Surname Kealy - Meaning and Origin
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Kealy: What does the surname Kealy mean?
The surname Kealy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O Caollaidhe", loosely translated as "descendant of Caollaidhe". The name "Caollaidhe" itself is derived from a Gaelic word "caol" which means "slender" or "comely". The name sometimes appears as Kealy or Keely in different records. Given the name's Gaelic roots, it indicates that the initial bearers were descendants of a person who was likely known for being slender or good-looking. Like many surnames, it started as a nickname or descriptor that then transitioned into a family name over time. It is important to note that family names through history can also undergo significant changes in spelling and pronunciation due to regional variations, migration, and other factors. As such, the name might have varied forms in different regions.
Order DNA origin analysisKealy: Where does the name Kealy come from?
The surname Kealy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Caollaidhe," meaning "descendant of Caollaidhe." The Caollaidhe translates to "slender," often associated with youth or beauty. The Kealy surname is a result of Anglicisation, where Gaelic names were given English forms for easier pronunciation and spelling. It belongs to a distinct category of Irish surnames known as ‘O’ names, referring to male descendants.
Originally, the surname Kealy was found predominantly in County Offaly in the province of Leinster, although as a result of widespread Irish emigration, it is not uncommon to find bearers of the name in other parts of the world, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, the surname Kealy is still most common in Ireland today. Variations of the surname include Keely, Keiley, Keeley, Kealy, Cealy, Ceely, and others. Like many Irish surnames, the distribution of Kealy around the world reflects the patterns of Irish immigration and diaspora.
Variations of the surname Kealy
The surname Kealy is of Irish origin and is often associated with the families in Leinster and Carlow County. It is an anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Caollaidhe or Ó Caollaidhe, meaning ‘son of Caollaidhe’, a personal name based on caol (meaning ‘slender’ or ‘comely’).
The surname has several variations and alternate spellings, which can often be attributed to a lack of standardization in spelling rules during the times when these names first began to be used. Some of those variants and spellings include Kealey, Keily, Keiley, Kiely, Kielys, Kiley, Kielley, Keeley, Kellehers, Kyelie, and Kelleys.
Moreover, it's worth noticing that the names can also differ entirely depending on the regional accents and dialects, for instance, the surname Kiley in Munster may be Kealy in Leinster.
In Scotland, the name could be sourced from MacKilley, or in Northern Ireland from MacAleigh. The name has also been Anglicised as Quelly, Quealy, Quill, Quille, Quilly, and Quile.
Over time, due to emigration and transplantation, the name and its variants can be found in many countries around the world, notably England, America, Canada and Australia.
Famous people with the name Kealy
- Adam Kealy: American actor, known for his roles in Water Wars and Squash
- Bill Kealy: Irish politician, founder of the Fine Gael Party
- Brendan Kealy: Irish footballer, goalkeeper for Cork City
- Christina Kealy: American novelist and motivational speaker
- Justin Kealy: Canadian actor, known for roles in The Notebook and The Librarian
- Linda Kealy: Australian journalist and media personality
- Maureen Kealy: American art historian and author
- Mike Kealy: English journalist and news anchor
- Nicole Kealy: American singer, songwriter and actress
- Patrick Kealy: American attorney and legal commentator