Surname Kennelley - Meaning and Origin

Kennelley: What does the surname Kennelley mean?

The surname Kennelley is of Irish origin and is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "O Cinnfhaoladh," which translates to "descendant of Cinnfhaoladh." The name "Cinnfhaoladh" itself can be broken down into two components - "cinn," which means "head," and "faoladh," which translates to "wolf". Therefore, the name Kennelley may carry the meaning "descendant of the wolf's head." This could potentially signify leadership, power, and strength, considering that wolves, particularly the head or leader of the pack, are known for these attributes. However, it's also possible that the name referred to an ancestor who had wolf-like characteristics, either physically or in terms of their personality. Like many surnames, the exact meaning can vary based on different branches of the family and the historical context.

Kennelley: Where does the name Kennelley come from?

The surname Kennelley is Irish in origin, derived from the Gaelic "O Cinneide," which is often translated as "ugly head" or "wounded head". This surname was first found in County Tipperary, a county in Ireland. It's a variant of the names Kennedy and Kenneally. People with this surname share a common ancestor with the O'Kennedys, an important Dál gCais family who were kings and lords in Ormond—an area in north Munster, an ancient province of Ireland. Today, the name Kennelley can be found in countries where there has been significant Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Australia and Canada. Despite its dispersion, it is not a common surname. The majority of people bearing this surname are likely to be found in Ireland, particularly in and around the regions associated with the Kennedy clan in Munster.

Variations of the surname Kennelley

The surname Kennelley is of Irish origin and more commonly found in the Western parts of Ireland. It is considered a variant of the more common surname "Kenelly". There are a number of different spellings and related surnames associated with Kennelley, which might be due to the differences in phonetic transcription when the name was Anglicised.

These variants and similar surnames include Kenneally, Kennealy, Kennelly, Kenelly, Kenley, Kennley, Kenealy, Kinelly, and Kinnelly. Moreover, less obvious relations might include names such as O'Kennelly and O'Kennaley, which bear the Irish prefix O', meaning "descendant of".

Other variations can be created by adding or removing the letters 'e', 'n', or 'l', lengthening or shortening the name, or changing the ending to '-y' instead of '-ey'.- Connelly, Kanelli, Kennley, Kennely, Kenley, can all be related.

It's important to keep in mind that due to these many variations, tracing the genealogy of families with this surname might get complex. Also remember, not everyone with similar sounding names might be blood-related, as names can be formed due to regional, linguistic, or personal preferences, sometimes with no genealogical relations.

Famous people with the name Kennelley

• Tracey Kennelley: Canadian television presenter and television producer.
• Joe Kennelley: former American football offensive lineman.
• Mollie Kennelley: American actress and model.
• Kip Kennelley: Writer, Producer, and Academy Award Winner.
• Diane Keaton: American actress, director, producer, and writer originally named Diane Hall Kennelley.
• Christopher Kennelley: Former professional American football player.
• Stephen Kennelley: American actor and producer.
• Randy Kennelley: former professional American football player.
• Bobby Kennelley: former professional American football player.
• Jacob Kennelley: Australian DJ and producer.
• William Kennelley: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Mack Kennelley: American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Mr Fantastic: hip hop artist whose stage name is Kennelley.
• AJ Kennelley: British actress, producer, and screenwriter.
• David Kennelley: British actor, director, and producer.
• Bill Kennelley: British choreographer and dancer.
• George Kennelley: Australian actor, director, and producer.
• Chanty Kennelley: American fashion model.
• Ged Kennelley: British singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
• Bill Kennelley: Canadian broadcaster, author, and journalist.

Other surnames

KennellanKennelly