Donnelly is a surname of Irish origin. It is the anglicized form of the

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

''Ó Donnghaile'' meaning ‘descendant of Donnghal’ a given name composed of the elements "donn" (dark or brown), plus "gal" (valour). O'Donnelly is derived from the descendants of Donnghal, the great grandson of Domhnall,

King of Ailech The Kings of Ailech were the over-kings of the Medieval Ireland, medieval Irish Provinces of Ireland, province of Ailech in north-western Ireland. It encompassed the territories of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill. After the battle of Cloí ...

. Early ancestors of this surname were a part of Cenél nEoghain, a branch of the

Northern Uí Néill The Northern Uí Néill is any of several dynasties in north-western medieval Ireland that claimed descent from a common ancestor, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Other dynasties in central and eastern Ireland who also claimed descent from Niall wer ...

. It is most commonly found in

County Tyrone County Tyrone (; ) is one of the six Counties of Northern Ireland, counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the thirty-two traditional Counties of Ireland, counties of Ireland. It is no longer used as an admini ...

and

Donegal Donegal may refer to: County Donegal, Ireland * County Donegal, a county in the Republic of Ireland, part of the province of Ulster * Donegal (town), a town in County Donegal in Ulster, Ireland * Donegal Bay, an inlet in the northwest of Ireland b ...

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

. It was so common in

Roscommon Roscommon (; ) is the county town and the largest town in County Roscommon in Ireland. It is roughly in the centre of Ireland, near the meeting of the N60, N61 and N63 roads. The name Roscommon is derived from Coman mac Faelchon who built ...

that at some point, a branch of people with the Donnelly surname took on the name of Briscoe instead.

Surname

* Alan Donnelly (born 1957), British politician and former trade unionist *

Arthur Barrett Donnelly Arthur Barrett Donnelly (May 31, 1875 – July 29, 1919) was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Biography Donnelly was born in St. Louis on May 31, 1875. On December 7, 1892, he enlisted in the 1st Missouri ...

(1875–1919), US Army general *

Brendan Donnelly Brendan Kevin Donnelly (born July 4, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A right-hander, Donnelly pitched for twenty-one teams (two of them independents), twelve organizations, two independent leagues, eleven organized minor ...

(born 1950), British politician *

(born 1971), baseball player * Brian Donnelly (disambiguation) * Charles Donnelly (disambiguation) * Charley Donnelly (1885–1967), American educator, golfer, and football and golf coach *

Christine Donnelly The Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern (ADTR) is an Australian non-profit organisation providing cultural and dance programs for Aboriginal Australian, located in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. It was founded in 1979 by Christine Donnelly, who re ...

, founder and CEO of the Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern in Sydney, Australia * Ciaran Donnelly (born 1984), English footballer * Dan Donnelly (disambiguation) *

Danny Donnelly (politician) Danny Donnelly is a Northern Irish politician who has been an Alliance Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for East Antrim since May 2022. Political career Early career (2011-2022) Donnelly began his political career as a can ...

, Northern Irish politician *

Davis A. Donnelly Davis A. Donnelly (March 9, 1927 – September 15, 2020) was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. Biography Donnelly was born in Augusta, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsi ...

(1927–2020), Wisconsin senator * Declan Donnelly (born 1975), English television presenter, producer and actor, one half of Ant & Dec *

Desmond Donnelly Desmond Louis Donnelly (16 October 1920 – 3 April 1974) was a British politician, author and journalist who was a member of four political parties during the course of his career, and moved between parties on five occasions. Origins Donn ...

(1920–1974), British politician, author and journalist *

Dick Donnelly Charles Richard Donnelly (11 September 1941 – 21 July 2016) was a Scottish footballer, broadcaster, and journalist. Early and personal life Donnelly was born in Lochee, Dundee and attended Harris Academy in the city. He was married with on ...

