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Kelly Family History

Kelly Genealogy & Family Tree

Kelly is an Irish name from southwest Ireland, where the family is said to be descended from King Colla da Crioch. The name is derived from the Gaelic O Ceallaigh or Mac Ceallaigh and is often used as a given name meaning “strife” or “contention.” It might also come from Kelly, England, where it comes from the Cornish word celli meaning “wood” or “grove.” Roots for this name can also be found in Wales, Scotland, and England. It is the 2nd most common surname in Ireland and the 69th most common in the United States. The family motto is Turris Fortis Mihi Deus which means “God is a strong tower to me.”

Other spellings include “Kellie,” “O’Kelly,” “Kelley,” “O’Kelley,” “Kelli,” and “O’Killia.” Notable people with the surname include American actor Gene Kelly (Singin’ in the Rain, An American in Paris, On the Town), American actress and Monacan Princess Grace Kelly (To Catch a Thief, High Noon, Rear Window), and American actress Minka Kelly (500 Days of Summer, Friday Night Lights, Almost Human). The first Kelly to come to America was Brian Kelly in Virginia in 1635.

Kelly Birth Records
  • Name Birth Date Death Date Location
  • Sarah Sallie Kelly -- --, 1826 April 1, 1870 North Carolina
  • Adam S Kelly -- --, 1858 October 7, 1932 Pennsylvania
  • Margaret Kelly   December 0, 1856 Virginia
  • Ronald Dee Kelly -- --, 1948 January 19, 1986
  • Hannah Kelly -- --, 1858 December 0, 1883 West Virginia
Kelly Death Records
  • Name Birth Date Death Date Location
  • Rita Clarice Kelly -- --, 1909 December 0, 1909 Victoria
  • Dennis Joel Kelly -- --, 1956 May 29, 1985 New Mexico
  • Madeline Kelly -- --, 1909 December 31, 2002 Tennessee
  • Ann E Kelly -- --, 1782 July 16, 1847 North Carolina
  • William Arnett Kelly -- --, 1922 June 26, 1984 Kentucky
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