surnames have no single "family crest". In heraldry, a coat of arms belonged to one person and passed down one line of descent. Sites that sell "the Gallagher coat of arms" usually show the arms of one historic family that shared the name. Ours is different on purpose: an original design built from what the name means, which any Gallagher can own honestly.
Blankets: soft velveteen plush (100% polyester), printed on one side; may run up to 3 in. short of the listed size. Rugs: polyester chenille with hemmed edges and a coated backing, for indoor use. Both are printed in the USA (Georgia and North Carolina).
Name meanings come from the sources above, checked 2026-10. Where scholars disagree, we say so.