Conneally History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

While many Irish names are familiar, their past incarnations are often shrouded in mystery, reflecting the ancient Gaelic heritage of their bearers. The original Gaelic form of the name Conneally is Ó Conghalaigh, Ó Conghaile, or Ó Coingheallaigh. 1

Early Origins of the Conneally family

The surname Conneally was first found in Connacht and Munster, as well as County Monaghan and Leinster. There were three Gaelic septs whose name was Anglicized as Connolly: the O Conghalaigh sept (also known as O Conghaile) who lived in Connacht and the adjacent County Monaghan; the O Coingheallaigh sept, which also used the alias Mac Coingheallaigh, were subordinate to the powerful O'Donovans and dwelled in West Cork in Munster; and another sept, related to the O'Maddens, resided in Connacht and were of the Ui Maine. 2

Early History of the Conneally family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conneally research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1591, 1660, 1715, 1729, 1738, 1750, 1760, 1803 and 1825 are included under the topic Early Conneally History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conneally Spelling Variations

One explanation for the many variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname Conneally were found in the many archives researched. These included Connolly, Conolly, Connally, O'Connolly, Connolley, Conally, Connelly, Conoley, Connaleigh, Connelay, Conley, Conlay, Conlaye and many more.

Early Notables of the Conneally family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was William Connolly (c.1660-1729), Speaker of the House of Commons. He was the son of a publican, or, as some say, of a blacksmith. Having been called to the bar, he soon made way in his profession; but he distinguished himself more particularly in the Irish House of Commons, of which he was chosen speaker 12 Nov. 1715. He continued to hold this post until his resignation through failure of health, 12 Oct...
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Conneally Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conneally migration to the United States +

A great wave of Irish migration occurred during the 19th century as a direct result of English colonial rule and tight-fisted absentee landlords. Many of these Irish immigrants boarded passenger ships bound for North America. Those who migrated early enough were given land in either British North America or the United States; those who came in the late 19th century were typically employed in industrial centers as laborers. At whatever age they undertook the dangerous passage to North America, those Irish immigrants were essential to the speedy development of the two infant nations to which they arrived, whether they broke and settled land, helped build canals, bridges, and railroads, or produced products for consumer consumption. An examination of immigration and passenger lists has uncovered a large number of immigrants bearing the name Conneally or one of its variants:

Conneally Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Margaret Conneally, aged 36, originally from Cloonkean, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 3
Delia Conneally, aged 17, originally from Glenamaddy, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 3
Nicholas Conneally, aged 20, originally from Knockenarra, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Kaiserin Augusta Victoria" from Liverpool, England 3
Nicholas Conneally, aged 20, originally from Williamstown, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Kaiserin Augusta Victoria" from Queenstown, Ireland 3
Thomas Conneally, aged 18, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Kaiserin Augusta Victoria" from Liverpool, England 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Conneally (post 1700) +

Monsignor Nicholas Conneally, American pastor of St. Monica Catholic Church, California, inspiration for character Father O'Malley, played by Bing Crosby in the Academy Award Best Picture winning Going My Way (1944)
P. Michael Conneally Ph.D., (1931-2017), Irish-born, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Indiana University School of Medicine
Paul Terence Conneally (b. 1959), English poet, artist and musician

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result