Conley from O′Conghaile or [1] Ó Conghalaigh (“hound valiant”) 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.[1]

Conley
Language(s)Irish
Origin
Region of originIreland
Other names
Variant form(s)Connelly, Connolly, Connley

Conley is also used as a male given name, anglicized from Old Irish Conláed, meaning "constant fire," which combines cunnail ("prudent, constant") and áed ("fire"). Alternatively, it could be a compound name from Old Irish cond ("intellect," "mind," or "king") or cenn ("head, chief") 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

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Arts and letters

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Robert Conley, reporter (1960s)

Business

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Lyda Conley, lawyer (c. 1902)

Entertainment

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Education

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Military

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  • Edgar Thomas Conley – Civil War – Pvt. 2nd Md. Inf. C.S.A. KIA 1863
  • Edgar Thomas Conley (1874–1956), United States Army, Major General and Adjutant General of the U.S. Army
  • Edgar Thomas Conley Jr. (1907–1993), United States Army, Brig. General

Politics and law

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Religion

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Science

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Sports

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Frankie Conley, boxer (1910)

Miscellaneous

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Michael C. O'Laughlin, ed. (2002). The Book of Irish Families, Great & Small (3rd ed.). Kansas City, MO: Irish Genealogical Foundation. p. 61. ISBN 0-940134-09-8.
  2. ^ "J. Michael Conley Elementary: About Us". Retrieved 29 March 2020.