Donnelly surname: meaning and origin
Donnelly means descendant of Donnghal, meaning brown valour. It is a native Gaelic Irish family from Tyrone.
| Irish form | Ó Donnghaile |
|---|---|
| Meaning | descendant of Donnghal, meaning brown valour |
| Home region | Tyrone (Ulster) |
| Origin | Gaelic |
| Variants | O'Donnelly |
History of the Donnelly name
The Donnellys were a Tyrone family of Cenél Eoghain, and the name is still most common in mid-Ulster.
More surnames from Ulster
- BoyleÓ Baoighill · descendant of Baoighill
- BradyMac Brádaigh · son of Brádach
- McBrideMac Giolla Bhríde · son of the devotee of Saint Brigid
- ClarkeÓ Cléirigh · descendant of the cleric
- O'DohertyÓ Dochartaigh · descendant of Dochartach
- O'DonnellÓ Dónaill · descendant of Dónall
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Donnelly mean?
Donnelly (Irish: Ó Donnghaile) means descendant of Donnghal, meaning brown valour.
What is the Irish spelling of Donnelly?
The Irish-language form of Donnelly is Ó Donnghaile.
Where is the surname Donnelly from?
Donnelly is a native Gaelic Irish family, associated with Tyrone in Ulster.
What are other spellings of Donnelly?
Related spellings and forms include O'Donnelly.