Conley


Conley from O′Conghaile or Ó Conghalaigh is a surname of Irish or Manx origin. The anglicized forms Conneely, Connealy, and Cunneely emerged due to the loss of the "gh" sound, which lengthened the second syllable of Conghal. In Connacht, these forms are often shortened from McNeilly, derived from Mac Conghaile. Another possible origin is the West Cork name Mac Coingheallaigh or Ó Coingheallaigh, meaning "faithful to pledges." Historically, O'Connolly was a principal name of County Monaghan.
Conley is also used as a male given name, anglicized from Old Irish Conláed, meaning "constant fire," which combines cunnail and áed. Alternatively, it could be a compound name from Old Irish cond or cenn and ley, an Anglo-Norman term for "field, meadow, or forest clearing." Conley is a variant spelling of Connelly, Connley, and Connolly.

People with the surname

Arts and letters