Donnelly is an Irish surname. Also used as: O’Donnelly or Donley. It is derived from the

Gaelic Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to: Languages * Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...

''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 The Northern Uí Néill was any of several dynasties in north-western medieval Ireland that claimed descent from a common ancestor, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Other dynasties in central and eastern Ireland who also claimed descent from Niall ar ...

Cenél nEoghain Cenél is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history *Cenél nEógain (in English, Cenel Eogan) is ...

, descended from Donnghal, the great-grandson of Domhnall,

King of Ailech The Kings of Ailech were the over-kings of the Medieval Ireland, medieval Irish Provinces of Ireland, province of Ailech in north-western Ireland. It encompassed the territories of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill. After the battle of Cl ...

. It is most commonly found in

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

, especially in

County Tyrone County Tyrone (; ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland. Its county town is Omagh. Adjoined to the south-west shore of Lough Neagh, the cou ...

and in parts of

County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county of the Republic of Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster and is the northernmost county of Ireland. The county mostly borders Northern Ireland, sharing only a small b ...

. Donnelly is also prevalent in

Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...

, particularly in

County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...

. The stronghold of the O'Donnelly family sept was

Castlecaulfield Castlecaulfield ( Irish: ''Baile Uí Dhonnaíle'', meaning 'town or territory of O'Donnelly' Patrick McKay, ''A Dictionary of Ulster Place-Names'', p. 37. The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, 1999.) is ...

was formerly known as Ballydonnelly ( Irish: ''Baile Uí Dhonnaíle'', meaning 'town or territory of O'Donnelly') a

village A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban v ...

in the south-east of

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

Origins

The Donnellys (O’Donnellys) held the role of marshalls to the O'Neills of Tyrone. According to Gaelic Irish tradition, the Donnellys were part of the Cenél nEoghain making them kin of the O'Neills. In their role as Marshalls to the O'Neills, they were responsible for fostering the children of 'The O'Neill'. The Donnellys reached the height of their role during the time of Shane O'Neill when Dean Terrence Danyell (Turlough O'Donnelly) of Armagh played a key role in communications between Shane O'Neill and

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...

Ballydonnelly

The earliest mention of Ballydonnelly is the Annals of the Four Masters in 1531 when it is said Baile-Ui-Donnghaile was assaulted by Niall Oge, son of Art, son of Con O'Neill. He demolished the castle; and he made a prisoner of the son of O'Neill, who was foster-son of Donnelly, and carried him off, together with the horses and the other spoils of the town. At the start of the Plantation of Ulster, Ballydonnelly was allocated as a 'Servitor' portion and as such was granted to Sir Toby Caulfeild who had served in the Crown forces during the

Nine Years' War The Nine Years' War was a European great power conflict from 1688 to 1697 between Kingdom of France, France and the Grand Alliance (League of Augsburg), Grand Alliance. Although largely concentrated in Europe, fighting spread to colonial poss ...

. The Donnellys were involved in the 1641 rebellion where Castle Caulfield, was badly damaged by fire.

Notable Donnellys

Alan Donnelly Alan John Donnelly (born 16 July 1957) is a British Labour Party politician and former trade unionist from Jarrow. He served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and as leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party. Donnelly was fi ...

(born 1957), British politician and former trade unionist *

Arthur Barrett Donnelly Arthur Barrett Donnelly (May 31, 1875 – July 29, 1919) was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Biography Donnelly was born in St. Louis on May 31, 1875. On December 7, 1892, he enlisted in the 1st Missouri ...

(1875–1919), US Army general *

Arthur Donnelly Sir Arthur Telford Donnelly (6 June 1890 – 1 February 1954) was a New Zealand lawyer and sports administrator, and chairman of the Bank of New Zealand. Life and career Born in Christchurch, Donnelly was educated at Christchurch Boys' High S ...

(1890–1954), New Zealand lawyer, sports administrator, and chairman of the Bank of New Zealand *

Brendan Donnelly Brendan Kevin Donnelly (born July 4, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A right-hander, Donnelly pitched for twenty-one teams (two of them independents), twelve organizations, two independent leagues, eleven organi ...

