Surname Kewley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kewley: What does the surname Kewley mean?
The surname Kewley is of Manx origin, which is the native Gaelic language of the Isle of Man, a small island situated in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and England. In Gaelic, it is spelled as "Mac Amhlaigh" where "Mac" means son of, and "Amhlaigh" is the Gaelic form of the Old Norse personal name "Áleifr" or Olaf. The surname is assumed to mean "son of Olaf". Thus, its meaning may be Norse or Viking heritage and it is commonly associated with the Isle of Man. Variations of this surname include Qualtrough, Cowell, and Callow among others. The surname was then given to descendants of the Mac Amhlaigh family in the region. It is worth noting that like many surnames of this era, a multitude of spelling variations in medieval documents exist.
Order DNA origin analysisKewley: Where does the name Kewley come from?
The surname Kewley is of Manx origin, meaning it comes from the Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Amhalghaidh," which means "son of Auley," where Auley is a derivative of the ancient Irish name Olaf, a Scandinavian royal name brought to Ireland by the Vikings.
The Kewley surname is particularly associated with the Isle of Man and its surrounding regions. There has been a noted migration of people with this surname to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to historical economic uncertainties and opportunities overseas. However, in terms of absolute numbers and concentration, the Isle of Man and mainland Britain likely remain the most common regions for individuals with the Kewley surname today.
Variations of the surname Kewley
The surname Kewley is of Manx origin, deriving from the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Variants of the surname Kewley carry similar Manx roots and include: Keewley, Keely, Kewly, and Kewely.
The surname can also be found as MacDhughaill or MacDowell in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and as McDowell, McDougall, McDougal, and McGougall in English, as they are phonetic anglicizations of the Manx name.
Other spellings considered similar or derivative, usually due to regional dialects and pronunciations, may also include Keighley, Keeley, and Kegley.
Please note that while these surnames have similar pronunciations and spellings, each might have its own unique origin and meaning. They also might be related to different genealogical lineages. This list does not mean that everyone with these surnames is ancestrally connected. Genealogical research and, in more recent years, DNA testing, would help establish any familial connections.
Famous people with the name Kewley
- John Kewley: He was a Manx advocate, political activist, and published author. His book, "The Form of Process Before the Ecclesiastical Courts of the Isle of Man," remains a classic in its field.
- David Kewley: Known for being a film producer with contributions to notable titles like "Dark Streets" and "The Last Time".
- Tom Kewley: He is a producer and director widely recognized for his work on "A Star Is Born: Special Features", and "The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards".
- Tessa Kewley: She is an Australian film producer, known for her contributions to films "My Brilliant Career" and "The Irishman".
- Sarah Kewley: She is an actress who has worked in TV series such as "Neighbours" and "The Saddle Club".
- Nicola Kewley: A film producer and script developer, she has worked on projects like "Songbird" and "Jellyfish".
- Chris Kewley: An experienced animator and visual effects artist, he's worked on projects like "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian".