Connolly is an Irish surname associated with Ó Conghalaigh, meaning “descendant of Conghalach”. Patrick Woulfe's surname dictionary glosses that personal name as “valorous” and records four distinct families, in Meath and Monaghan, Thomond, Galway and Roscommon. Conolly is another established spelling, carried by Speaker William Conolly of Castletown.
Looking for a personal keepsake? Browse our Connolly and Conolly Irish family gifts, choosing the spelling shown on each product.
What does the Connolly name mean?
In Irish Names and Surnames (1923), Woulfe explains Ó Conghalaigh as a name formed from the ancestor's personal name Conghalach. Its English forms include Connolly and Connelly. His separate entry for Ó Conghaile gives “descendant of Conghal”, with a meaning associated with high valor.
The two Irish names are distinct, with Conghalach formed as a derivative of Conghal. Woulfe notes that their English spellings overlap with those of other surnames, including Ó Coingheallaigh, a west Cork name, and Mac Conghaile. The original record and the family's location show which name a family carried.
Where in Ireland did the families originate?
Woulfe records four regional families under Ó Conghalaigh: a southern Uí Néill family originally in East Meath and later settled with the MacMahons in Monaghan; a Dalcassian family in Thomond; a branch of Uí Maine in Galway; and a Roscommon family.
The separate Ó Conghaile entry includes families associated with Mayo, Lough Erne and Clonmacnoise. In Galway, that name is usually written Conneely. The Monaghan family became the most prominent line: they were chiefs of the name by the fifteenth century and helped organize the rising of 1641. By 1890, Connolly ranked twenty-third among Irish surnames, with most births recorded in Ulster.
For your own research, pair a county association with a known townland, parish, relative or marriage witness to distinguish households that share the surname.
Is Conolly the same as Connolly?
Yes. Conolly is a long-standing single-n form of the same name, and both spellings belong in a surname search. Record the spelling written on each document, then compare dates, addresses, occupations and relatives before joining two records into one family tree.
The Conolly family of Castletown provides a documented example of the single-n spelling. William Conolly was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in 1662 and became Speaker of the Irish House of Commons in 1715. By his death in 1729 he was the wealthiest and most powerful politician in Ireland, and his family's story is explored in William Conolly and Castletown.
How to begin researching your Connolly or Conolly family
Start with the nearest ancestor whose identity you can establish, then work backward. Record the name exactly as it appears, an approximate date, the place, and the relatives named alongside it. Keep a note of which document supports each relationship.
The Irish government's genealogy service gives access to historic civil birth, marriage and death records, along with church records for some counties and links to other resources, including the 1901 and 1911 census returns. Search both Connolly and Conolly when necessary, then test each possible match against the information you already know.
A useful first goal is a documented household. Finding a marriage or baptism that names a parent moves the search back one generation at a time, and each confirmed parish brings the family closer to its home place.
Choose a gift with the right family spelling
For the double-n name, the Connolly accent mug offers an everyday keepsake, while the Connolly Celtic harp T-shirt provides a wearable option. The Conolly selection includes a cotton woven blanket, printed throw, ornaments and other home gifts.
Our Connolly and Conolly gift guide compares the choices by spelling, use and occasion. A handwritten family memory makes a thoughtful addition to any of them.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best-known bearers of the name?
James Connolly (1868–1916), the labor leader executed after the Easter Rising, was born in Edinburgh to Monaghan parents. William Conolly (1662–1729) carried the single-n form.
Should I change Conolly to Connolly in my family tree?
Keep the spelling recorded in each source and note alternatives alongside it. Searching both forms turns up records that a single spelling misses.
Which spelling should I choose for a gift?
Choose the recipient's own spelling. Connolly and Conolly products are titled separately in the shared collection, so each gift carries the right form of the name.
Sources and further reading
- Patrick Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923): Ó Conghalaigh and Ó Conghaile.
- Office of Public Works, Castletown: The Conolly Family and Castletown.
- National Library of Ireland: Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.
- Government of Ireland: Access Irish Genealogy Records.