Kelly ( surname ) - wikipedia Kelly ( surname ) For other uses, see Kelly. Kelly Pronunciation / ˈkɛli / Language ( s ) English Origin Language ( s ) 1. Irish 2. English Other names See also Kelly ( given name ) O'Kelly Families Clan Kelly ( Scotland ) ; Kelly family of Uí Maine ( Ireland ) Map of medieval Gaelic Ireland showing the location of Ulaid circa 900 A.D. Kelly / ˈkɛli / is a surname in the English language. The name has numerous origins. In some cases it is derived from toponyms located in Ireland and Great Britain, in other cases it is derived from patronyms in the Irish language. Contents 1 Etymology 2 Prevalence 3 People with the surname 3.1 A -- I 3.2 J -- M 3.3 N -- Z 3.4 O'Kelly 3.5 Kelley 4 References Etymology In many cases Kelly is an Anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh ( IPA ( oːˈcal̪ɣiː ) ), which means `` descendant of Ceallach '' or it can also mean warrior or fighter. The personal name Ceallach has been thought to mean `` white - headed '', but the current understanding is that the name means `` frequenting churches '', derived from the Irish ceall. In other cases the surname Kelly is an Anglicisation of the Irish Ó Cadhla, which means `` descendant of Cadhla ''. The O'Kelly or Kelly of the Clan Brasil Mac Coolechan originated as a chieftain clan of the Ulaid. The surname can also be derived from several place names. For example, the surname can be derived from two places in Scotland : Kelly, near Arbroath ; and Kellie, in Fife. The surname can also be derived from a place name in England : Kelly, in Devon. This place name is derived from the Cornish celli, meaning `` wood '' or `` grove ''. Prevalence The surname is one of the most prevalent surnames in Ireland. It is also very common in Galloway, and the Isle of Man. The name O'Kelly, Kelly, Kelley, Kellie and the Gaelic form O'Ceallaigh, is the most common surname in Ireland. There are approximately half a million people worldwide who bear this name. Up until the 10th century surnames were not used in Ireland. The name O'Kelly did not spring from a single source, but arose independently in several areas in Ireland, also in Scotland and the Isle of Man and in England. In other areas, notably in Cornwall, Isle of Man and probably in Antrim, the name Kelly arose from Celli, meaning man of the woods. People with the surname A -- I Amanda Kelly ( born 1982 ), Scottish kickboxer Amethyst Kelly ( born 1990 ), Australian rapper known as Iggy Azalea Archie Kelly ( 1921 - 2005 ), Scottish footballer Arvesta Kelly ( born 1945 ), American basketball player Autumn Kelly ( born 1978 ), wife of Peter Phillips, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II Benedictus Marwood Kelly ( 1785 -- 1867 ), British naval officer Bernard Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Bernie Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Brian Kelly ( actor ) ( 1931 -- 2005 ), American actor Brian Kelly ( American football coach ) ( born 1961 ), American football coach Brigit Pegeen Kelly ( born 1951 ), American poet Barbara Kelly ( 1924 -- 2007 ), Canadian - born English actress Charles E. Kelly ( soldier ) ( 1920 -- 1985 ), American soldier Charles E. Kelly ( cartoonist ) ( 1902 -- 1981 ), Irish cartoonist Charles L. Kelly ( 1925 - 1964 ), US Army helicopter pilot Charlie Kelly ( disambiguation ), multiple people Chip Kelly ( born 1963 ), American football coach Claire Kelly ( 1934 -- 1998 ), American actress Clare Kelly ( 1922 -- 2001 ), English actress Colin Kelly ( 1915 -- 1941 ), World War II ace pilot Craig Kelly ( actor ) ( born 1970 ), British actor Darren Kelly ( born 1978 ), Northern Irish footballer Dave Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people David Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Dean Lennox Kelly ( born 1975 ), British actor De-Anne Kelly ( born 1954 ), Australian politician Des Kelly ( born 1965 ), British journalist Don Kelly ( baseball ) ( born 1980 ), American professional baseball player Eamon Kelly ( actor ) ( 1914 -- 2001 ), Irish actor and author Edward Kelly ( disambiguation ) Ellsworth Kelly ( 1923 -- 2015 ), American painter and sculptor Emmett Kelly ( 1898 -- 1979 ), American circus performer Eric P. Kelly ( 1884 -- 1960 ), American author Eugene Kelly ( born 1965 ), Scottish musician Fitzroy Kelly ( 1796 -- 1880 ), British judge Florence Finch Kelly ( 1858 -- 1939 ), American journalist and novelist Francis Kelly ( Canadian politician ) ( 1803 -- 1879 ) Francis Kelly ( Medal of Honor ) ( 1860 -- 1938 ), American sailor Frank Kelly ( disambiguation ) Frederick Kelly ( disambiguation ) Gene Kelly ( 1912 - 1996 ), American actor George Kelly ( baseball ) ( 1895 -- 1984 ), American baseball player George `` Machine Gun '' Kelly ( 1895 -- 1954 ), American gangster George Kelly ( musician ), American George Kelly ( psychologist ) ( 1905 -- 1967 ), American psychologist George Kelly ( playwright ), American playwright and uncle of Princess Grace Gerry Kelly ( broadcaster ), Ulster Television presenter Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin politician Grace Kelly ( 1929 -- 1982 ), American film actress, Princess of Monaco Graham Kelly ( football ) ( born c. 1945 ), English football administrator, formerly of The Football Association and The Football League Guy E. Kelly, American politician Harry Kelly ( politician ) ( 1895 -- 1971 ), Governor of Michigan Helen Kelly ( trade unionist ) ( 1964 -- 2016 ), New Zealand trade unionist Henry Kelly ( born 1946 ), Irish television presenter Henry Kelly ( VC ), Irish Victoria Cross recipient Hugh Kelly ( poet ) ( 1739 -- 1777 ), Irish dramatist and poet Hughie Kelly ( 1923 -- 2009 ), Scottish international footballer Hugh Kelly ( goalkeeper ) ( 1919 -- 1977 ), Northern Irish international footballer Hugh Craine Kelly ( 1848 -- 1891 ), farmer and MHA in South Australia J -- m Jack Kelly ( actor ) ( 1927 - 1992 ), American actor Jackie Kelly ( born 1964 ), Australian politician James Kelly ( Irish captain ) ( 1929 -- 2003 ), Irish army officer James Kelly ( U.S. representative ) ( 1760 -- 1819 ), U.S. politician James A. Kelly ( born 1936 ), U.S. politician James Butler Knill Kelly ( 1832 -- 1907 ), Scottish - born Canadian Anglican bishop, later Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church James K. Kelly ( 1819 - 1903 ), American senator James M. Kelly ( astronaut ) ( born 1964 ), American astronaut James M. Kelly ( Maryland politician ) ( born 1960 ), American James Patrick Kelly ( born 1951 ), American science fiction author James Plunkett Kelly ( 1920 -- 2003 ), Irish writer, author of Strumpet City Jane Louise Kelly, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Janis Kelly ( born 1971 ), Canadian volleyball player Jean - Baptiste Kelly ( 1783 -- 1854 ), Canadian vicar - general Jean Louisa Kelly ( born 1972 ), American actress Jill Kelly ( actress ) ( born 1971 ), American pornographic actress Jim `` Spider '' Kelly ( 1912 -- ? ), Northern Irish boxer of the 1920s, ' 30s and ' 40s Jim Kelly ( born 1960 ), American football quarterback Jimmy Kelly ( American football ), NFL player Jo Ann Kelly ( 1944 -- 1990 ), English blues singer and guitarist Joanne Kelly ( born 1980 ), Canadian actress Joe Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Joseph Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people John Kelly ( architect ) ( 1840 -- 1904 ) John Robert Kelly ( 1849 -- 1919 ), politician in South Australia, farmer in SA then Queensland. Joe Kelly ( racing driver ), Formula 1 driver in the 1950 & 1951 British Grand Prix. John B. Kelly Sr., Olympic medaling rower ; father of Grace Kelly and John B. Kelly Jr. John B. Kelly Jr., aka Jack Kelly, Olympic medaling rower, politician, president of the US Olympic Committee John F. Kelly, current Trump administration Chief of Staff John Larry Kelly, Jr, Bell Labs scientist who formulated the Kelly criterion John Melville Kelly ( 1877 -- 1962 ), American artist John Norman Davidson Kelly ( 1909 -- 1997 ), theologian and principal of St Edmund Hall, Oxford University Johnny Kelly ( born 1968 ), American musician Karen Kelly Irish camogie player Kate Kelly ( disambiguation ) Katherine Kelly ( actress ), English actress, best known as Becky McDonald in Coronation Street Kathy Kelly, pacifist Kelly Kelly, ring name of American professional wrestler Barbara Blank ( born 1987 ) Ken Kelly ( disambiguation ) Kevin Kelly ( editor ), Executive editor of Wired Kevin T. Kelly ( born 1960 ), American Postmodern Pop Artist Kieran Kelly ( disambiguation ) King Kelly ( 1857 -- 1894 ), American baseball player Klesie Kelly, American soprano Lee Charles Kelley, American dog trainer and mystery novelist. Leonard `` Red '' Kelly ( born 1927 ), Canadian hockey player and politician Lisa Kelly ( born 1977 ), Irish singer ( Celtic Woman soloist ) Lisa Kelly ( Ice Road Trucker ), television personality Lisa Robin Kelly ( 1975 -- 2013 ), American actress Lorraine Kelly, Scottish television presenter Luke Kelly ( 1940 -- 1984 ), Irish singer and folk musician Luke Kelly ( rugby league ) ( born 1989 ), Australian rugby league player Lynne Kelly ( science writer ) ( born 1951 ), Australian writer Maeve Kelly ( born 1930 ), Irish writer Marcia Kelly ( born 1970 ), convicted American murderer Mark Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Martin Kelly, English footballer, currently playing for Crystal Palace Mary Kelly ( artist ) ( born 1941 ), American artist and writer Mary Jane Kelly ( c. 1863 -- 1888 ), British prostitute and victim of Jack the Ripper Matthew Kelly ( born 1950 ), British television presenter Matthew Kelly ( musician ), American rock musician Megyn Kelly ( born 1970 ), American newscaster Melissa R. Kelly ( born 1962 ), Maryland ( USA ) politician Michael Kelly ( physicist ), New Zealand - British physicist Michael Kelly ( tenor ) ( 1762 -- 1826 ), Irish actor, singer and composer Michael Kelly ( bishop ), fourth Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Michael Kelly ( sport shooter ) ( born 1872 ), American Olympic sport shooter Michael Kelly ( editor ), American writer and editor Michael Kelly ( Lord Provost ), former Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow and businessman Michael Kelly ( American actor ), American actor featured in Dawn of the Dead ( 2004 ) Michael Eugene Kelly, automotive manufacturing entrepreneur and investment holding businessman Mike Kelly ( journalist ), contemporary American journalist Mike Kelly ( footballer, born 1942 ) ( born 1942 ), English football goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly ( outfielder ) ( born 1970 ), baseball outfielder Mike Kelly ( Australian politician ), contemporary Australian politician Minka Kelly, American actress Moira Kelly, American actress N -- Z Nancy Kelly ( 1921 -- 1995 ), American actress Natália Kelly ( born 1994 ), Austrian singer Ned Kelly ( c. 1854 -- 1880 ), Australian outlaw Neil Kelly, British rugby league footballer and coach Noel Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Pat Kelly ( trade unionist ) ( 1929 -- 2004 ), New Zealand trade unionist Patrick Kelly ( disambiguation ) Paul Kelly ( journalist ), Australian Paul Kelly ( musician ) ( born 1955 ), Australian singer and songwriter Paul Kelly ( footballer ), Australian Petra Kelly ( 1947 -- 1992 ), co-founder of German Green Party Richard Kelly ( director ) ( born 1975 ), American Richard