Surname O'Kelly - Meaning and Origin

O'Kelly: What does the surname O'Kelly mean?

The family name O'Kelly is of Irish origin. It is thought to have originated in the region of Leinster, particularly the county of Meath. The name originates from the Gaelic O'Ceallaigh, and is derived from ceallach, meaning 'warrior'. It has held many different spellings over the centuries, including O'Kellie, O'Kelli, and O’Kelly.

The O'Kellys of Meath originally plied their trade as smiths, although there were several prominent members of the family who served as knights and erenaghs, or Coarb of St. Patrick. During the 17th century, many of the O'Kellys left their native land for France, due to the political unrest that was occurring in the region at the time.

The O'Kellys have since dispersed across the world, to Australia, England and the United States. Today, the O'Kelly name is still used by many families, symbolizing the legacy of an intrepid and daring group of Irish people.

O'Kelly: Where does the name O'Kelly come from?

The last name O’Kelly is still quite common in Ireland today, particularly in the southern part of the country. O’Kelly is derived from the Irish name O’Ceallaigh, which means "descendant of Ceallach". The old Irish name Ceallach is believed to come from the word “ceall”, which means “war”.

O’Kelly is the 8th most popular surname in Ireland according to recent census data. Most Irish people with the last name O’Kelly can be found in the counties of Wicklow, Cork, Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford.

It is also common within families of Irish descent residing in other countries. Countries that have seen a notable growth in O’Kelly families in recent times include the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Due to the Irish diaspora, it is possible to encounter the O'Kelly family name anywhere throughout the world. The Irish have contributed significantly to many countries around the globe, including the United States where O’Kelly is the 583rd most common surname according to the 2000 United States Census. Consequently, it appears that the O’Kelly name continues to spread and will remain influential well into the future.

Variations of the surname O'Kelly

The surname O'Kelly is a well-known one in Irish history. It is an example of an Anglicized form of Gaelic "O Ceallaigh," a cognate of the Gaelic word ceallach, which means "strife" or "war." This surname has several variations in spelling including O'Kelley, O'Kelleigh, O'Kelleay, O'Kelleigh, O'Kelay, O'Kelley, O'Kelly, O'Kellet, O'Keele, O'Kell, O'Kellee.

The origins of the O'Kelly surname can be traced back centuries, to the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall Noígíallach, or Niall of the Nine Hostages. Niall's descendants, the Uí Néill, formed the majority of the O'Kelly surname in Ireland.

The O'Kelly surname is most commonly associated with the Irish province of Leinster. Leinster is home to many of Ireland's ancient clans, and was one of the first 326 families of Ireland, identified in the 15th century. In fact, the O'Kelly surname is believed to be the oldest surviving surname in Leinster, with records tracing back to the 12th century.

The O' Kelly name can also be found in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States and Australia, where the name was adopted by Irish immigrants who sailed in the 19th century. In the United States, the name is usually spelled as Kelley or Kelley, while in Australia it may be found as O'Kelley, O'Kelly or O'Kelleay.

Today, the surname O'Kelly can be found all over the world, with a variety of spellings and associations. From the ancient Irish High King, to today's immigrants, the O'Kelly family stands as testament to centuries of Irish history.

Famous people with the name O'Kelly

• James O'Kelly, the founder of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
• Mick O'Kelly, an Irish Gaelic footballer.
• Darby O'Kelley, an American football coach.
• John O'Kelly, a former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
• Pat O'Kelly, an Irishsted winemaker and member of the Beringer Blass Wine Estates empire.
• Ben O'Kelly, an American actor and musician.
• Seamus O'Kelly, an Irish sculptor.
• Tara O'Kelly, an Irish television presenter.
• Derek O'Kelly, a former Irish cabinet minister.
• Sean O'Kelly, a former President of Ireland.
• Callum O'Kelly, an Australian rugby league player.
• Thomas E. O'Kelly, a former United States Army Major General and Medal of Honor recipient.
• Harry O'Kelly, an English football striker.
• Patrick O'Kelly, a professional American golfer.
• Margaret O'Kelly, an Irish soprano.
• Marie O' Kelly, a British actress.
• Seosamh O' Kelly, an Irish archaeologist.
• Eamon O'Kelly, a former Irish speaker.
• Aimee O'Kelly, an Irish netball player.
• Breffni O'Kelly, an Irish cricketer.

Other surnames

O'kelley