Connell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


Irish surnames are all based on the Gaelic language native to Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name Connell is Ó Conaill. 1

Early Origins of the Connell family

The surname Connell was first found in County Limerick where O'Connell was the chief of Hy-Cuilean, a territory south-east of Abbeyfeale, in the barony of Upper Connello near the borders of Cork and Kerry. The O'Connells had their chief residence in Castle Connell. In the twelfth century the O'Connells settled in Kerry. One reference claims that the O'Falvies, admirals of Desmond; the O'Connells, of Kerry; O'Sheas, chiefs of Muskerry, in Cork; and several other chiefs, claim descent from the Clan na Deaga, Chiefs of Munster, originally a branch of the Heremonians of Ulster.

The Cannell variant is "a name peculiar to the Isle of Man, is from the Celtic MacConaill." 2

Early History of the Connell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Connell research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1300, 1621, 1641, 1678, 1743, 1775, 1826 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Connell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Connell Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Connell were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Connell, O'Connell, Cannell, Connall, Conell, Conall, Connill, Connull, Connel, Connal, Connul, Canell, Cannel, O'Connall, O'Conell and many more.

Early Notables of the Connell family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

Connell World Ranking

In the United States, the name Connell is the 1,827th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Connell is ranked the 469th most popular surname with an estimated 8,035 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Connell is the 837th popular surname with an estimated 869 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Connell as 922nd with 7,496 people. 6



Connell migration to the United States +

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Connell family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Connell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Connell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Connell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Connell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Connell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Connell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Connell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Connell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Connell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Connell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Connell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Connell (post 1700) +





The Connell Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ciall agus neart
Motto Translation: Reason and power.





Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate