Surname Neilly - Meaning and Origin

Neilly: What does the surname Neilly mean?

The surname Neilly is believed to be of Scottish origin, arising from the Gaelic "Mac an Fhile" (pronounced Mac an Eely), which means "son of the poet". It was first used as a given name before becoming a surname, like many other surnames of Gaelic origin.

Neilly is considered an anglicized form of the original Gaelic term. The Mac an Fhile clan was known for their devotion to poetic arts and storytelling, and thus, this surname could indicate a familial link to this tradition.

People with the surname Neilly might have had ancestors who belonged to this clan or performed as bards or poets within their communities. It provides a rich cultural and historical context for the individuals bearing this name, connecting them to Scotland's deep-seated appreciation of poetry and the oral tradition. The spread of the surname would have also been influenced by the historical migrations and displacements of Scottish people.

It's also worth noting that while the main origin is most likely Scottish, the precise lineage might vary from family to family, as surnames can be influenced by various linguistic, regional, and personal factors.

Neilly: Where does the name Neilly come from?

The last name Neilly can be found today in many countries around the world. The highest concentration of the name is found in Scotland, where it is recorded as being most commonly found in the area around Glasgow. It is also very common in Ireland, with significant numbers found in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Outside Europe, Neilly is most prevalent in Canada, with a particularly high number of bearers of the name in the province of Ontario. It is also found in the Caribbean, especially in the Bahamas and Jamaica.

In the United States, Neilly is mostly found in the states of Illinois, Texas, and California. Clusters can also be observed in New Jersey, Georgia, and Massachusetts. However, due to trending migration patterns, the distribution of Neilly can vary significantly from state to state.

In other parts of the world, Neilly is less common. It is found only in small numbers in the countries of India, China, and Brazil. However, it can still be found in some pockets in these countries, showing that Neilly is a well-traveled surname. All in all, Neilly is a place-specific name, with concentrations varying from place to place, but with pockets of bearers found throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Neilly

The surname Neilly is a variant of several surnames including Nealy, Neely, Nealy, Niall, Neale, Nealey, and Neally. It is a variation of the Gaelic surname O'Neill, which originated in Ireland as an anglicized version of the original Irish name Ó Néill.

Nealy likely originated in England as a nickname for someone who was particularly gracious or courteous. The name Neely is thought to be derived from the Gaelic name Niall, which means ‘champion’. Variants such as Neale and Nealey could be from the Middle English element 'neal', which means 'noble'. Neally is a more modern version of the name and is thought to have originated as a combination of Neale and Neely.

The surname Neilly is most commonly associated with those of Irish and Scottish descent. It is especially prominent in northern Ireland, particularly in counties Derry, Tyrone, and Antrim. It is also common in Scotland, particularly in the lowlands, especially in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh.

An individual bearing the Neilly surname could be of German or Welsh origin. In Germany, the surname is derived from the Old German word 'neidel', which means 'metal or copper seller'. In Wales, the name may come from the personal name Neill, which in turn is derived from the Welsh word 'nofel', meaning 'knightly'.

The surname Neilly is shared by many notable personalities, including James Neilly, the 19th century British privateer; Joseph Neilly, an American Major-General during the War of 1812; and Henry Neilly, a Union Army colonel during the American Civil war.

Famous people with the name Neilly

• Maureen Neilly: Canadian mountaineer and author
• Tony Neilly: American professional basketball player
• Ian Neilly: British architect
• Bernie Neilly: Scottish racing driver
• Larry Neilly: American former professional basketball player
• Carol Neilly: English actress
• Phil Neilly: Canadian former professional ice hockey player
• Josh Neilly: Canadian actor
• Don Neilly: Canadian racing driver
• Sean Neilly: American drummer, song writer, and music producer
• Andrew Neilly: British artist
• Neilly O'Callaghan: Irish activist
• Pete Neilly: Canadian musician
• Terry Neilly: American professional basketball player and coach
• Harvey Neilly: American politician
• Jack Neilly: British army officer
• Gillian Neilly: Irish sculptor
• Nick Neilly: American actor
• Dawn Neilly: Irish playwright
• Jim Neilly: American professional baseball player and manager

Other surnames

NeillNeillanNeille