Surname Keely - Meaning and Origin
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Keely: What does the surname Keely mean?
The surname Keely is of Irish origin and derived from the Gaelic name "O Cadhla," which means "descendant of Cadhla". Cadhla is an old Gaelic personal name that translates to "graceful" or "beautiful." Therefore, Keely is often interpreted as "descendant of the graceful one." This name was typically given to families who were descendants of chieftains in medieval times. It is most common in the province of Connacht, Ireland, particularly in County Mayo. Over time, the spelling of this surname has transformed depending on the region and family, resulting in variations such as Kealy, Keily, Keiley, and Keeley.
Order DNA origin analysisKeely: Where does the name Keely come from?
The surname Keely is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name O Cadhla, which means 'graceful or comely'. In its original form, it was mainly found in the Irish counties of Galway and Roscommon. Across time, as many people emigrated due to situations such as the Great Famine, the name spread globally.
Currently, the surname Keely is most common in Ireland itself, but it also has a significant presence in English-speaking nations around the world. Predominantly, these include the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The surname has various spelling forms, including Kealy, Kealey, Keeley, and Queally, among others. Such variations have arisen due to its anglicization and translation between languages.
Despite its global spread, the surname Keely is not exceedingly common. However, it still holds a rich historical connection with Irish Gaelic culture and diaspora.
Variations of the surname Keely
The surname Keely is of Irish origin and has several variants and spellings that may be encountered. Some of the most common include Kealey, Keeley, Keily, Kiely, Keelye and Kiley. Other versions might be Kelly, Kelley, or even Kele. The surname can sometimes be prefixed with "O'" or "Mc" as in O'Keely or McKeely, demonstrating Irish heritage.
The use of different spellings often occurred due to variations in the phonetic interpretations over time and differences in regional accents. This can result in the same original surname evolving into numerous variants. Also, many Irish names were Anglicized during the time of British rule which further compounded the number of variations.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, other Irish surnames that come from similar Gaelic roots would include names like O'Keefe, O'Reilly, O'Brien, and O'Connor, among others. However, while they may share a similar cultural and linguistic origin, each surname has its own unique history and lineage and may not be directly related.
Certain versions of the name may be more prevalent in specific regions of Ireland and diaspora communities around the world, reflecting the migration patterns of people carrying this surname over hundreds of years.
Famous people with the name Keely
- P. J. Keely: He was an Irish-American architect who designed almost 600 churches and institutions.
- Helen Keely: She was an Australian psychiatrist notable for her work in addiction and substance abuse.
- Bodhi Elfman: He's an American actor who was born as Bodhi Pine Elfman to Rhonda Joy Saboff and Richard Elfman. However, he did not go by the surname Keely.
- Sian Keely: She was a contestant on the 10th series of Britain's Got Talent.
- Emily Keely: She is an activist who has worked for various non-profit organizations.
- Laura Elizabeth Keely: She is a well-known British biologist and ecologist.
- Keely Shaye Brosnan: She is an American journalist, author, television host/correspondent, and actress. However, Keely is not her last name but rather her middle name. Please note that some entries might only be known within their specific fields or countries. Also, none of these individuals carry the last name "Keely" as a family name apart from Sian Keely. Other people like Bodhi Elfman and Keely Shaye Brosnan use "Keely" as part of their first name but not as their family name.