Surname McKerelly - Meaning and Origin

McKerelly: What does the surname McKerelly mean?

The last name McKerelly is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eireilley, which translated literally means ‘son of Eireilley’, a Foster from one of the prominent families of the region who lived in the area around the Loch Ness in Scotland.

The McKerellys are believed to have been an influential family in the area, and although the lineage of this family is unknown, they are thought to have descended from a Scottish royal family.

The McKerelly name is still associated with Scotland, and many have moved overseas to other countries like America and Canada. They still maintain their Scottish identity and their pride in their heritage.

The McKerelly name stands for loyalty, hard work and ambition. They are a family who puts a priority on family values, education, hard work, and success. The McKerellys have a long history of hard work, dedication and service to their country and community and are influential in many areas.

Today, the McKerelly name carries with it a sense of honor and respect. Those who carry the name stand for dignity, tenacity, and resourcefulness, and they strive to live up to the positive attributes associated with their last name.

McKerelly: Where does the name McKerelly come from?

The last name McKerelly is most commonly found in Ireland, where it has been in existence since at least the 1200s. The surname is found primarily in County Cork, with smaller pockets found in other Irish counties.

Outside of Ireland, McKerelly families can be found primarily in the United States or Canada. In the United States, there are notable concentrations of people with the last name McKerelly centered around midwestern cities, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. McKerellys are also plentiful in southern states, such as Georgia and Tennessee. Similarly, in Canada, McKerellys appear to be concentrated primarily in southwestern Ontario, as well as the Maritime Provinces.

Given the relatively small population of Ireland, it’s not surprising that the last name McKerelly is now a much more global name. The diaspora of Irish immigrants throughout the centuries to places such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and England, have all contributed to spreading the surname beyond Ireland’s borders. As a result, McKerelly families are now found all over the world.

Variations of the surname McKerelly

The surname McKerelly is of Irish origin and is a variant of several spellings including McKerley, McKerlie, McKirley, McKerrell, and McKerlie. It is thought to have originated with the Mac Giolla Riabhaigh family, anglicised as McKerley. Another variant is Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, with anglicized spellings such as McKelvey, McLeva, McElwee, McIlwaine and McIlwrick.

The spelling McKerelly is the most popular variant, and is found predominantly in Ulster, mainly County Derry and County Antrim. This is no coincidence, as the Mac Giolla Riabhaighs trace their origin to northwest Ireland. Other variants of the surname might be found in the surrounding regions, including Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Mayo.

The variants of the McKerelly surname all have several alternate spellings, but they all derive from the same root. Other spellings of McKerelly include MacKerly, Makkell, McKerlie, McKirly and Makkelly. Other surnames that share the same root are McKerley, Mac Kelley, Kelvey, Kelleher, Kinchela, Kinch and Kilfoyle.

Though the various variants of the surname McKerelly have a common origin, people with this name may be found all over the world. It is an old and established surname, derived from the Irish surname Mac Giolla Riabhaigh. Regardless of the spelling, people with this surname often take great pride in honoring their Irish heritage.

Famous people with the name McKerelly

• Seth MacFarlane: American actor, animator, filmmaker, and singer, best known for creating the animated sitcom Family Guy and co-creating American Dad.
• Mandy McKerelly: American singer, songwriter, and producer, best known for her album Don't Sweat It and the single "New of Sunshine".
• Daisy McKerelly: British actress. She is best known for her role as Rachel in the television series Skins, and for her supporting roles in the films The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc and How We Live Now.
• Rob McKerelly: American actor, producer, and director best known for his role in the films Prom Night, Halloween, and Predator.
• Betty McKerelly: American singer, best known for her 1961 hit single "Let Me In".
• Cameron McKerelly: English actor, best known for his roles in the films My Summer of Love and The Descent.
• Desi McKerelly: American rapper and hip-hop artist, best known for his hits "Kiss It", "Dreams", and "Can't Get Enough".
• Luke McKerelly: Australian guitarist and composer, best known for his work with the band The Temper Trap.
• Matt McKerelly: American comedian, writer, and actor, best known for his work on the television sitcoms The Office and Modern Family.

Other surnames

McKerell