Last Name Connolly

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

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Connolly"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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 : 27 July 2025