KELLEY
Kelley
Introduction
Kelley is a surname of British origin, with variations such as Kelly and Kellie also found in the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the Old Gaelic name "Ó Ceallach" or "Ó Cadhla", meaning "descendant of Ceallach" or "descendant of Cadhla". The name has ancient roots in Ireland and Scotland, and over time, it spread to England and other English-speaking countries.
Origins
The Kelley surname is most commonly associated with Ireland, where it is believed to have originated in the pre-9th century. The leading clans associated with the name have been recorded in various parts of Ireland, particularly in County Galway and County Meath.
In Scotland, the name Kelley is closely related to the Kelly clan, which has a history dating back to the 12th century. The Kelley surname is also found in England, where it has been recorded in various regions, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London.
Notable Individuals
The Kelley surname has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. One prominent figure is Adam Kelly, a British scientist known for his contributions to the field of physics. Another notable individual is Emily Kelley, a British author famous for her novels set in the Victorian era.
Modern Distribution
In modern times, the Kelley surname remains prevalent in the United Kingdom, particularly in Ireland, Scotland, and England. The name has also spread to other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to immigration and historical ties.
Variants
Variants of the Kelley surname include Kelly and Kellie. These variations have been used interchangeably over the centuries, with different branches of the family adopting slightly different spellings.
Conclusion
The Kelley surname is a recognisable and established name with Gaelic origins in Ireland and Scotland. It has a rich history and is still widely present in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The name carries with it a sense of heritage and tradition, making it an integral part of British and Irish culture.
There are approximately 2,535 people named Kelley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,475th most common surname in Britain. Around 39 in a million people in Britain are named Kelley.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Alison
- Anne
- Christine
- Dawn
- Emma
- Jane
- Jean
- Joan
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Calley
- Caley
- Kelly
- Kalley
- Kaley
- Kailey
- Kallie
- Kallies
- Kalie
- Cayley
- Cailey
- Kaeley
- Kayley
- Kally
- Kelle
- Cailly
- Caily
- Calay
- Caleya
- Callay
- Calleya
- Cally
- Caloy
- Caluya
- Caly
- Caulay
- Cauley
- Caulley
- Caully
- Cauly
- Cawley
- Cawly
- Clay
- Claye
- Cleay
- Cley
- Cllay
- Cloy
- Cly
- Coaley
- Coalley
- Cohley
- Coiley
- Colay
- Coley
- Collay
- Colley
- Colly
- Coly
- Colye
- Cooley
- Coolley
- Cooly
- Couley
- Coulley
- Coully
- Couly
- Cowlay
- Cowley
- Cowlley
- Cowly
- Coyley
- Culey
- Cullay
- Culley
- Cully
- Culy
- Gahlay
- Gahley
- Gailey
- Gailly
- Gaily
- Galaiya
- Galey
- Gallay
- Galley
- Galloy
- Gally
- Galy
- Galya
- Gauley
- Gauly
- Gawley
- Gayley
- Ghaley
- Ghalley
- Ghaly
- Glay
- Gley
- Gloy
- Gly
- Goaley
- Golay
- Goley
- Golley
- Golly
- Goly
- Golya
- Gooley
- Gooly
- Goulay
- Gouley
- Gouly
- Gowley
- Gueilly
- Guilly
- Guley
- Gulley
- Gully
- Guly
- Gulya
- Kailay
- Kaily
- Kalaiya
- Kalay
- Kallay
- Kalli
- Kaloya
- Kaly
- Kalya
- Kawley
- Kawly
- Kealey
- Keall
- Kealley
- Keally
- Kealy
- Keel
- Keelay
- Keeley
- Keell
- Keelley
- Keelly
- Keely
- Keighley
- Keighly
- Keiley
- Keilley
- Keilly
- Keily
- Kel
- Kelay
- Kele
- Keleey
- Keles
- Keley
- Keli
- Kelie
- Kelioe
- Kell
- Kellay
- Kelles
- Kellia
- Kellick
- Kellie
- Kellis
- Kellly
- Kelloe
- Kells
- Kellyn
- Kellys
- Kelsley
- Keltley
- Kely
- Keuley
- Kewley
- Kewly
- Keyley
- Kheili
- Kieley
- Kiell
- Kielly
- Kiely
- Kiley
- Killay
- Kille
- Killey
- Killeya
- Killoy
- Killy
- Kily
- Klay
- Klaye
- Kley
- Kolay
- Koley
- Kolley
- Kolly
- Koly
- Kolya
- Kowley
- Kulawy
- Kulay
- Kuley
- Kully
- Kuly
- Kyley
- Quailey
- Qualey
- Qually
- Quealey
- Queally
- Quealy
- Queeley
- Queely
- Quiley
- Quilley
- Quilly
- Quley
- Khalli
- Keele
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.