Kelleher
An Irish surname, usually understood as a reduced Anglicized form of an older Gaelic name.
The #3,663 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 31,784 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Kelleher is an Anglicized Irish surname. The older Gaelic form is usually given as Ó Ceileachair, meaning a descendant of Ceileachar; the personal name itself is commonly explained as based on a word for a companion, associate, or fellow. Older spellings and related forms in the sources include O'Kelliher, Kelliher, Kellegher, and Keliher.
History
The surname is especially associated with Ireland, and modern bearers are often found in Munster, particularly County Cork and nearby areas. 19th- and early-20th-century Irish surname writers record it among established Irish family names, with variant spellings reflecting English attempts to render the Gaelic pronunciation. In the United States it is present but relatively uncommon, consistent with Irish diaspora migration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older Irish surname indexes list Kelleher alongside several close spelling variants, showing how fluid the name was before spelling became standardized.
From the historical record
“6 CeilcACAifi, O'Kelliher, Kel- legher, Kelleher, Kelliher, Keller, etc. 0 C6in, Kean, Keane. 0 CeitiTi^i'oiT), 0 Ceinn6iX)i5,”
— Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish names and surnames