Surname Connelly - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling The Origins and Rich History Of My Surname, Connelly, Through an iGENEA DNA Test

Taking the iGENEA DNA test, I delved into the origins and history of my surname, Connelly. The findings revealed a rich cultural and historical footprint, connected to Ireland, a noble lineage, and migration during key historical events like the Great Famine.

Q. Connelly

Connelly: What does the surname Connelly mean?

The last name Connelly is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Conghalaigh", meaning "descendant of Conghalach". The personal name Conghalach is a diminutive of "conghal" which means "valour" or "heroism". Therefore, Connelly can be interpreted to mean "descendant of the valiant one". The name was first found in County Monaghan located in North-Eastern Ireland where they were known as a sept of Oriel, who were originally located in Ulster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, Connelly can also be spelled in numerous ways like Connolly, Conolly, O’Connolly, O’Connelly, Connally and more. Variations in the name's spelling often occurred when families emigrated and phonetically spelled their names.

Connelly: Where does the name Connelly come from?

The surname Connelly is of Irish origin, from the Gaelic "Ó Conghaile." This is composed of the elements "Ó" (a patronymic prefix meaning "grandson" or "descendant") and "Conghaile" (meaning "fierce as a hound"). The Connelly surname first appeared in the province of Connacht in the western part of Ireland, and it was the family name of a noble and hereditary poetic family.

The name has many spellings, often found as Connolly, Conolly, Connally, O'Connolly, Connolley, Connelly, Conoley, etc., as a result of anglicisation.

Today, this surname is common in Ireland as well as countries that have seen significant Irish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is particularly prevalent in areas where Irish emigrants traditionally settled, such as the eastern seaboard of the U.S., and parts of Newfoundland, Canada. Given its Irish roots, it also continues to be a common surname in the counties of Galway and Roscommon in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Connelly

The surname Connelly has its origin from the Gaelic-Irish name O'Conghaile, meaning "hound of valor." It is derived from a mix of Irish and Scottish ancestry. The name went through various changes throughout the years depending on the region and local dialect, resulting in various spellings.

Some of these variants include Connolly, Connally, O'Connelly, Connolley, Conally, Connelly, Connolly, Conoly, Connoley, Connaleigh, Connelay, Connilie, Connilly, Connellye, Connellie, Connaughley, and Cunnely.

The surname Connelly may also be spelled as Conely, Conneely, Connell, Connel, Connelle, Conelly, Canelly, Cunnally, and ConNally among others.

Given the translation and phonetic variations, different families and regions may have pronounced or spelled the name distinctly, leading to the widespread variants we see today.

Note: The inclusion of prefix such as "O'" before the name was common in Gaelic surnames, but it has been dropped or added depending upon the time period and location.

Famous people with the name Connelly

• Jennifer Connelly: An American actress known for her roles in films such as "Requiem for a Dream," "A Beautiful Mind," and "House of Sand and Fog."
• Chris Connelly: A Scottish musician and author, known for his collaborations with the bands Ministry and Revolting Cocks.
• Billy Connelly: An internationally known Scottish comedian, also famous for his acting and presenting skills.
• Kevin Connelly: An American actor and director, best known for his role on the television series "Entourage."
• Michael Connelly: A best-selling American author known for his detective novels, particularly those featuring Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch.
• Kevin Connelly: A British impressionist known for his appearances on the BBC comedy show Dead Ringers.
• Brian Connelly: An American ice hockey player who has played in the National Hockey League.
• Marc Connelly: An American playwright, director, producer, and actor known for his involvement in the Theatre Guild.
• Kristi Connelly: A former Australian cricket player who represented Queensland Fire.
• James B. Connelly: He was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor.
• John Connelly: An English football player who was part of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team.

Other surnames

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