Surname Callagy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Callagy: What does the surname Callagy mean?
The surname Callagy is of Irish origin, typically associated with families in County Cork, and is derived from the old Gaelic term "Cealgach," meaning "strife." It is likely that the ancient Irish used the term to refer to someone who was an assertive person, someone who was unafraid to stand up for what they believe in, or who was always ready and willing to fight for what was right.
The Callagy family has had a distinguished history in County Cork, where records date back to the 12th century when the family was most likely a sept of the great O'Sullivan Mor clan. Over the centuries, a number of prominent members of the Clan Callagy have contributed to education, politics, and even the War of Independence.
The Callagy surname is still quite common today, with many members of the family living both in Ireland and abroad. Those who carry the name can find a source of pride in the heritage and legacy of the Callagy family, which is one of strength and courage, and that of a fierce dedication to the defense of justice. Their noble spirit lives on in each generation of the family, and it is a spirit that is sure to remain with the Callagy name for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisCallagy: Where does the name Callagy come from?
The last name Callagy is most commonly seen in the United States, particularly in the Northeastern and Midwestern states. It’s one of the oldest last names originating in the United States, with Irish origins tracing back to the 1600s and 1700s.
The earliest records of the name pop up in the 1840s in Massachusetts, with records indicating that the first Callagy family in the US arrived from County Tipperary in Ireland. By 1840, the name was recorded across the Northeastern states, from New York to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
Though originating in Ireland, the last name is much more widely distributed in the US. In the 1910s and 1920s the name was recorded in South Dakota, Wyoming, and California, which suggests that the early Callagys dispersed to different parts of the US throughout the 19th century.
Today, the most common states to find the Callagy name are Massachusetts, California, New York, and Connecticut. Outside the US, the last name is also found in Canada and Australia, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and Victoria.
Variations of the surname Callagy
Callagy is a surname of Irish origin that can also be spelled as Callaghy, Callahy, Callaughy, and Callahay. It is derived from the Gaelic word “O’Ceallachaidh” which means “descendant of Ceallach”. The prefix ‘O’ indicates a descendant from a chieftain and is a common addition to many Irish surnames.
Variations to the surname also include Callehy, Calley, Cally, Calligy, Callyhy, and Callay. Another common form of the spelling is Caulagy which could be a result of immigration or anglicizing of the original spelling.
Other surnames of the same origin include Cathlachy, Ceallachy, Kealoha, Kealy, Keleher, and Kelleher. As a result of varying dialects and forms of the language, there is a great degree of spelling variation in some Irish surnames.
The spelling Callaghy is especially popular in Northern Ireland and Ulster, where the name is linked to the counties of Londonderry and Down. Callaghys might also be found in counties Wexford, Cork, and Longford in the Republic of Ireland.
The great variation in spelling of the surname is increasingly common among many families of Irish origin today and individuals can take on different spellings depending on the culture they are in or the variation of the dialect they speak.
Famous people with the name Callagy
- Desmond Callagy- He is an Irish actor and director. He is best known for his roles in Love/Hate, Verona and Crown Court.
- Robert Callagy- Robert is an American former politician who served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1982 to 1992.
- Shane Callagy- Shane is an Irishman whose career has spanned writing, music and comedy. His most notable works include his debut album “Rave Like it’s 1999”.
- John Callagy- John is an American political analyst and commentator. He is an active commentator on pharma pricing and healthcare reform in the US.
- Conor Callagy- Conor is an Irish professional footballer who has played for Sheffield United, St Patrick’s Athletic, Ipswich Town and Aberdeen.
- Joe Callagy- Joe is a producer and director. He is best known for his work on the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” television series.
- Don Callagy- Don is an American college basketball coach, who has coached at Stanford, South Carolina, and The Citadel.
- Mark Callagy- Mark is an Irish author and playwright. He has written several plays, including Family Business and Exit Stage Right.