O'Connell
A classic Irish surname meaning “descendant of Conall,” tied to an old Gaelic personal name that suggests strength or valor.
The #961 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 8,530 Americans shares it.
Etymology
O'Connell comes from the Irish Gaelic Ó Conaill, meaning “descendant of Conall.” The personal name Conall is usually explained as containing elements meaning “strong” or “mighty,” though exact ancient nuances are not always certain. The surname is therefore a clan-style patronymic identifying descent from an ancestor named Conall.
History
The name is strongly associated with Ireland, especially Munster, where the O'Connells became one of the best-known Gaelic families. In modern times the spelling without the apostrophe, OConnell, is also common in records and in some English-language usage. The surname is widely recognized through figures such as Daniel O'Connell, the 19th-century Irish political leader known as “The Liberator.”
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Daniel O'Connell was so prominent that the surname became closely linked in popular memory with Irish nationalism.