Kelly ( politician ) ( 1924 -- 2005 ), American Rick Kelly ( born 1983 ), Australian racing driver Robert Kelly ( poet ) ( born 1935 ), American poet Robert Kelly ( politician ) ( 1845 -- 1920 ), MHA of South Australia Robert Sylvester Kelly ( born 1967 ), American singer - songwriter and record producer better known by his stage name R. Kelly Ruth Kelly ( born 1968 ), British politician Ryan Kelly ( disambiguation ) Scott Kelly ( disambiguation ), several people Sean Kelly ( cyclist ) ( born 1956 ), Irish Stuart Kelly ( rugby league ) ( born 1976 ), Australian rugby league player Stuart Kelly ( footballer ) ( born 1981 ), Scottish footballer Stuart Kelly ( literary critic ), Scottish critic and author Sue W. Kelly ( born 1936 ), American politician T.C. Kelly ( 1917 -- 1985 ), Irish composer The Kelly Family, European - American musicians Thomas Kelly ( cricketer ) Thomas Kelly ( Medal of Honor ), American Medal of Honor recipient Thomas C. Kelly, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky Thomas Forrest Kelly ( born 1943 ), American musicologist Thomas J. Kelly ( Irish nationalist ) Thomas J. Kelly ( Medal of Honor ), American Medal of Honor recipient Thomas R. Kelly, Quaker mystic Todd Kelly ( born 1979 ), Australian racing driver Tom Kelly ( baseball ) ( born 1950 ), manager of the American baseball team the Minnesota Twins Tom Kelly ( engineer ) ( 1932 -- 2004 ), American aerospace engineer Tom Kelly ( Gaelic football ), footballer Tom Kelly ( Ireland ), media commentator and member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland Tom Kelly ( musician ), American songwriter Tommy Kelly ( actor ) ( 1925 -- 2016 ), American child actor Ty Kelly ( born 1988 ), American baseball player Van Kelly, baseball player Walt Kelly ( 1913 -- 1973 ), American cartoonist Walter F. Kelly ( 1874 -- 1961 ), American college sports coach William Kelly ( inventor ) ( 1811 -- 1888 ), American William Kelly ( senator ) ( 1786 -- 1834 ), American William Kelly ( Guernsey and Blackheath ), member of the Plymouth Brethren William Osmund Kelly, Flint, Michigan Mayor, 1940 -- 44 William W.J. Kelly, Lieutenant Governor of Florida, 1865 -- 68 Wynton Kelly ( 1931 -- 1971 ), Jamaican - born jazz pianist O'Kelly Albéric O'Kelly de Galway ( 1911 -- 1980 ), Belgian chess grandmaster Aloysius O'Kelly ( 1853 -- 1936 ), Irish painter, brother of James Joseph O'Kelly Christopher O'Kelly ( 1895 -- 1922 ), Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross Don O'Kelly ( 1924 -- 1966 ), American actor Gabriel O'Kelly ( died 1731 ), Bishop of Elphin from 1718 to 1731 James Joseph O'Kelly ( 1845 -- 1916 ), Irish politician John J. O'Kelly ( 1872 -- 1957 ), Irish politician Joseph O'Kelly ( 1828 -- 1885 ), Franco - Irish composer, and his brothers Auguste ( 1829 -- 1900 ) and George ( 1831 -- 1914 ) Malcolm O'Kelly ( born 1974 ), Irish rugby player Seán T. O'Kelly ( 1882 -- 1966 ), second President of Ireland Seumas O'Kelly ( 1881 -- 1918 ), Irish writer Kelley Abby Kelley ( 1811 -- 1887 ), Quaker abolitionist and social reformer ; mentor of Susan B. Anthony Alton Kelley an American artist Ann Kelley, British writer Augustine B. Kelley ( 1883 -- 1957 ), US Congressman from Pennsylvania Brian Kelley ( disambiguation ), several people Charles Kelley, musician Clarence M. Kelley ( 1911 -- 1977 ) David Kelley ( born 1949 ), American objectivist philosopher David E. Kelley ( born 1956 ), American television writer and producer Dean M. Kelley ( 1927 -- 1977 ), American author and religious freedom advocate DeForest Kelley ( 1920 -- 1999 ), actor, famous for Star Trek Devin Kelley ( born 1986 ), American actress Edward Kelley ( 1555 -- 1597 ), alchemist and spirit medium, possible creator of Enochian Florence Kelley ( 1859 -- 1932 ), social / consumer safety / civil rights