Connolly
An Irish surname that usually comes from Gaelic names meaning “descendant of Conall.”
The #1,190 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 10,392 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Connolly is an anglicized Irish surname most commonly traced to Gaelic forms such as Mac Conaola and related spellings, built on the personal name Conall. The old name Conall is usually explained as combining words for “hound” and “valour,” giving a sense like “strong hound” or “wolf-hound.” In older sources, Connolly is also sometimes grouped with other Irish surnames that show similar Gaelic spellings and regional forms, which is why several variants exist.
History
The name is found chiefly in Ireland, especially in Ulster and Connacht, and later spread widely through emigration. Historical records show many spellings and local forms, with Connolly and Connelly often used interchangeably in some districts. The surname is now common in Ireland and among Irish-descended families in Britain, North America, and Australia.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
19th-century Irish surname collectors often noted that Connolly and Connelly could be written interchangeably for the same family in some places.
From the historical record
“319 CONNOLLY. Climons. Coogan. Cooken. [Goggin]. 397. [Comiskey]. 153 Conally.”
— Varieties and Synonymes of Surnames and Christian Names in Ireland