Surname Kehilly - Meaning and Origin
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Kehilly: What does the surname Kehilly mean?
The last name Kehilly is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Eachaille. It is derived from the Irish words "mac" meaning "son of" and "Eachaille," which is the surname of a famous Irish king.
The Mac Eachaille family was a small sept of the larger Uí Fiachrach dynasty who governed the area of County Mayo in Ireland for many centuries. As their name translates, Mac Eachaille are descendants of an Irish king who ruled that area during the Middle Ages. Traditionally, they were a prosperous family which held control of large swaths of land.
The Kehilly name is most likely a result of British colonization of Ireland which saw many Irish families anglicizing their surnames. As the British had hundreds of years of control over the Irish, many last names common today are anglicized forms of Gaelic names. In the case of Kehilly, it is likely that the Mac Eachaille surname was anglicized to "Kehilly" as it is easier to pronounce for English speakers.
Today, the Kehilly name is relatively uncommon, but can be found mainly throughout Ireland and Great Britain, but also in some other parts of the world due to Irish emigrations.
Order DNA origin analysisKehilly: Where does the name Kehilly come from?
The last name Kehilly is most commonly found in Ireland, where it is especially concentrated in County Cork. It was likely first adopted there around the 13th or 14th century and has since been carried down through the generations. The surname is also found elsewhere in the United Kingdom, particularly in England, where it is concentrated in the northeast, and in other countries with Irish diaspora, such as the United States and Canada. In addition, the Kehilly surname is also present further afield in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and beyond.
Due to its Irish origin, people carrying the Kehilly surname can often claim shared heritage with other Kehillys around the world. Commonly, people with the same surname have shared ancestral roots and are likely connected to each other, making them distant relations. This shared identity gives rise to a sense of unity, strength, and belonging among those who carry the Kehilly name.
Thus, whether it is in the emerald isle of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, or beyond, the Kehilly surname has escaped its geographic borders to be found the world over. It is a testament to the wanderlust of the Irish people, and a powerful reminder of the journeys our ancestors took in search of a better life.
Variations of the surname Kehilly
The surname Kehilly is of Irish origin and is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname O Ceallachain. It is derived from the personal name Ceallachain, which is the Gaelic form of the Old Irish name Cellachán meaning ‘bright-headed’.
The surname Kehilly is most commonly found in County Cork in Southern Ireland and is believed to have arrived with the Normans in the 12th century. It is also found in other parts of Ireland, particularly in counties Tipperary, Kilkenny, and Offaly.
Variations of the surname include Keelly, Kealy, Keely, Kealy, Keeley, Keelley, Keilley, Keighley, Kiley, Quilley and Kelleher.
The Anglicised Kelleher is found more frequently in other parts of Ireland, especially in County Kerry. Other variants include Kealy, Kielley, Kiely, Quilly, Keily, Keaine, Kealine and Kally.
A variation of the Kehilly surname is also found in Scotland, where it was anglicised as Kelly. In this case, the name is a derivation of the Gaelic ‘Mac Ceallachain’ meaning ‘son of Ceallachain’.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Florida, where it is spelled as Kelleher, Kiely, and Quilley, although other variant spellings are also found in other parts of the country.
Famous people with the name Kehilly
- Eddie Kehilly: Former Irish professional footballer
- John Kehilly: Former Irish politician
- Liam Kehilly: Irish rugby union player
- Rich Kehilly: Professional skateboarder and artist
- Siobhan Kehilly: Irish swimmer
- Tony Kehilly: Founding principal at Ritchies
- Danny Kehilly: British Actor
- Joe Kehilly: Irish musician and songwriter
- Matthew Kehilly: American-based Canadian actor
- Siobhan Kehilly: Irish professional triathlete
- Harry Kehilly: Former British labourer
- Mark Kehilly: British radio presenter
- Michael Kehilly: Irish News Anchor
- Noel Kehilly: Author and public servant
- Patrick Kehilly: Former Member of Parliament
- Richard Kehilly: Irish barrister and counsel
- Rhiannon Kehilly: Welsh professional cyclist
- Réamonn Kehilly: Irish philosopher and academic
- Rosemary Kehilly: Former Irish politician
- Sam Kehilly: British production sound mixer