Surname Menelly - Meaning and Origin
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Menelly: What does the surname Menelly mean?
The last name Menelly is of English origins. It is derived from an Old English surname, whose first recorded spelling was "Manuele," meaning "Manuel's meadow." It is an early locational surname that denotes someone originally from the town of Manuel in the county of Gloucestershire. This surname is fairly common among families of many nationalities and is especially predominant in the United States and Ireland.
The Menelly surname is generally thought to have originated from the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. As surnames developed, people often adopted the name of the place they came from. In this case, it is believed that the family is descended from the people of Manuel, Gloucestershire.
The Menelly name has grown to be associated with the traits of eagerness, determination, and kindness. Those that bear the Menelly last name are often known to be highly ambitious with a passion for the arts and crafts.
The Menelly family is significant in history, as it has produced several prominent figures in the spheres of politics, education, and business throughout the centuries. Today, the name is widely scattered across Britain, America, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, where the descendants of the original name bearer are still continuing their ancestor's legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMenelly: Where does the name Menelly come from?
The last name Menelly is most common today in the United States. According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau, the name is most popular in Philadelphia, followed by Pennsylvania, New York, Florida and Ohio. The name is also common in California, Massachusetts and Illinois as well as a handful of other states.
As of 2019, Menelly was the 24,193rd most common surname in the United States and the 2,982nd most common Pennsylvania surname. The name was most popular in the 1920s, when it was the 11,098th most common name. It has slowly decreased in popularity since then, but still maintains a relatively common presence in the U.S.
Menelly likely has French roots, as the name was first seen in France in the 12th century. It subsequently spread to the United States and other English-speaking countries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. There are also several variations on the name, such as Mennely, Manelly, Menally and Menelley.
Today, Menelly is more prevalent in certain states and cities than others, but remains a fairly common name throughout much of the United States.
Variations of the surname Menelly
The surname Menelly is of Gaelic origins and has variants throughout the world. In Ireland the name is thought to derive from the O’Maonaigh clan who are of most ancient origin, some five thousand years. The variation of Menelly found in Ireland is O’Maonaigh, Maonach, Moanagh, Maunaigh and Managa.
In Scotland the surname originates from the Pictish Clan of Mac Fhaoláin, a sept of the Clan Donald. Here it is found as McConaghy, McConnachie, McConnachy and McConnaughy.
In Wales, the Maslen family were related to the Lordship of Stradmore and the Welsh variant of Menelly is Maslin. In England, the spelling variants are many and range from Mallen, Mallin, Mellon, Melon, Malin and Millan.
In Germany Menelly is spelled Menney and is found mostly in the Westphalia region. The variants Mennie and Manely also exist as well as the surnames Manelley and Minelly.
In France the spelling of Menelly is seen as Monélier and also Manélier, Ménile and Monelier.
Menelly is also seen in North America where the spelling variants include Maneely, Minely, Manly and Mienly.
No matter the variant or spelling it is certain that all who bear the Menelly name are related in some way.
Famous people with the name Menelly
- Peter Menelly: Peter Menelly was an American television writer and producer in the 1950s and 1960s, best known for writing on situation comedy shows like Father Knows Best.
- Sven Menelly: Sven Menelly was a German art director in the late 1800s, mostly known for his work on German television shows.
- Jean Menelly: Jean Menelly is a French fashion designer best known for her luxury clothing line, Petitflower Boutique.
- LeRoy Menelly: LeRoy Menelly is a former American basketball player who played for California State University, Riverside from 1980 to 1983.
- Rod Menelly: Rod Menelly is an American actor, director, and producer, most known for starring in the 2008 drama movie The Burning Moments.
- Frederick Menelly: Frederick Menelly was an American opera singer in the late 1800s, best known for performing the role of the Evangelist in Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
- Claude Menelly: Claude Menelly was a French painter in the late 1800s, mostly known for his paintings of horses and riders.
- George Menelly: George Menelly was an American football player who played for the University of Florida from 1934 to 1937.
- William Menelly: William Menelly was an American attorney and real estate investor, best known for developing the first subdivision in Charlotte, North Carolina in the early 1900s.
- Patrick Menelly: Patrick Menelly is a singer and songwriter from New Jersey, known for his blues and jazz-inspired music.