Donnelly (surname)

Donnelly is an Irish surname. Also used as: O’Donnelly or Donley. It is derived from the Gaelic ''Ó Donnghaile'' meaning 'descendant of Donnghal', a given name composed of the elements ''donn'' ('dark, brown') and ''gal'' ('valour'). O'Donnelly was historically of the Northern Uí Néill's Cenél nEoghain, descended from Donnghal, the great-grandson of Domhnall, King of Ailech.

It is most commonly found in Ulster, especially in County Tyrone and in parts of County Donegal. Donnelly is also prevalent in Connacht, particularly in County Galway.

The stronghold of the O'Donnelly family sept was Castlecaulfield was formerly known as Ballydonnelly (Irish: ''Baile Uí Dhonnaíle'', meaning 'town or territory of O'Donnelly') a village in the south-east of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Provided by Wikipedia