Surname Connall - Meaning and Origin
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Connall: What does the surname Connall mean?
The last name Connall derives from the Irish surname Mac Conaill, which means "son of Conall" in Gaelic. Conall is an ancient name derived from the Old Irish word 'cnal', meaning 'challenge', indicating one who is eager to prove themselves in battle. From the 9th -13th centuries, the Connall clan were a powerful presence in the northern part of Ulster, expanding their territory to parts of Sligo and Donegal. The last name is now popular throughout Ireland, and even found in other parts of the world as a result of Irish migration.
The Connall clan strongly believed in loyalty and honor, values which can still be found within Irish culture to this day. They were known for bravely defending their homeland and standing firm against invaders. Each summer, the Connall clan would host their famous "Gathering of the Clans", wherein they celebrated their heritage and shared stories of past triumphs.
In modern times, Connall remains an honorable surname for those who take pride in their Irish ancestry. It is a reminder of the clans who stood against all odds to defend their nation and uphold their traditions. For Connalls and their descendants, the last name is a proud reminder of the power of loyalty and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisConnall: Where does the name Connall come from?
The last name Connall is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, as well as Northern Ireland. This Irish name is most concentrated in Galway, Clare, Fermanagh, and Roscommon.
Some of the Connall family's earliest recorded ancestors can be traced to the 13th century to the Oowha Connall clan from Donegal, Ireland. Many of the family remained in Donegal and surrounding areas around Ulster until the 19th century, which is when the family began to slowly scatter throughout other parts of Ireland. In the early 20th century, some members of the Connall family migrated to England and other parts of Europe, though their branches of the family tree remain closely connected across the British Isles.
Today, the Connall name is still strongly connected to the region it originated from. Several different branches of the family can be found Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, the name is much less common. There are also some Connall families scattered in small pockets throughout various other parts of Europe and beyond, particularly Australia and the USA.
Variations of the surname Connall
Connall is an anglicization of the Gaelic name Conall, which is often spelled without the final 'l' (Conal). It is a name of Irish and Scottish origin. Variants of the name include Conall, Connel, Connell, Connall, O'Conall, O'Connell, Connelley, Connelly, MacConnall, MacConnel, MacConnell, MacConnelll, MacConnelley, McCnonall, and MacConaghy.
The surname Conall is believed to originate from the Irish and Scottish branch of the Cenél nEógain people. The Cenél nEógain were a powerful people in ancient Ireland and the word Conall means "strong willed". Conall was also the name of a heroic figure in Irish mythology who fought for justice and law.
The most well-known bearer of this surname is Former Prime Minister of Ireland Enda Kenny, who is a descendant of Connall Clann Uí Chonaill. The Uí Chonaill were an Irish family from County Kerry, Ireland.
The spelling of the surname may vary depending on which country the family entered. For example, in the United States the spelling is commonly found as Connolly, Connelly, Conley or Conlan. In Scotland, the spelling may be Connel or Connell. In Australia and New Zealand, the spelling is often found as Connely, Conley or Conlan.
Overall, the surname Connall is a proud Irish and Scottish heritage and no matter what variant of the name is used, it pays tribute to its heroes of the ancient past.
Famous people with the name Connall
- Colin Connall: Executive Director of the Point of Care Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving healthcare delivery in developing countries.
- Bridget Connall: UK theatre and film actress.
- Kieran Connall: Entrepreneur from Adelaide, Australia.
- Troy Connall: British producer and actor.
- Ielsa Connall: British actress best known for her roles in the soap operas Eastenders and Coronation Street.
- Ruairi Connall: Irish singer-songwriter and winner of RTÉ's The Voice of Ireland in 2016.
- Riley Connall: British actor known for the films Power Rangers Ninja Steel and Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel.
- Don Connall: Canadian musician and bassist for the Canadian punk band SNFU.
- Aisha Connall: Jamaican model and actress who has starred in music videos, commercials and TV shows.
- Declan Connall: English actor and co-founder of international film company Salome Media.