Surname Kellye - Meaning and Origin

Kellye: What does the surname Kellye mean?

The last name Kellye is most likely derived from a Gaelic or Irish surname. In Irish Gaelic, the name "kellye" translates to "kel" meaning "brave" and "ye" meaning "grand or mighty". The surname may also be derived from the Irish given name Ceallach, meaning “ancient, or war-like”.

The name Kellye is a beautiful and strong sounding name in both its Gaelic and Irish form. It makes an excellent choice for parents looking to pass on their heritage and a sense of strength to their child.

In the United States, the last name Kellye is relatively rare, though its spelling can vary from Kelley to Kelleigh to Kelli. It is estimated to be most common in the states of Illinois and Ohio.

The name Kellye is typically associated with strong character traits, in particular assertiveness, ambition, intelligence and leadership. People with the surname Kellye are often thought to be naturally outgoing, confident and competitive. Those with the name often have a social conscience and tend to work toward fairness and justice for those around them.

Overall, the last name Kellye is a beautiful name, with strong Irish and Gaelic origins. The name implies good character traits such as intelligence, ambition, assertiveness, and fairness; making it an excellent choice for parents looking to pass a sense of heritage and strength to their children.

Kellye: Where does the name Kellye come from?

The last name Kellye is most commonly found today in the United States. It is most common in California, specifically in the San Francisco Bay area and the Los Angeles area. The Kellye surname is of Irish descent, as it derives from the Irish surname O'Kelley. There have been more than 800 people with the Kellye surname living in the US since 1880, with many of them residing in California.

Kellye is also quite common in the UK and Ireland, but with slightly different spelling variations (such as Kelley, Kelleigh, Kellee, Kelly, Kelli). This name is also found in Canada, Australia, and other parts of Europe. There is quite a bit of diversity to the Kellye surname, as it can be seen in both Irish and English descent.

It is likely that the Kellye surname may have been brought to the United States by Irish immigrants looking for opportunity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Kellye surname is known to have been found in Northern California by the late 1800s and is still found today all over the California coast, as well as the West Coast.

As the last name Kellye continues to be used by those living in the United States and around the world, the name continues to be found in Irish, English, and even Canadian descent. It can be an interesting and unique surname that is sure to give one insight into their family's heritage.

Variations of the surname Kellye

The surname Kellye originates from the Medieval Gaelic surname O'Ceallaigh, an Irish sept based in County Mayo and Clare, derived from the first name Ceallach, meaning ‘bright-headed wearer of the hood’. Variants and spellings of this surname include: Kelly, Kelley, Ceallaigh, Kelleher, Kellaher, O'Kelly, Ó Ceallaigh, and Kiley.

In Ireland, the surname evolved from O'Ceallaigh to Kelly and ultimately to Kellye, a variant of the Kelly spelling, which is commonly found in the British Isles. Kelly is the most widespread spelling, with over 800,000 bearers of the name worldwide. In the United States, O’Kelleigh, Kelly and Kelley are the most popular forms, while the Irish form of O'Kelly is prevalent in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The Kelleher and Kellaher spellings are also found in Ireland, having been changed from O'Ceallaigh to Kelleher, under the influence of the Norman French surname de Ifilis. In the south of Ireland, the O'Ceallaigh and O'Kelley forms remain in common use, however the Irish- American form of O’Kelleigh is more dominant in the United States.

Kiley is an Americanized spelling of the Irish surname Kelly, which is itself a variation of the Gaelic Ó Ceallaigh. It is also common in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it may also be spelled as Kiely. It can be found in various countries including the United States and Australia, where the spelling is often changed to Kiley.

Famous people with the name Kellye

• Alicea Kellye: American actress known for her roles in films such as 24 Hours to Live, Madea Goes to Jail, and Get Hard.
• John Kellye: American civil rights attorney and civil liberties advocate.
• Kellye Crane: American primetime TV actress, appearing in shows such as Boy Meets World, Will & Grace, and Veronica's Closet.
• Bob Kellye: American television writer, best known for working on the shows Cheers, Rosanne, and Frasier.
• Steven Kellye: British stage and screen actor, best known for his roles in BBC's Dangerfield, The Bill and The New Statesman.
• Rudy Kellye: American actor, known for his roles in films such as Superman Returns, The Way We Were, and The One.
• Viola Kellye: American actress, singer, and dancer who starred in films such as Alamo, Grease, and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
• James Kellye: American professional golfer who has won multiple major championships such as the Masters, U.S. Open, and PGA Championships.
• Dawn Kellye: American stand-up comedienne, writer, and producer known for her work on Call Me Lucky, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Saturday Night Live.
• Veronica Kellye: British model, known internationally for her work with Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, and Vivienne Westwood.

Other surnames

Kelly