activist Francis Kelley ( 1870 -- 1948 ), American Roman Catholic Bishop Geoffrey Kelley ( born 1955 ), Canadian politician Harold Kelley, psychologist Harold Kelley ( rugby league ), Australian rugby league footballer Homer Kelley ( 1907 -- 1983 ), American golf instructor Ike Kelley ( born 1944 ), American football player Honora Kelley ( 1857 -- 1938 ), American female serial killer Jack Kelley ( journalist ), disgraced American journalist Jacquelyn Kelley ( 1926 -- 1988 ), All - American Girls Professional Baseball League James H. `` Dog '' Kelley ( 1833 -- 1912 ), mayor of Dodge City, Kansas, from 1877 to 1881 Jill Kelley ( born 1975 ), American socialite and volunteer military liaison ; connected with 2012 scandals involving Generals David Petraeus and John R. Allen, as well as the FBI Joseph James Kelley ( 1871 -- 1943 ), American baseball player John L. Kelley ( 1916 -- 1999 ), mathematician Johnny Kelley ( 1907 -- 2004 ), American long - distance runner Josh Kelley, singer / songwriter Ken Kelley ( born 1960 ), American football player Kevin Kelley ( boxer ) Kevin Daniel Kelley, American drummer with The Byrds Kitty Kelley ( born 1942 ), American journalist and author Lee Charles Kelley ( born 1951 ), American mystery novelist and dog trainer Mike Kelley ( artist ) ( 1954 -- 2012 ), American artist Mike Kelley ( baseball ) ( 1875 -- 1955 ), American baseball player and manager in the minor leagues Mike Kelley ( American football ), American football quarterback for San Diego Chargers Mikey Kelley ( born 1973 ), American voice actor Oliver Hudson Kelley ( 1826 -- 1913 ) Paul X. Kelley ( born 1928 ), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Peter Kelley ( born 1974 ), American weightlifter Robert Kelley ( born 1992 ), American football running back Sheila Kelley ( American actress ) Actress, founder of S - Factor, granddaughter of senator Augustine B. Kelley Thomas Kelley ( author ) Vince Kelley ( born 1962 ), American / Australian basketball player William `` Pig - Iron '' Kelley ( 1814 -- 1890 ), Quaker abolitionist, US Congressman from Pennsylvania References Jump up ^ Learn about the family history of your surname, Ancestry.com, retrieved 17 December 2010, which cited : Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0 - 19 - 508137 - 4, for the surnames `` Kelly ''. Jump up ^ Ó Cadhla, Library Ireland ( www.libraryireland.com ), retrieved 15 December 2010 which is a transcription of : Woulfe, Patrick ( 1923 ), Irish Names and Surnames Jump up ^ John O'Hart, Irish Pedigrees ; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 5th edition, in two volumes, originally published in Dublin in 1892, reprinted, Baltimore : Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976, Vol. 1, p 820 ^ Jump up to : Reaney, Percy Hilde ; Wilson, Richard Middlewood ( 2006 ), A Dictionary of English Surnames ( 3rd ed. ), London : Routledge, p. 1820, ISBN 0 - 203 - 99355 - 1. Jump up ^ http://www.kellyclanireland.com This page lists people with the surname Kelly. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person 's given name ( s ) to the link. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kelly_(surname)&oldid=800481638 '' Categories : Surnames Anglicised Irish - language surnames Gaelic - language surnames Irish - language surnames Cornish - language surnames English - language surnames Irish families Patronymic surnames Surnames of Irish origin Toponymic surnames Hidden categories : All set index articles Use dmy dates from January 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Bân - lâm - gú Čeština Deutsch Esperanto Lietuvių Slovenščina Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 13 September 2017, at 20 : 31. About Wikipedia

Question: where does the last name kelly originate from
Answer: numerous origins