Surname Kelly - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Celtic Roots: A Personal Journey Through the iGENEA DNA Test

Stepping into the roots of the Kelly surname via the iGENEA DNA test unlocks an exciting heritage journey. This in-depth review shares my experience, insights, and the surprising connections it uncovered.

L. Kelly

Kelly: What does the surname Kelly mean?

The last name Kelly is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic surname "O'Ceallaigh." The Gaelic term "Ceallach" can be translated as "strife" or "contention." However, it's also believed that it might mean "bright-headed." Traditionally, the name was given to individuals who were involved in some form of conflict or who had bright or distinctive hair. Over the centuries, Kelly has become one of the most popular and widespread Irish surnames, not only within Ireland but also in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia due to Irish emigration. A variety of spellings exist including Kelley, Kellie, and many more, all deriving from the original Gaelic name.

Kelly: Where does the name Kelly come from?

The surname Kelly is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "O'Ceallaigh," meaning "descendant of Ceallach." The term "Ceallach" is believed to mean either "bright-headed" or "troublesome."

There were several distinct septs (similar to clans) that adopted Kelly as their surname. These septs resided across various parts of Ireland, with large concentrations found in counties Galway, Derry, Meath, and Tipperary. Specifically, the Kellys of Ui Maine (the Hy Many) territory in Galway and Roscommon were known to be one of the most influential families in Ireland.

Today, Kelly remains one of the most common surnames in Ireland. Due to historical emigration, it has also spread widely within the Irish diaspora, particularly in countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Australia and Canada. As a result, the surname Kelly is found frequently among individuals in these countries, especially in the United States where it ranks within the top 100 most common surnames.

Variations of the surname Kelly

The surname Kelly originated from the ancient Irish name "O'Ceallaigh". Variations in the spelling of Kelly occurred over time due to inconsistencies in the translation from the Irish language to English. Common variants of the surname Kelly include Kelley, Kellie, and the less popular forms, Keilley and Kellley.

The anglicized versions, Kellie and Kelley, are most common in the US and Canada. The surname Kelly can also be found in its original Gaelic form, Ó’Ceallaigh, being prevalent in Ireland. Ceallaigh, Ceallach, and Kellagh are also forms of Kelly but are typically used as first names.

In addition to the simple change in spelling, Kelly also has a number of associated or similar surnames that have the same or similar meanings. These include Callahan, Caillaud, Caley, and Callachan - all hold the meanings of "bright-headed" or "strife".

It should be noted that while many of these names share a common root or are historically related in some way, each has developed its own unique history and distribution pattern, so the specific origin of an individual bearing one of these names could be quite distinct.

Famous people with the name Kelly

• Grace Kelly: An American actress turned Princess of Monaco.
• Gene Kelly: A renowned American actor and dancer famous for musical films like "Singin' in the Rain".
• Ned Kelly: An iconic Australian outlaw.
• R. Kelly: An American singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Jim Kelly: A retired American football quarterback who spent his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills.
• George Kelly: An American playwright and uncle to Grace Kelly.
• Chip Kelly: An American football coach.
• Lorraine Kelly: A British television presenter and journalist.
• Minka Kelly: An American actress known for her roles in TV series like "Friday Night Lights".
• A. P. Kelly: An American film producer.
• Jerry Kelly: A professional American golfer.
• Machine Gun Kelly: An American rapper, singer, and actor.
• Ellsworth Kelly: An American artist associated with hard-edge painting, Color Field, and minimalism.
• Tori Kelly: An American singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Tommy Kelly: An American child actor known for his role in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer".
• Megyn Kelly: An American journalist and lawyer.
• David E. Kelley: An American television writer and producer famous for creating shows like "The Practice" and "Big Little Lies".

Other surnames

KellKellahanKellamKellarKellawayKelleciKelledyKelleherKellenKellenbrinkKellenersKellerKellerbauerKellerbaurKellererKellermannKellermannsKellermayerKellermayrKellermeierKellermeyerKellersKellertKellettKellewayKelleyKellieKellizyKellnerKellock