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Kelly Family History
Kelly Genealogy & Family TreeKelly 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
- Deborah Kelly -- --, 1771 December 0, 1791 Connecticut
- Joanna Kelly -- --, 1757 November 14, 1826
- Moses Hurst Kelly -- --, 1768 July 16, 1853 Pennsylvania
- Virginia Kelly -- --, 1847 February 23, 1881 Pennsylvania
- John Kelly -- --, 1873 June 24, 1950
Kelly Death Records
- Name Birth Date Death Date Location
- Edward Eugene Kelly -- --, 1894 May 3, 1986
- Eileen Clara Kelly -- --, 1901 May 3, 1994
- Kevin Brian Kelly -- --, 1931 December 22, 1932 New South Wales
- Clemency Kelly -- --, 1827 April 18, 1857 Kentucky
- Samuel Jefferson Kelly -- --, 1832 December 0, 1924 Kentucky
