Contents [hide]

Kelly History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Australia New Zealand Canada United States

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Sources

Kelly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
England

Etymology of Kelly

What does the name Kelly mean?

The Irish name Kelly has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Kelly is Ó Ceallaigh or Mac Ceallaigh. These names denote descendants of Ceallach. This personal name may be derived from the word "ceallach," which means "strife." 1

Early Origins of the Kelly family

The surname Kelly was first found in southwest Ireland, south of Dublin where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The Kelly surname is conjecturally descended from King Colla da Crioch, who died in 357 A.D.

While most of the family claim Ireland as their heritage, we did find one reference in England: "Kelly, [Devon] is noteworthy as affording one of the few continuing local instances of families seated on the estates whence they take name. The Kellys of Kelly have held this manor from the time of Henry II. at least. " 2

Henry II, King of England reigned from 1154 to 1189; so one may presume there is a relationship between the Irish and the English families, but this is the extent of our research at this time.

Early History of the Kelly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kelly research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1238, 1253, 1518, 1555, 1597, 1621, 1690, 1695, 1699 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Kelly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kelly Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Kelly dating from that time include Kelly, Kellie, O'Kelly, O'Killia and others.

Early Notables of the Kelly family

Daniel MacKelly
Sir Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot (1555-1597), Irish occultist and self-declared spirit medium
Charles O’Kelly (1621-1695) was an Irish soldier and writer from Aughrim, County Galway
James Gilliam, also known as James Kelly, (died 1701), an English pirate active in the Indian Ocean during the 1690s and was a longtime associate of Captain William Kidd. He was one of Kidd's earlies...

Kelly World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Kelly is the 50^th most popular surname with an estimated 81,180 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Kelly is ranked the 15^th most popular surname with an estimated 55,407 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Kelly is the 63^rd popular surname with an estimated 4,991 people with that name. 5 Canada ranks Kelly as 60^th with 35,114 people. 6 Quebec, Canada ranks Kelly as 649^th. 7 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Kelly as 29^th with 697 people. 8 The United States ranks Kelly as 74^th with 253,674 people. 9

Kelly migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. John Kelley, (Henderson), British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Mr. Daniel Kelly, British settler convicted at Cheshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Miss Sarah Kelly, (Kelley), (b. 1764), aged 24, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. Benjamin Kelly, (d. 1793), British settler convicted in Lancashire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. Edward Kelly, (1764 - 1812), aged 26, Irish settler convicted in Meath, Ireland in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Queen" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11

Third Fleet

Mr. Thomas Kelly, (b. 1763), aged 24, Irish settler convicted in Pontefract, Wakefield on 13th February 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Kelly Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. James Kelly, Irish settler who was convicted in Ireland for life for attempted murder, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Michael Kelly, Irish settler who was convicted in Ireland for life for political prisoner, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

Kelly Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Kelly, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Mary Kelly, (b. 1786), aged 17, English servant who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1854 13
Miss Catherine Kelly, British settler who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Miss Mary Kelly, (Carrol,Carroll), Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Thomas Kelly, Irish convict who was convicted in Kilkenny, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelly 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:

Kelly Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J Kelly, who landed in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1831
Mr. John Kelly, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 16
Thomas Kelly, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
Joseph Kelly, who landed in Wairarapa, New Zealand in 1840
Maurice Kelly, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelly migration to Canada +

Kelly Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Kelly William U.E. who settled in Bell Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 17
Mr. Kelly John U.E. (b. 1746) who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in Saint John in 1827 he was blind for the last 16 years of his life 17
Mr. Kelly Joseph U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 17
Mr. Kelly Martin U.E. (b. 1740) born in Northern Ireland from Albany, New York, USA who settled in Pointe Saint -Pierre, Gaspé, Quebec in 1784, then Eastern District, Edwardsburgh Township he enlisted in 1776 serving in the Kings Loyal Rangers, Jessups Loyal Rangers and Grenville Ontario Militia, he was married with 3 children, he died in 1811 17
Mr. Kelly William U.E. (b. 1752) who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1826 17

Kelly Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Walter Kelly, who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1806
Margaret Kelly, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1810
John Kelly, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1826
Eleanor Kelly, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1829
John Kelly, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelly migration to the United States +

Kelly Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Brian Kelly, who purchased land in Virginia in 1635
Bryan Kelly, who landed in Maryland in 1635 18
Mr. Brian Kelly, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Safety" arriving in Virginia in 1635 19
Abraham Kelly, who landed in Virginia in 1640 18
Abel Kelly, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1641 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelly Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edmond Kelly, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 18
Arthur Kelly, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 18
Katherine Kelly, who landed in Virginia in 1741 18
Luke Kelly, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1745 18
Martin Kelly, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

David Kelly and his wife Mary settled with their six children in New York in 1804
Mark Kelly, aged 30, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 18
Anne Kelly, who landed in America in 1805 18
Darby Kelly, who landed in New York, NY in 1810 18
Bartholomew Kelly, who arrived in America in 1811 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelly Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Barton Cain Kelly, who landed in Alabama in 1913 18
Mary Ann Kelly, who arrived in Alabama in 1929 18

Contemporary Notables of the name Kelly (post 1700) +

Henry Kelly (1946-2025), Irish radio and television broadcaster, actor, journalist based in the United Kingdom
Donal Kelly (1938-2025), Irish journalist and broadcaster
John Kelly (1948-2023), Irish hurler who played for Tipperary (1967-1975)
John Robert Kelly (1943-2022), Irish journalist and author, born in Dublin who worked as a freelance journalist with the Irish Examiner and the Irish Echo
Jonathan Kelly (1947-2020), born Jonathan Ledingham, an Irish folk rock singer-songwriter from Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland
Frank Kelly (1938-2016), Irish actor, singer and writer, best known for his starring role as Father Jack Hackett in the sitcom Father Ted
Able Seaman Thomas Raymond Kelly GC (1928-1947), posthumously awarded the George Cross for courage
Rt. Hon. Basil Kelly (1920-2008), Judge of the High court of Justice in Northern Ireland
Gary Kelly (2005-2025), Scottish junior ice hockey right winger for the Dundee Stars, previously been selected by the Whitley Warriors
... (Another 45 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kelly family +

Cataraqui

Patrick Kelly (b. 1826), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Percy G. Kelly, Australian Private who survived when the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mrs. Stella Kelly, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she died 20
Mrs. Isabella Kelly (1873-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Mr. Francis Kelly (1894-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
... (Another 50 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Kelly 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: Turris Fortis Mihi Deus
Motto Translation: God is a strong tower to me.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance