UK surname
Irish surname transferred from the Irish Gaelic personal name Conghalaigh meaning "descendant of Conghalach".
In the 1881 census there were 219 people recorded with the Conelly surname, ranking it #12,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #12,122 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Conelly is 279 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.1%.
1881 census count
219
Ranked #12,122
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
279 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Conelly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Conelly surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 224 | #9,534 |
| 1861 | historical | 279 | #8,979 |
| 1881 | historical | 219 | #12,122 |
| 1891 | historical | 180 | #16,143 |
| 1901 | historical | 215 | #14,478 |
| 1911 | historical | 69 | #25,965 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 30 | #34,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 24 | #35,552 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 30 | #35,871 |
| 2010 | modern | 29 | #36,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 32 | #35,831 |
| 2012 | modern | 26 | #36,166 |
| 2013 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 27 | #36,173 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Conelly surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Conelly, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Conelly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Conelly household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Conelly is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Conelly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Conelly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Conelly originates from Ireland, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name O'Conghalaigh, which means "descendant of Conghalach." Conghalach was a personal name derived from the Irish word conghal, meaning "valorous" or "brave."
The name can be traced back to County Donegal in Ulster, where the O'Conghalaigh clan was based. Early records mention the family as lords of the territory known as Connellagh, located near the town of Lifford. This area likely served as the basis for the anglicized form of the surname.
One of the earliest known references to the name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention a chieftain named Muircheartach O'Conghalaigh, who ruled over Connellagh in the late 14th century.
The Conelly surname is also found in various spellings in old manuscripts and documents, such as O'Connolly, Connelly, and Connolly. These variations arose from the translation of the original Gaelic name into English by scribes and record keepers.
One notable figure bearing the surname was Sir John Connelly (1568-1624), an Irish soldier and landowner who served in the Spanish Army of Flanders during the Eighty Years' War. He was knighted by King Philip III of Spain for his military service.
Another prominent individual was Owen Connolly (1615-1698), an Irish Catholic bishop who served as the Bishop of Raphoe from 1647 to 1698. He played a significant role in preserving the Catholic faith in Ireland during the period of Protestant ascendancy.
In the 18th century, Arthur Connolly (1740-1802) was an Irish-born soldier and adventurer who served in various military campaigns, including the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. He was known for his daring exploits and colorful life.
John Connolly (1750-1825) was an Irish-born American physician and statesman who served as the 12th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1808 to 1817. He played a crucial role in the development of the state's healthcare system and infrastructure.
Finally, James Brendan Connolly (1868-1957) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Bishop of Fall River, Massachusetts, from 1904 to 1949. He was a prominent figure in the Irish-American community and a champion of immigrant rights.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Conelly surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 39 Conellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.55x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 39 | 1.55x |
| Lanarkshire | 33 | 4.82x |
| Middlesex | 33 | 1.56x |
| Angus | 13 | 6.63x |
| Yorkshire | 13 | 0.62x |
| Durham | 11 | 1.75x |
| Staffordshire | 11 | 1.54x |
| Midlothian | 10 | 3.53x |
| Glamorgan | 9 | 2.44x |
| Clackmannanshire | 8 | 45.77x |
| Dunbartonshire | 7 | 12.31x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 1.59x |
| Argyllshire | 4 | 6.79x |
| Flintshire | 4 | 7.03x |
| Perthshire | 4 | 4.21x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 0.64x |
| Sussex | 3 | 0.84x |
| Dorset | 1 | 0.72x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.24x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.23x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.14x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.10x |
| Wigtownshire | 1 | 3.56x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 23 Conellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.92x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Conelly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 14 |
| Catherine | 4 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Ellen | 4 |
| Frances | 4 |
| Julia | 4 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Anne | 2 |
| Bridget | 2 |
| Margaret | 2 |
| (Mrs) | 1 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Betsy | 1 |
| Catharine | 1 |
| Cathrine | 1 |
| Elisabeth | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Honora | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Katy | 1 |
| Madge | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| Nellie | 1 |
| Rosanna | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Sarah | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Sushannah | 1 |
| Winniford | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Conelly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Conelly households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Labourer | 7 |
| Cook | 3 |
| Plasterer | 3 |
| Clerk At A Colliery | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Cotton Operative | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Hawker | 2 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 2 |
| Plasterer Lab | 2 |
| Postman | 2 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Cabinet Carver | 1 |
| Card Room Hand | 1 |
| Card Room Jobber | 1 |
| Clicker | 1 |
| Cloistered Nun | 1 |
| Coal Trimmer | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Dk Labourer | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Estate Agent | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Fireman (N Ry) | 1 |
| Fish Hawker | 1 |
| Footman | 1 |
| Formerly Housewife | 1 |
| Gardeners Lab (Dom) | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Groom (Nd) | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Ironworker Puddler | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laborer General | 1 |
| Labourer (Railway Works) | 1 |
| Labourer At Paper Works | 1 |
| Labourer In Iron Works | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Laundress Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Mill Hand Woollen | 1 |
| Miner (C) | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Office Caretaker | 1 |
| Office Cleaner | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 219 people were recorded with the Conelly surname. That placed it at #12,122 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Conelly a modern rank of #36,254.
Irish surname transferred from the Irish Gaelic personal name Conghalaigh meaning "descendant of Conghalach".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Conelly bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.