Connolly Family History

Irish and Manx: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Conghaile ‘descendant of Conghal’ a name meaning ‘hound valiant’ or of Ó Conghalaigh ‘descendant of Conghalach’ a derivative of Conghal; the two surnames have long been confused.

Anglicized Irish forms Conneely, Connealy, Cunneely have arisen where loss of gh has caused lengthening of the second syllable of Conghal: they often also (Connacht) represent shortened forms of McNeilly from Mac Conghaile.

Another possible origin is the West Cork name Mac Coingheallaigh (or Ó Coingheallaigh) ‘son (or descendant) of Coingheallach’ a personal name meaning ‘faithful to pledges’.

See McNeilly.