Surname Kennelly - Meaning and Origin

Kennelly: What does the surname Kennelly mean?

The surname Kennelly is of Irish origin derived from the Gaelic "O Ceanndubhlaigh", which means the "descendant of the dark/fierce head," possibly referring to a person's physical characteristics or temperament. It was first found in County Kerry and parts of County Cork, situated in South West Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Over the course of time and due to migration, the name has several spellings which include Cannell, Kinnelly, Kenelly, and so on. Notable people with the surname include Edward Kennelly, an American engineer, and Brendan Kennelly, an Irish poet and novelist. However, like many surnames, the precise meaning may not be clear and could depend upon the branch of the family that it belongs to.

Kennelly: Where does the name Kennelly come from?

The surname Kennelly is of Irish origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic “Ó Cinnfhaolaidh” which translates to ‘descendant of Cinnfhaoladh,’ a personal name meaning 'head of a wolf'. It has variant spellings, including Kenneally, Kenealy, Kennealy, Kennaly, and Kinelly, among others.

The Kennelly surname is predominantly found in the County Kerry in the southwestern region of Ireland, specifically in parishes surrounding Listowel. The family was a part of the ancient Eóganacht dynasty of Munster, a region in southern Ireland.

Today, the name remains common in Ireland, particularly in the area where it originated. It is also prevalent in countries such as the United States, Australia, and England, due to the widespread Irish diaspora during the 19th and 20th centuries. Many Kennellys migrated during the Great Famine of Ireland in the mid-1800s and established roots in these countries. Despite its dispersion globally, the surname Kennelly maintains a strong Irish identity.

Variations of the surname Kennelly

The surname Kennelly has Irish roots, with its original form being "O Cinnfhaolaidh." It was anglicized over time. This surname has spawned several different variants and alternative spellings that are used today. These include Kennely, Kenealy, Kennealy, Keneally, Kenelly, Kenaly, Kenelly, Kinnealy, Kinnelly, Cannealy, Cannelly, Cunnally, and Cunnellie which are more common.

Less common spellings and variations could include Cannaley, Kennelli, Kentelly, Cannellie, and Kenneolley based on phonetic similarities.

Some of these various forms of the surname are the result of phonetic anglicization, which signifies that many spelling alternations are due to the transcriptions of the name based on how they were pronounced in different regions and time periods.

Some people with Irish heritage may also have similar surnames that have been modified for simplicity or to sound more "American" or "British," including Kenley or Knealey. Remember that the spelling of a name can change a lot over the centuries and even within single documents; referred to as a "variant."

Famous people with the name Kennelly

• Brian Kennelly: An Irish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
• Andy Kennelly: An American musician, songwriter and record producer.
• Hon. Ted Kennelly: An Australian politician who served as the Member for Wellington in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1971 to 1984.
• Mark Kennelly: An American musician, singer and songwriter.
• Willie Kennelly: An Irish hurler who played as a left corner-forward for the Limerick and Tipperary senior teams.
• Mollie Kennelly: An American author, speaker, and multimedia marketing consultant.
• Frank Kennelly: An Irish retired sportsperson, who played Gaelic Football with his local O'Tooles GAA Club.
• Gerry Kennelly: A broadcaster, author and former independent public representative in Ireland.
• Joanne Kennelly: An Australian artist, writer and arts educator.
• Barry Kennelly: An Irish former sportsperson, who played Gaelic Football with his local Castlerea Community College GAA Club.

Other surnames

KennelKennellanKennelleyKennely