Parent’s name

Kelley surname meaning

Kelley is often an anglicized Irish patronymic from Ó Ceallaigh, but English, Scottish, and Cornish place-name routes also occur.

Confidence: Disputed
US frequency: Rank 203 · 137,250 people
Common variants: Kelly, O'Kelly, Ó Ceallaigh

Confidence: Disputed. More than one origin is plausible, or sources disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a cute answer.

The short story

Kelley is a spelling variant of Kelly, and one major source is the Irish patronymic Ó Ceallaigh, “descendant of Ceallach.” That personal name has been explained in more than one way, including a connection with churchgoing. The spelling also arose in English, Scottish, and Cornish place-name traditions, including names linked with wood or grove. Ó Cadhla is another Irish source sometimes represented by Kelly. Parent’s name is the leading catalog type, but disputed is safer for the American surname as a whole because independent lineages share the spelling.

Also seen as: Kelly, O'Kelly, Ó Ceallaigh

Sources used

Wikipedia “Kelly (surname)” (Ó Ceallaigh, Ó Cadhla, and place-name routes)
FamilySearch “Kelley/Kelly” surname entry (Irish and British origins)
Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)