Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Connolly

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Connolly?

The surname Connolly is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name O'Connoláigh, which translates to "descendant of Conchobhar", a common personal name in Ireland. This name is associated with several different septs (clans) within Ireland, particularly those from County Mayo and County Cork. The name was borne by the powerful kings of Connacht in medieval times. The anglicized form "Connolly" became more widespread due to English influence on Irish names during the Tudor period.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Connolly

The meaning and origin of the last name Connolly

The surname Connolly is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name "Ó Conghalaigh" or "Mac Conghail." It originated from County Mayo, Ireland, where the name was common among the ancient chieftains and rulers. The original meaning of the name is not entirely clear, but it may be derived from the word "congall," which means "wolf of the spear." Over time, the surname has spread throughout Ireland and to other English-speaking countries due to migration, particularly during the 19th century. Today, Connolly is a relatively common name in Ireland, as well as in other parts of the world with a strong Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Geographical distribution of the last name Connolly

The Connolly surname, of Irish origin, is most prevalent in Ireland, particularly in counties such as Cork, Dublin, and Donegal, reflecting its strong historical connection to those regions. Outside of Ireland, significant concentrations of the Connolly name can be found in countries with a large Irish diaspora, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., cities like Boston and New York have high numbers of individuals bearing the Connolly surname due to Irish immigration during the 19th century. The name's geographical distribution thus reflects both Ireland's history and the dispersal of its diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Connolly

The surname Connolly is primarily of Irish origin, derived from various anglicized forms of the Gaelic name "O'Conaill" or "Mac Conmhaoil," which mean "descendant of Conall." Over time, several variations and spellings of the last name Connolly have emerged due to differences in transliteration and transcription:

* O'Connolly, MacConnaly, McConnell, McConnelly, and MacConally are phonetic variations that maintain the original Irish prefixes.
* The surname has also been anglicized as Connolly, Connelly, Connaly, Connalley, and Cunliffe (in some instances), which represent adaptations of the name to English-speaking countries.
* Furthermore, there are regional variations in spelling within Ireland itself, such as Connollye and Connolie, which can be found in certain areas.

These variations and spellings reflect the historical and cultural contexts in which Irish immigrants settled around the world, making it important for individuals researching their family history to consider multiple possibilities when searching for ancestors bearing this surname.

Famous people with the last name Connolly

Notable individuals with the surname Connolly include:

1. Brendan Behan (1923-1964), an Irish playwright and poet, best known for his plays "The Quare Fellow" and "The Hostage".

2. John Joseph Connolly (born 1957), a former FBI agent and author who wrote the Charlie Parker series of detective novels.

3. Declan Connolly (1940-2016), an Irish lawyer who served as Chief Justice of Ireland from 2011 to 2016.

4. Jimmy Connolly (1857-1927), a British labour leader and socialist, known for his role in the London Dock Strike of 1889.

5. Lenny Connolly (born 1953), an American professional wrestler who performed under various names such as The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff.

6. Maurice "Mick" Connolly (1920-1974), a British athlete who won three Olympic gold medals in the 1948 Summer Olympics.

7. Roddy Doyle (born 1958), an Irish author, best known for his Barrytown Trilogy and The Commitments novels. While not having Connolly as his last name, he is often associated with the name due to his family background.

Genealogical research on the last name Connolly

The Connolly surname is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic O Conaill, meaning 'descendant of Conall'. This sept originated from County Clare but spread throughout Ireland, particularly in Connacht and Ulster. Notable historical figures with the name include Art Ó Cearnaigh, King of Tír Eógain (modern County Tyrone), who was killed at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, and Art Mac Máele Sechlainn, High King of Ireland from 1186 to 1198. During the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, many Connollys emigrated from Ireland, particularly to the United States, Australia, and Canada. Today, the Connolly surname is most common in Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Variations of the name include Connelly, O'Connell, and O'Connally.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Conanan

Last name • surnames > conanan

The last name Conanan is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the word "kan-anan," which means "place to eat" in the Cebuano language.

#2 Conaty

Last name • surnames > conaty

The surname Conaty (also spelled Connolly, Connelly, or O'Connolly) is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Irish name Ó Conaill or Ó Conaillte, which translates as "descendant of Co...

#3 Concari

Last name • surnames > concari

The last name Concari is of Italian origin. It is most likely derived from the Italian word "conca," meaning bowl, basin, or hollow. This surname may have originally been used to d...

#4 Conceicao

Last name • surnames > conceicao

The surname Conceição has Portuguese origins. It is derived from the Portuguese word "conceição," which means "conception" or "immaculate conception." It is a common surname in...

#5 Conceição-dos-santos

Last name • surnames > conceicao-dos-santos

The last name "Conceição dos Santos" is a Portuguese surname that is often found in Brazil due to Portugal's historical influence in the country. The surname "Conceição" comes ...

#6 Conceicao-rocha

Last name • surnames > conceicao-rocha

The surname "Conceição-Rocha" is a Portuguese composite surname, consisting of two distinct elements: Conceição and Rocha. The surname Conceição is derived from the Latin wo...

#7 Concepcion-benavidez

Last name • surnames > concepcion-benavidez

The last name "Concepcion Benavidez" is of Spanish origin. "Concepcion" likely refers to the Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception, while "Benavidez" is a toponymic surname whic...

#8 Concepcion-deeb

Last name • surnames > concepcion-deeb

The last name "Concepcion Deeb" is of Spanish and Arabic origin. "Concepcion" is a Spanish name meaning "conception" or "fertilization," while "Deeb" is an Arabic name meaning "wol...

#9 Concern

Last name • surnames > concern

The last name "concern" derives from the Old French word "conceir," meaning "to relate to, connect with, have reference to." It likely originated as an occupational surname for som...

#10 Concessao

Last name • surnames > concessao

The last name Concessao is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the Portuguese word "concessão," meaning "concession" or "grant," and likely originated as a surname for someon...

#11 Concesso

Last name • surnames > concesso

The last name "concesso" is of Italian origin. It is likely derived from the Latin word "concessus," which means "permission" or "granted." This surname may have originated as a ni...

#12 Concha

Last name • surnames > concha

The last name "Concha" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "concha" which means "shell" or "seashell" in Spanish. The name might have originally been a nickname for s...

#13 Conchon

Last name • surnames > conchon

The last name Conchon is of French origin. It is derived from the French word "cochon," which means pig or swine. It is possible that the surname Conchon originally referred to som...

#14 Conci-macedo

Last name • surnames > conci-macedo

The last name Conci-Macedo is a combination of two distinct surnames, each having its own origin. The "Conci" part is an Italian surname. In Italy, most surnames originate from va...

#15 Concolato

Last name • surnames > concolato

The surname Concolato is of Italian origin. It is a variant of Concolo, which is derived from several possible sources. One possibility is that it comes from a medieval occupation ...