CONNOLLY
Connolly is a surname that originates from the island of Ireland, where it evolved from Gaelic and Celtic linguistic roots and is traditionally associated with Christian heritage.
The modern rendering of the name Connolly derives from the Gaelic patronymic Ó Conghaile, meaning descendant of Conghal. The personal name Conghal is itself taken from the Gaelic noun congal, which denotes high or noble, thereby characterising bearers of the surname as individuals of distinguished lineage. A further decomposition of the name shows the elements con (hound) and gal (valor), so that Conghaile may be interpreted literally as hound of valor, and the entire patronymic as descendant of the Hound of Valor.
Historically the surname belonged to the ancient Connacht sept known as the O'Conghaile. Over time the sept split into three principal branches. The chief line settled in County Meath and was one of the revered Four Tribes of Tara, connected with the seat of the Irish High Kings on the Hill of Tara. The second line operated within the ancient Kingdom of Oriel, covering what is now County Monaghan, where the O'Connollys ruled alongside the McMahons and McKennas until the end of the twelfth century. The Munster branch established itself in West Cork, where the surname was frequently written as O'Coingheallaigh, an appellation meaning faithful, reliable and diligent.
One of the most prominent contemporary figures bearing the surname is James Connolly (1868–1916), a celebrated labour leader and signatory of the Irish Declaration of Independence, whose example has ensured that the name continues to carry a legacy of public service and activism.
The earliest documented appearance of the family name is found in the Fiants Records of County Monaghan, dated 1591, under the entry Tirlogh O'Connola, Chief and Vice‑Marshal to MacMahon, which places the surname firmly within the political records of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, affectionately known among contemporaries as “Good Queen Bess”.
Through these documented instances it is clear that the surname Connolly has endured for many centuries, its bearers having played significant roles in the historical, political and social fabric of Ireland.
Typical given names associated with the Connolly surname
Male
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Connley
- Connery
- Conley
- Connally
- Conelly
- Connelley
- Connely
- Connelly
- Conely
- Conly
- Conneally
- Connaly
- Conily
- Conneley
- Conlly
- Cannolly
- Connilly
- Connoll
- Connlley
- Connlly
- Connly
- Connoal
- Connola
- Connole
- Connoley
- Connolley
- Connolloy
- Connoly
- Conole
- Conoley
- Conoll
- Conolley
- Conolly
- Conoly
- Conolyn
- Canolly
- Conally
- Conlley
- Connalley
- Connily
- Connold
- Connonly
- Conway
- Kennelly
- Kenealy
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Connolly in...
Braille
⠉⠕⠝⠝⠕⠇⠇⠽
Morse
-.-.----.-.---.-...-..-.--
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Connolly are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Digestive.
There are approximately 19,903 people named Connolly in the UK. That makes it the 431st most common surname in Britain. Around 306 in a million people in Britain are named Connolly.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Connolly
- Billy Connolly - Scottish comedian
- Brian Connolly - Musician (1945 to 1997)
- James Connolly - Irish republican and socialist leader (1868 to 1916)
- Cyril Connolly - Author (1903 to 1974)
- Nathan Connolly - Musician, singer
- Callum Connolly - Football player
- Sarah Connolly - Mezzo-soprano
- John P. Connolly - Businessman
- Matthew Connolly - Football player
- David Connolly - Irish football player
- Aidan Connolly - Scottish football player
- Peter Connolly - Historian, illustrator, and academic (1935 to 2012)
- Tom Connolly - American baseball umpire (1870 to 1961)
- John Connolly - Scottish football player
- Paul Connolly - Football player
- Paddy Connolly - Scottish football player
- Jon Connolly - Scottish football player
- Karl Connolly - Football player
- Gary Connolly - Rugby league and rugby union football player
- Sybil Connolly - Irish fashion designer (1921 to 1998)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.