Kelly


Select Kelly Surname Genealogy

Kelly is an Irish origin given name and surname. Etymologically, it originated as a patronymic surname, with the prefix Ó and the suffix Ceallach ("strife", or "contention"), an Old Gaelic clan name, Ó Ceallaigh (anglicized as "O'Kelly"). 

Select Kelly Resources on The Internet
Ireland.  There are said to be possibly ten different Kelly septs in Ireland and unsurprisingly Kelly is, after Murphy, the second most common name in Ireland.  Generally the "O" was dropped from O'Kelly during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The main Kelly grouping has been Ui Maine in mid Galway and south Roscommon in the western province of Connacht.  The O'Kelly of Gallagh is recognized as the O'Kelly chief.  There were also the Kellys of Breagh in Meath and other Kelly families originating in Sligo, Cork, and Laois, as well as the Kellys from Loughinsholin in county Derry.  The Kellys in Antrim and Down in east Ulster may either be of Irish origin or Scots Kellys from Galloway who arrived during the plantations.    

England and Scotland.  The alternative origins of the name Kelly in England and Scotland are locational:

  • in England, from Kelli in Devon, reflected as the Welsh/Cornish celli ("grove"), in public records dating as far back as 1194.
  • in Scotland, from Kelly near Arbroath in Angus, reflected as the Gaelic coille ("wood" or "grove"), in public records dating as far back as 1373.  There was also another grouping of Kellys from Galloway.
Kelly (from McKelly) is also the most common surname in the Isle of Man.  And Kelly has been adapted to mean "brave warrior" in many English-speaking armies and "warrior princess" in American popular culture. 

Select Kelly Names

Michael Kelly
, an Irish actor and theatrical manager, was one of the leadfing figures in British musical theater at the turn of the 19th century.
Ned Kelly was the 19th century Australian bushranger and folk hero.
John J. O'Kelly was President of Sinn Fein from 1926 to 1931.
Grace Kelly was the American actress later Princess Grace of Monaco.
Gene Kelly was the American actor and dancer most remembered for Singin' in the Rain

Select Kellys Today
  • 102,000 in the UK (most numerous in Glasgow)
  • 84,000 in America (most numerous in Florida)
  • 147,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Ireland)
Kelly is the #2 ranked surname in Ireland.


Select Surname List


For other surnames check the companion selectsurname.com site where there are to be found the history and genealogy for more than 500 surnames.

Return to Main Page