Surname Conelly - Meaning and Origin
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Conelly: What does the surname Conelly mean?
The last name Conelly is a derivative of the Irish surname Connolly, which means "descendant of the hound-lover” or “descendant of the traveler.” The root word of the surname originates from the Gaelic name “Ó Conghaile,” which means “descendant of Conghaile.” This was a personal name, derived from the Irish word for “hound” or “war company leader.” The surname Connolly is fairly common in Ireland, as it was borne by a prominent race of Irish families.
Those bearing the name Conelly are likely descended from the Connoltry branch of the O’Connolly's, who were a well-known sept of the Uí Conghaile, the ancient race of Irish nobility that had settled in County Longford sometime in the 13th century.
The Connollys of Ulster are descended from Donal MacConnhail, usually referred to as Donall Reagh MacConnhail. He was an Irish nobleman who was a senior member of the O'Neill Clan. He was granted a vast estate in Westmeath and held considerable influence during the Elizabethan wars.
Today, the Connolly/Conelly name is still commonplace in Ireland, especially in the South-East. It’s also spread to other countries around the world, such as America, Canada, and Australia. The name is a reminder of its honorable origin and its links to a period of time shaped by the strength of the bond between a proud Irish people and their beloved ancestral homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisConelly: Where does the name Conelly come from?
The last name Conelly is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
The Conelly name is of Irish origin, having been derived from the O'Connail and O'Conaill clans of the ancient kingdom of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe. The name, derived from the old Gaelic Connogach, originated from a personal name composed of the elements conn meaning “chief” or “wise” and gal meaning “valor” or “greatly courageous”.
When Irish immigrants began arriving in the United States in the middle of the 19th century, the Conelly surname was among the more common names carried by passengers on the ships. Today, the surname can be found throughout the United States, appearing on the heads of thousands of people.
Conelly is also a quite common name in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and a few other countries. For those of Irish or Scottish lineage, the Conelly surname is a reminder of their ancestral heritage.
The Conelly family has a long and distinguished history, with a number of notables bearing the surname. Among them are Irish actor Gerry Conelly, American physician and professor James Conelly, and Scottish-born American entrepreneur Walter Conelly.
The Conelly surname is still quite common in the United States today, while around the world, it is a reminder of the legacy of the immigrant pioneers who braved the unknown to find a better life.
Variations of the surname Conelly
Conelly is a surname of Irish origin, and is often spelled Connolly or Connelly. The variation of Connolly can also be written as Conolly and Conley. Conversely, Connelly can be spelled Connally and Conally.
The Connolly surname derives from the Irish name Ó Conghaile, which is derived from "Conghal", a personal name formed from the elements "cu", meaning "hound" or "wolf", and "gal", meaning "valor". The ancient Irish spelling for this surname is O Connallaidhe.
Other variations are Connelley, Conally, Connally, Connely, Connly, Connalley, Connolley, Con Lispon, Conlispon, Conly and Conalley. All these surnames have their origins in the Irish name Ó Conghaile, and can be found in both Ireland and Scotland.
The Connelly and Connolly clans have a strong presence in counties Dublin, Cork, Belfast, and Galway in Ireland, and Lanarkshire and Ayrshire in Scotland. The Connelly surname is also historically associated with County Clare, Ireland, in addition to Cork and Dublin.
The Connelly and Connolly names are also found in the United States today, with its Irish variant Conley found in many other areas of the world, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Conelly
- Edward Connelly, actor
- Clem Connelly, American athlete
- Jerry Connelly, former Major League Baseball Player
- David Connelly, television producer and director
- Elizabeth Connelly, Australian television personality and entrepreneur
- Joanne Connelly, former vice-president of the CGNET Corporation
- Richard Connelly, Olympic gold medallist
- Mat Connelly, American basketball player
- Jimmy Connelly, Scottish footballer
- Matthew Connelly, American cellist