KELLY
Kelly is a surname of Gaelic origin that is widely encountered throughout the British Isles, particularly in Ireland. The name belongs to the Celtic linguistic and cultural tradition and is historically associated with Christian communities.
The Irish form of the name is Ó Ceallaigh, a patronymic indicating “descendant of Ceallach”. The personal by‑name Ceallach is interpreted as “bright‑headed” or, alternately, as “warrior”, “strife” or “contention”. Consequently, the surname has been linked in folk tradition with qualities such as bravery, strength and leadership.
In the medieval period the principal Kelly clan formed part of the Ui Maine federation, whose lands lay in mid‑Galway and south Roscommon. The chieftain O’Ceallaigh, recorded around 1351, was noted as a patron of the arts. The senior representative of the family, known as O’Kelly of Gallagh, is officially recognised as the “chief of the name”. Notable descendants include the actress Grace Kelly, who, although later associated with Monaco, traced her ancestry to this Irish stock.
Beyond its Irish roots, the surname may also derive from locational sources. An English origin is recorded in Devonshire, where a place called “Kelli” appears in the 1194 Pipe Rolls; the toponym is thought to stem from the Welsh/Cornish *celli* meaning “grove”. A Scottish origin is likewise possible, referring to lands named Kelly near Arbroath in Angus, the name being derived from the Gaelic element *coille* “wood or grove”. Early documentary evidence includes Warin de Kelly (1194, Pipe Rolls of Devonshire) and John de Kelly, abbot of Arbroath in 1373.
Through the extensive Irish emigration of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the surname Kelly became common worldwide. Its bearers continue to be associated with the historic virtues of leadership and resilience that the original Gaelic meaning evoked.
Typical given names associated with the Kelly surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Joanne
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Caley
- Kelley
- Kalley
- Kaley
- Kailey
- Kallie
- Kall
- Kalie
- Cally
- Cailly
- Kally
- Kaly
- Kaeley
- Kaily
- Kell
- Kella
- Kalli
- Kayley
- Kealey
- Keall
- Kealley
- Keally
- Kealy
- Keeley
- Keelley
- Keelly
- Keely
- Keighly
- Keiley
- Keilley
- Keilly
- Keily
- Kel
- Kelay
- Keley
- Keli
- Kelie
- Kellay
- Kelle
- Kellia
- Kellie
- Kellis
- Kellly
- Kells
- Kellyn
- Kellys
- Kely
- Keyley
- Kieley
- Kiell
- Kielly
- Kiely
- Kalya
- Keal
- Keel
- Keelay
- Keell
- Kehl
- Keighley
- Keil
- Keill
- Kele
- Kelles
- Kellick
- Kello
- Khalli
- Kheili
- Kiley
- Kill
- Kily
- Kyll
- Cloy
- Coley
- Colley
- Gailey
- Kellow
- Killey
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Kelly in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Kelly are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 95,286 people named Kelly in the UK. That makes it the 58th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,463 in a million people in Britain are named Kelly.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Kelly
- Minka Kelly - US actress
- Katherine Kelly - Actress
- R. Kelly - American singer, record producer, songwriter, actor and basketball player from Illinois
- Grace Kelly - American actress and Princess consort of Monaco (1929 to 1982)
- Megyn Kelly - American reporter
- Lorraine Kelly - Broadcaster
- Sam Kelly - Actor (1943 to 2014)
- Lisa Robin Kelly - American film and television actress (1970 to 2013)
- Matthew Kelly - Television presenter
- Ned Kelly - Australian bushranger (1855 to 1880)
- Amethyst Amelia Kelly - Australian rapper
- Josh Kelly - Boxer
- David Kelly - Weapons expert (1944 to 2003)
- Dennis Kelly - Screenwriter
- Gene Kelly - American dancer, actor, singer, director, producer and choreographer (1912 to 1996)
- Martin Kelly - Football player
- Rose Edith Kelly - Thelemite (1874 to 1932)
- Craig Kelly - Actor
- Moira Kelly - American actress
- Henry Kelly - Irish DJ
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.