Surname Keeley - Meaning and Origin

Keeley: What does the surname Keeley mean?

The last name Keeley is of Irish origin and is Anglicized from the Gaelic "O Caollaidhe," which is derived from the word "caol," meaning "slender." This is a common surname, most likely found in County Kerry, where it originates.

The best-known Irish form of this surname is that of Tiernan O'Keeley, who was a prominent 19th-century dramatist. Additionally, the Keeley family was prominent during the 1798 rebellion in Ireland; a number of the members of the family participated in the revolt, and some even made their names in Irish politics afterwards.

Beyond its Irish origins, the last name has been carried to other parts of the world, where descendants of Irish immigrants have kept the name. The surname has been seen in England, Canada, and the United States, among other places.

The surname Keeley is still quite common in Ireland today. It is a reminder of the family’s long heritage and of the important role that the family members played in Irish history and culture. It can also serve as a marker of Irish heritage for those who carry the name in other parts of the world, as it is likely that the surname can be traced back to the Emerald Isle.

Keeley: Where does the name Keeley come from?

The last name Keeley is most commonly found in English speaking countries, particularly those of British and Irish origin. While relatively rare in comparison to many other English surnames, it is particularly common in some specific parts of the world.

Within England, the name is most strongly concentrated in the North and South West regions. The South West is especially notable for having the highest concentration of Keeleys in the country. Here, in County Cornwall it is the 30th most popular surname.

In Ireland, Keeley is a relatively popular name. Here it is concentrated in the Northern Irish counties of Antrim, Down and Londonderry. It ranks as the 53rd most popular surname in Northern Ireland. Among the other countries of the British Isles, it is found mainly in Scotland and Wales, where it is relatively uncommon.

In the United States, the Keeley family name is most common in the Midwestern states of Illinois and Ohio, where it is generally found quite widely. The name is also found in more than 20 other U.S. states with the most common locations being California, New Jersey and Florida.

Within Canada, Keely is found in most provinces, particularly in the country's English speaking areas. It is not particularly common, though it does rank in the top 500 in some provinces including Ontario, where it is the 392nd most popular surname.

Variations of the surname Keeley

Keeley is an old surname that has been used for centuries in the British Isles. It first appears in records as early as the 11th Century and is generally regarded as being of medieval Irish origin. The exact meaning of the name is unknown, but it could be derived from an Irish name, or it could be a corruption of an Old English word meaning ‘warrior’.

In the modern day, the surname Keeley is most commonly seen in Britain, Ireland and the United States. It is also found with several spelling variations, including Kealey, Kele, Keelys, Keleys, Kealy and Kiely.

Some variants of the surname can be found with a double ‘e’, such as Keelly, or with a double ‘l’, such as Kelleley. There are also a number of less common alternative spellings, such as Keal, Keyeley, Keelye and Keelya, that have been documented for the surname in different parts of the world.

In addition, there are some surnames of similar origin that are often confused with Keeley. These include Keely, Kealy, Keilly, Keevil and Keeler.

Finally, a number of hyphenated surnames derived from Keeley have been documented, including Cusack-Keeley, Redmond-Keeley and Davern-Keeley.

Famous people with the name Keeley

• Laura Keeley: American actress best known for her role in the Netflix series House of Cards.
• Kelly Keeley: Irish actor and director, multiple awards for short films.
• James Keeley: British actor notable for his roles in the films Left Behind and Clandestine.
• Charles Keeley: English theatre director and actor, performed in many renowned theatres in London.
• Pauline Keeley: American actress and businesswoman, most well-known for Hollywood roles in the 2000s.
• Alison Keeley: Canadian actress, most well-known for her roles in horror films.
• Donna Keeley: Scottish dancer and choreographer, highlighted for her work with communities impacted by disease and poverty.
• Anne Keeley: Irish television actress, most well-known for her roles in Irish television series.
• Steve Keeley: American television reporter and anchor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Sheila Keeley: English actress and singer mainly in musical theatre, dubbed as "New Queen of Show Business".

Other surnames

Keeler