The Kelly surname is one of Ireland’s best-known and most widely distributed family names. It generally derives from the Irish Ó Ceallaigh, meaning a descendant of a person named Ceallach. The name developed independently in several parts of Ireland, so not every Kelly family belongs to the same ancestral line.
The most celebrated Kelly dynasty was associated with the ancient kingdom of Uí Maine, which extended across parts of present-day County Galway and County Roscommon. The Ó Ceallaigh chiefs played an important part in the political, religious and cultural history of medieval Ireland. Other distinct Kelly families were established elsewhere in the country.
Over the centuries, people bearing the Kelly name travelled throughout Britain, North America, Australia and many other parts of the world. Their descendants include political leaders, soldiers, athletes, artists, musicians and entertainers.
Arthur J. Kavanagh’s new paperback, KELLY SURNAME Origins, History and People, explores the origins of the name, the kingdom of Uí Maine, the principal Kelly families and many remarkable people who carried the surname.
The book will shortly be available from Amazon.