Surname Carrolly - Meaning and Origin
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Carrolly: What does the surname Carrolly mean?
The last name Carrolly is of Irish origin. It is derived from the anglicised form of Gaelic O’Cearbhaill, which is the Irish form of the ancient Irish name Cearbhall, which comes from the old Irish first name Cearbhaill. The literal meaning of Cearbhaill is ‘fierce’ or ‘brave’ in Gaelic. The name Carrolly has been associated with different clans throughout the centuries and it has shown up in the records in various spellings, including Carrelly, O’Carroll, and O’Carrolly.
The name Carrolly has a colorful history in Irish culture. It can be associated with an ancient Irish clan that dates back well over a thousand years. This clan was located mostly in the borderlands of northern and western Ireland and parts of the midland regions. They were fierce fighters, particularly during the turbulent era between the 1300s and 1600s. During this chaotic period, the O’Carrolly clan were often at the heart of some of the most significant battles and conflicts in Irish history.
It’s believed that the O’Carrollys still exist today though they are now widely dispersed and adopted different spellings of their surname. It’s possible to find people with this last name in other countries and regions across the world, with emigrants taking their name beyond the borders of their home country.
The Carrolly surname is associated with a proud and controversial history. It’s full of stories of bravery and determination, but also of struggles and conflict. But above all, it is a lasting testament to the strength and endurance of the Irish people and their culture.
Order DNA origin analysisCarrolly: Where does the name Carrolly come from?
The last name Carrolly is most commonly found today in Ireland, and it is among the top 300 surnames in the country. It is especially prevalent in the counties of Limerick, Cork, and Kerry. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Germany.
The origin oflast name Carrolly is likely derived from the Irish-GaelicÓ Ciardha, which is a descendant of "ciar", a Gaelic word meaning “black”. The name was anglicized in the 16th century to Carroll and then Carrolly over time.
The Carrolleys were a distinct clan of Irish nobility dating back to the 12th century and were based in Leinster. The first Lord of Ely was Dermod Maceacharnaigh "Ciarda" (Carroll) who began to rise to power in the 13th century. The family governed a large area of the country until the early 19th century.
It is still an important surname today, with its modern-day descendants living across Ireland and spreading to the United States, England, and Canada. In the United States, the Carrolly family is especially prevalent in states like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It is a surname of significant Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname Carrolly
The surname Carolly is derived from the Irish surname Ó Cearbhaill, which is Anglicized as O'Carroll and O'Carrolly. The surname Carolly stems from the old Irish, or Gaelic, word cearbhall, which means "bold" or "brave."
Variants of the surname Carolly include O'Carolly, Caroll, Carrol, Carrell, Carral, Caryl, Caryll, and Carolle. These variations occurred because of differences in Welsh and English spelling, and the fact that the spelling of names was rarely standardized during the Middle Ages.
Carolly is also a related surname which can form all the above variants. Spellings of the surname Carolly can range from Carlly, Caroly, Carally, Carry, Carri, Carely, Carlyle, or Carolye.
Other variations of the surname O'Carroll and Carolly include Carolus (Latinized from Ó Cearbhaill), Correll, Corroly, Keroll, Kerell, Caroll, Corroly, Carral, Kerelly, Carrolle, and Cerrall.
The surname Carolly is relatively rare, which means it may be easy to trace back to the origin of the family. However, variations in spelling and dialect may make it more difficult to identify a person by their name alone.
Famous people with the name Carrolly
- Carrie Carroll, Australian film and television actress
- Robert S. Carrolly, Irish classical violinist and pioneering music educator
- BIOS Testimony (Neal Carrolly), American actor, musician, and director
- Chris Carrolly, American actor
- Brendan Carrolly, American football player
- Amalia Carrolly, Spanish long-distance runner
- Dimitri Carrolly, Turkish basketball player
- Larisa Carrolly, Russian track and field athlete
- Danny Carrolly, American football player
- Brett Carrolly, Australian rules footballer