Surname Conally - Meaning and Origin

Conally: What does the surname Conally mean?

The last name Conally is an anglicized variation of the Gaelic surname Ó Connail. This surname originated in Ireland where it was derived from the Irish personal name Conall. It is derived from the Old Irish "cu" (hound) and "gal" (valor), meaning "valiant hound".

The surname Conally is found mainly in the County Sligo of Ireland, where it would have initially been adopted as a surname by a royal family several centuries ago. The presence of this name in County Sligo is thought to stem from the Ó Connail family who are descended from a sixth century Gaelic High King, Niall of the Nine Hostages.

The spelling of the name over time may have changed due to regional variations in pronunciation as English replaced Gaelic as the language of everyday speech. Conally is a fairly uncommon surname worldwide, although it remains somewhat popular in Ireland and, to a lesser extent, the United States.

Today, the Conally surname carries with it the rich cultural heritage of Irish ancestry. It evokes a connection to the long and tumultuous history of the island and to the courage and valor that were exemplified by surname's ancient namesake, Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Conally: Where does the name Conally come from?

The last name Conally can be found mostly in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of the 2019 census, there were 1,602 people listed under Conally as a surname. Although native speakers of English are the primary carriers of the surname, it is also present in Canada, Ireland, and even the Netherlands.

Most of the Conallys currently residing in the US live in Pennsylvania. About 890 households use this name in the state. California is the second most popular state with 281 Conally families living there. Following Pennsylvania and California are West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Texas, where, respectively, 136, 104, 72, and 56 Conally families call home.

The popular six-syllable surname pops up frequently in the US due to its prevalence amongst the Pennsylvania Dutch, who primarily settled in the area in the 1700s. It also is an anglicized form of the original German spelling of Kondel, sometimes spelled Kondels.

Conally is a relatively uncommon name. However, there are interesting carryovers of the name due its adoption by the Pennsylvania Dutch, and its continued presence in the US.

Variations of the surname Conally

The surname Conally can have various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. The surname is most likely of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "O Connghalaigh," which is derived from the personal name "Conghal," meaning "valorous and strong."

The most common variants of the surname Conally include Connally, Connelly, Conolly, Conally, Canally, Connely, and Connally. There are also variants from other parts of the world, such as Cannally (English), Conrlley (Irish), Conally (Irish), and Conelly (Anglo-Saxon).

Other surnames of similar origin include O'Connell, Connel, Keneally, Connahey, Kenealy, Conron, Conrin, Connelly, Kenery, and Kinkill. Some of these names are of Scottish and English origin.

The Conally surname is also spelled in other ways, such as Conley, Conni, Counall, Conleye, Counelly, Conelley, Counail, Counenhall, Cononally, and Conneily.

The variations of the surname result from its history of migration and immigration and from the different cultures found in different parts of the world. It is possible to find the Conally family, and its variants, in parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Conally

• John B. Conally III: Former Texas politician and member of the Republican Party who served as Senator and the 39th Governor of Texas
• Theodore Conally: American broadcast journalist and radio personality
• Wayne Conally: Former American football player who played with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins in the 1970’s
• Bob Conally: Retired United States Navy veteran, former Utah Senator and a member of the board of the Mormon Church
• Jean Conally: American actress known for her roles in the films “Jaws” and “Assault on Precinct 13”
• Jimmy Conally: Professional golfer who won a number of amateur tournaments
• John Conally: Prominent American lawyer and former president of the American Bar Association
• Jane Conally: American abstract painter and sculptor
• James Walker Conally: British Army Officer who served in the Second Boer War
• Elizabeth Conally: American philanthropist and co-founder of the Conally Foundation

Other surnames

Conall