(1941–2016), Scottish football player, journalist and broadcaster * Donal Donnelly (1931–2010), Irish theatre and film actor *

Dougie Donnelly Douglas Donnelly (born 7 June 1953) is a Scottish television personality best known for presenting sports coverage. Career Donnelly was born in Glasgow, where he began his career with Radio Clyde in the 1970s, presenting the top-rated Mid Morn ...

(born 1953), Scottish television presenter *

Edward Terence Donnelly Edward Terence Donnelly (August 22, 1871 – February 8, 1929) was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Biography Donnelly was born in London on August 22, 1871, the son of Edward C. Donnelly who was from New Yo ...

(1871–1929), US Army general *

Elfie Donnelly Elfie Donnelly (born January 14, 1950 in London) is a British-Austrian author, who has written numerous books and radio dramas for children. Her major works are ''Bibi Blocksberg'' and '' Benjamin Blümchen''. Biography Donnelly spent her early c ...

(born 1950), British-Austrian children books writer *

Fin Donnelly Fin Donnelly (born May 27, 1966) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the House of Commons of Canada to represent the electoral district of Port Moody—Coquitlam. He is a member of the New Democratic Party. Donnelly was first elected ...

(born 1966), Canadian politician *

Gary Donnelly Gary Donnelly (born June 3, 1962) is a former professional tennis player from the United States. Donnelly still lives in Phoenix with his five children and wife, where he is a club pro at the Scottsdale Arizona Inn. Donnelly played college ten ...

(born 1962), American tennis player *

, Irish republican *

Greg Donnelly Gregory John Donnelly is an Australian politician, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since 2005, representing the Labor Party. Background and early career Donnelly was educated at Mandurah Primary, Christian Brothers College ...

, Australian politician * Henry Edmund Donnelly (1904–1967), American Catholic bishop *

Ian Donnelly Ian Donnelly (born 28 January 1981) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 2000s. He played in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm, Manl ...

(1981), Australian rugby league footballer *

Ignatius L. Donnelly Ignatius Loyola Donnelly (November 3, 1831 – January 1, 1901) was an American Congressman, populist writer, and fringe scientist. He is known primarily now for his fringe theories concerning Atlantis, Catastrophism (especially the idea of an a ...

(1831–1901), Minnesota politician *

Jack Donnelly Jack Donnelly (born 28 October 1985) is an English actor, best known for his role in BBC series ''Atlantis'', in which he played the role of Jason. Early life Donnelly was born the first of four boys in Bournemouth on 28 October 1985, the son ...

(born 1985), English actor *

James S. Donnelly Jr. James S. Donnelly Jr. (born 1943) is emeritus professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he specialised in nineteenth-century Irish history. He is a leading figure in the field of Irish studies in North America. Donnelly i ...

(born 1943), American historian *

Jamie Donnelly Jamie Donnelly is an American actress known for her portrayal of Jan in the musical, and later film, '' Grease,'' along with Magenta in ''The Rocky Horror Show'' during its run in the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. Biography Donnelly was born i ...

(born 1947), American actress * Jason Donnelly (born 1970), New Zealand rugby league footballer *

Jennifer Donnelly Jennifer Donnelly (born August 16, 1963) is an American writer of young adult fiction best known for the historical novel '' A Northern Light''. ''A Northern Light'' was published as ''A Gathering Light'' in the U.K. There, it won the 2003 Car ...

(born 1963), American novelist * Joe Donnelly (born 1955), American attorney and politician *

Joseph Francis Donnelly Joseph Francis Donnelly (May 1, 1909 – June 30, 1977) was a bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford from 1965 to 1977. Biography Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Donnelly ...

(1909–1977), American Catholic bishop * John Donnelly (disambiguation) *

Ken Donnelly Kenneth J. Donnelly (July 15, 1950 – April 2, 2017) was a Massachusetts state senator for the Fourth Middlesex district, which included his hometown of Arlington and several other cities. He was a Democrat who served from 2009 to 2017. Do ...

