O'Connell is the anglicized Ó Conaill, a Kerry name carried by the castellans of Ballycarbery and by the Derrynane family that raised Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator. Connell is the same name without the O, and the range comes in both spellings, so the first step is to match the spelling the family uses. Every piece is in our O'Connell & Connell Irish family gifts collection.
O'Connell or Connell: Check the Spelling First
An Irish great-grandparent can easily be Connell on paper even when the family writes O'Connell today: John Grenham found that almost 60% of births of the name in 1890 were recorded as Connell, against 12% of households in 1996. The Connell mug and the Connell wall pennant suit a branch that kept the short form; everything else carries O'Connell. For a family that uses both, give one of each spelling as a pair.
The Heirloom: O'Connell Woven Blanket
The O'Connell woven blanket is the milestone gift. Woven rather than printed, it builds the crest into the Irish National Tartan with 100% premium cotton yarn and finishes it with fringed edges, in three sizes: 52 × 37, 60 × 50 and 80 × 60 inches. Wash it cold on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low. Choose the 80 × 60 for a wedding or an anniversary, and the 52 × 37 as a lap throw for a grandparent’s reading chair.
Everyday Gifts: Mugs, Coasters and a Tee
- O'Connell mug: 11 oz ceramic, glossy white outside with a black handle and interior, microwave and dishwasher safe.
- Connell mug: the same 11 oz black-accent format for the Connell spelling.
- O'Connell coaster set: 3.75-inch square coasters with a high-gloss top and natural cork backing.
- O'Connell family crest T-shirt: soft cotton, classic unisex fit, Irish Green or Black, sizes S to 3XL, a simple way to dress a family reunion in the name.
For the Porch, the Wall and the Car
The House of O'Connell garden flag and the O'Connell crest garden flag both come in 12 × 18 and 24.5 × 32 inches of poly poplin-canvas with a top sleeve for standard garden poles; the pole is not included. Indoors, the O'Connell wall pennant is 18 × 21 inches of polyester twill with laser-cut edges, ready to hang on its wooden dowel and twine, a good fit for a dorm room or a home office. For the driver, the O'Connell license plate sets the crest over the Irish flag on a 12 × 6 inch aluminum plate with pre-drilled holes; mounting hardware is not included.
The Christmas Keepsake
The O'Connell ceramic ornament is double-sided, three inches across, and comes with a gold cord for the tree: an easy stocking gift for cousins, or a marker for a first Christmas in a new home.
Matching the Gift to the Occasion
Weddings and anniversaries: the woven blanket. Birthdays and Father’s Day: a mug with the coaster set. Law school graduation: Daniel O'Connell was called to the Irish bar in 1798 before he led the campaign for Catholic Emancipation, so a pennant for the new office fits. A Ring of Kerry trip: Derrynane House, where the Liberator grew up, is open to visitors within Derrynane National Historic Park; tuck the trip plans in with a mug or a flag.
Put the Story in the Card
A card line that fits: “Ó Conaill of Kerry, keepers of Ballycarbery Castle, and the name Daniel O'Connell carried to Catholic Emancipation in 1829.” For the full history, from Magunihy in east Kerry to the house at Derrynane, read our O'Connell surname history.
O'Connell Gift FAQ
What is the best gift for an O'Connell?
The woven cotton blanket for a milestone; the mug, coaster set or ornament for everyday gifting.
Do you carry the Connell spelling?
Yes: a Connell mug and a Connell wall pennant. Connell is the same Ó Conaill name without the O.
Is O'Connell an Irish name?
Yes. It is the Gaelic Ó Conaill, best known in Kerry, with separate old families of the name in Derry and south Galway.