(born 1950–2017), American politician *

Kieran Donnelly Kieran Donnelly (born 1975/1976) is an Irish Gaelic football coach and former player. He has been manager of the Fermanagh county team since 2021. Career Donnelly played inter-county football for Fermanagh. He made his debut for Fermanagh und ...

, Irish Gaelic footballer * Liza Donnelly, American cartoonist and writer *

Luke Donnelly Luke Donnelly (born 20 January 1996) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Alloa Athletic. Donnelly began his career as a youth player for Celtic and has since played for East Stirlingshire, Morton, Queen's Park, Stranraer, Ar ...

(born 1996), Scottish footballer * Laura Donnelly (born 1982), Irish actress *

Meg Donnelly Meg Elizabeth Donnelly (born July 25, 2000) is an American actress. She portrayed Taylor Otto in the ABC sitcom ''American Housewife'', and Addison in the 2018 Disney Channel Original Movie ''Zombies'' and its sequels, '' Zombies 2'' (2020) and ...

(born 2000), American singer and actress *

Malcolm Donnelly Malcolm Douglas Donnelly AM (born 8 February 1943 in Sydney). is an Australian baritone opera singer. Donnelly studied with Marianne Mathy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and with Vida Harford in London. His career started with the Eliza ...

(born 1943), Australian baritone singer * Mark Donnelly (born 1955), Professor, Publisher, Author * Martin Donnelly (disambiguation) * Mattie Donnelly, Irish Gaelic footballer * Mattie Donnelly, Irish hurler * Melinda Romero Donnelly (born 1971), Puerto Rico politician * Michael Donnelly (1927–1982), Roman Catholic priest from Ireland * Michael Donnelly (1959–2005), Gulf War veteran, activist, and author *

Mike Donnelly Michael Chene Donnelly (born October 10, 1963) is an American former ice hockey left wing. He played in the National Hockey League between 1986 and 1996 with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars The Dallas Sta ...

(born 1963), American hockey player * Patrick Donnelly (disambiguation) *

Peter Donnelly Sir Peter James Donnelly (born 15 May 1959) is an Australian-British mathematician and Professor of Statistical Science at the University of Oxford, and the CEO of Genomics PLC. He is a specialist in applied probability and has made contrib ...

(born 1959), Australian mathematician *

Peter F. Donnelly Peter F. Donnelly (October 6, 1938 – March 28, 2009) was an American patron of the arts. He was a former vice-chairman of Americans for the Arts, a co-founder of the Seattle Arts Commission and a pivotal figure in the Seattle artistic community ...

(1938–2009), American patron of the arts *

Phil M. Donnelly Philip Matthew Donnelly (March 6, 1891 – September 12, 1961) was an American politician serving as the List of governors of Missouri, 41st and 43rd Governor of Missouri. He was a United States Democratic Party, Democrat. Donnelly and Kit Bond, ...

(1891–1961), Missouri governor 1945-49 and 1953–57 * Rich Donnelly (born 1946), American baseball coach * Ruth Donnelly (1896–1982), American stage and film actress * Ryann Donnelly, American musician * Scott Donnelly (born 1987), English football player *

Scott C. Donnelly Scott C. Donnelly (born 1961) is the Chief executive officer, CEO of Textron. Before joining Textron, Donnelly was the Chief executive officer, CEO for GE Aviation, General Electric Aviation, a producer of jet engines for Commercial aircraft, co ...

(born 1961), Chief Operating Officer of Textron *

Seamus Donnelly (disambiguation) Seamus Donnelly is the name of: *Seamus Donnelly (footballer), Irish retired professional footballer *Seamus Donnelly (IRA), member of the Provisional IRA Seamus Donnelly is the drummer for Birmingham band SnowBabes {{Hndis, Donnelly, Seamus ...

Shannon Donnelly Shannon Donnelly (b. March 15 CA) is an author of children’s books, romance novels, video games, and non-fiction books. Her work has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and ...

, Children's novelist *

Sharon Donnelly Sharon Donnelly (born July 29, 1967 in Toronto, Ontario) is an athlete from Canada, who competed in triathlon (1.5-km Swimming (sport), swim, 40-km Bicycle, cycle, 10-km run). Donnelly graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1 ...

(born 1967), Canadian athlete *

Simon Donnelly Simon Thomas Donnelly (born 1 December 1974) is a Scottish professional football player and coach. Donnelly played as a forward or wide midfielder for Queen's Park, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, St Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Partick This ...

(born 1971), Scottish footballer *

Tanya Donelly Tanya Donelly (born July 14, 1966) is an American Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter and guitarist based in New England who co-founded Throwing Muses with her step-sister Kristin Hersh. Donelly went on to co-form the alternative rock band ...

(born 1966), American musician *

Thomas Donnelly (Saskatchewan politician) Thomas F. Donnelly (1 January 1874 – 9 October 1948) was a Liberal Party of Canada, Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was born in New Carlisle, Quebec and became a physician, principal and teacher. Donnelly atte ...

(Thomas F. Donnelly, 1874–1948), Canadian member of Parliament * Thomas Donnelly (sergeant-at-arms) (1764–1835), New York legislative officer *

Thomas Donnelly (writer) Giselle Donnelly (born Thomas Donnelly; June 13, 1953) is a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI). Donnelly is a writer, an analyst of military affairs and defense, national security and foreign pol ...

(born 1953), American writer and director of the Center for Defense Studies at the American Enterprise Institute * Thomas Charles Donnelly (born 1933), former Alberta MLA * Thomas Dean Donnelly, American screenwriter *

Thomas F. Donnelly (New York City) Thomas F. Donnelly ''(née'' Thomas Frederick Donnelly; December 13, 1863 – November 1, 1924) was an American lawyer, judge and politician from New York. Life He was born on December 13, 1863, in New York City, the son of Thomas Lester Donne ...

(1863–1924), New York politician and judge *

Tom Donnelly Thomas Mathew Donnelly (born 1 October 1981) was a rugby union player who played for Montpellier in the Top 14. He also made 15 appearances for the All Blacks since 2009 and played for Otago Rugby Football Union. He moved into a coaching caree ...

(Thomas Mathew Donnelly, born 1981), New Zealand rugby union player *

Tom Donnelly (footballer) Thomas Donnelly (born 12 March 1947) is a Scottish former Association football, footballer who played as a Midfielder#Wing half, right half or Forward (association football)#Inside forward, inside right. Having come to the attention of professi ...

(born 1947), Scottish footballer for Motherwell and East Stirlingshire *

Tommy Donnelly (footballer) Tommy Donnelly is an Irish former footballer who played for Drumcondra, Shamrock Rovers and Ireland. When Donnelly played as an international there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, th ...

, Irish association football player * William Donnelly (disambiguation) * The

Black Donnellys The "Black" Donnellys were an Irish Catholic immigrant family who settled in Biddulph township, Upper Canada (later the province of Ontario), about 15 km northwest of London, in the 1840s. The family settled on a concession road which became ...

, a feuding Canadian family

Fictional people

* Elizabeth Donnelly, character in American crime drama, ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' *

Glen Donnelly Glen Donnelly is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Richard Huggett. The actor joined the cast shortly after leaving '' E Street'', and he relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where the show is filmed. H ...

, character from Australian soap opera, ''Neighbours'' *

Helen Elliott Donnelly Helen Elliott Donnelly was a fictional character on the now-cancelled American soap opera, '' Love is a Many Splendored Thing''. She was first played by actress Grace Albertson, who was replaced by actress Gloria Hoye. Meddling mother When she wa ...

, character in American soap opera, ''Love is a Many Splendored Thing''

Other spellings

* Donnally (disambiguation)

References

{{Uí Néill English-language surnames Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames

Surname

Fictional people

Other spellings

See also

References