(born 1950), British politician *

(born 1971), baseball player *

Brian Donnelly (disambiguation) Brian Donnelly may refer to: * Brian Donnelly (hurler) (born 1961), Irish retired hurler * Brian Donnelly (New Zealand politician) (1949–2008), member of the New Zealand First party * Brian Donnelly (British diplomat), retired United Kingdom d ...

Charles Donnelly (disambiguation) Charles Donnelly may refer to: * Charles Donnelly (poet) (1914–1937), Irish poet and political activist * Charles Donnelly (railroad) (1869–1939), president of Northern Pacific Railway, 1920–1939 *Charles L. Donnelly Jr. Charles Lawthers ...

* Charley Donnelly (1885–1967), American educator, golfer, and football and golf coach *

Christine Donnelly The Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern (ADTR) is an Australian non-profit organisation providing cultural and dance programs for Aboriginal Australian, located in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. It was founded in 1979 by Christine Donnelly, who re ...

, founder and CEO of the Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern in Sydney, Australia * Ciaran Donnelly (footballer) (born 1984), English footballer *

Dan Donnelly (disambiguation) Dan Donnelly may refer to: * Dan Donnelly (boxer) (1788–1820), Irish-born heavyweight champion * Dan Donnelly (singer) (born 1974), Irish singer-songwriter * Danny Donnelly (politician) Danny Donnelly is an Alliance Party politician in Nor ...

Danny Donnelly (politician) Danny Donnelly is an Alliance Party politician in Northern Ireland, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for East Antrim since May 2022. Political career Early career (2011-2022) Donnelly began his political career as a ...

, Northern Irish politician *

Davis A. Donnelly Davis A. Donnelly (March 9, 1927 – September 15, 2020) was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. Biography Donnelly was born in Augusta, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin L ...

(1927–2020), Wisconsin senator *

Declan Donnelly Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly (born 25 September 1975) is a British television presenter, television producer, former singer, rapper, comedian and actor. He is best known for working alongside Ant McPartlin as part of the presenting duo Ant ...

(born 1975), English television presenter, producer and actor, one half of

Ant & Dec Ant & Dec are a British television presenting duo consisting of Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly from Newcastle upon Tyne. After meeting as child actors on CBBC's drama ''Byker Grove'', they performed together as pop musicians PJ & Duncan, ...

Desmond Donnelly Desmond Louis Donnelly (16 October 1920 – 3 April 1974) was a British politician, author and journalist who was a member of four political parties during the course of his career, and moved between parties on five occasions. Origins Donn ...

(1920–1974), British politician, author and journalist * Dick Donnelly (1941–2016), Scottish football player, journalist and broadcaster *

Donal Donnelly Donal Donnelly (6 July 1931 – 4 January 2010) was an Irish theatre and film actor. Perhaps best known for his work in the plays of Brian Friel, he had a long and varied career in film, on television and in the theatre. He lived in Ireland, th ...

(1931–2010), Irish theatre and film actor *

Dougie Donnelly Douglas Donnelly (born 7 June 1953) is a Scottish television personality best known for presenting sports coverage. Career Donnelly was born in Glasgow, where he began his career with Radio Clyde in the 1970s, presenting the top-rated Mid Mor ...

(born 1953), Scottish television presenter * Edward Terence Donnelly (1871–1929), US Army general *

Elfie Donnelly Elfie Donnelly (born 14 January 1950) is a British-Austrian author, who has written numerous books and radio dramas for children. Her major works are '' Bibi Blocksberg'' and '' Benjamin Blümchen''. Biography Donnelly spent her early childhood ...

(born 1950), British-Austrian children books writer *

Eoghan Ó Donnghaile Eoghan Ó Donnghaile (Owen O'Donnelly) (fl. c. 1690) was an Irish poet. Eugene O'Curry wrote of Ó Donnghaile in his ''Manners and Customs '', saying that: "About 1680 a controversy sprang up among some of the bards of Ulster as to what race by ...

(Fl. c. 1690) Irish poet, took part in the controversy involving the

Red Hand of Ulster The Red Hand of Ulster () is a symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster and the Northern Uí Néill in particular. It has also been used however by other Irish clans across the island, including the ruling families of we ...

Fin Donnelly Fin Donnelly (born May 27, 1966) is a Canadian politician. He has served as the member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of British Columbia for the electoral district of Coquitlam-Burke Mountain since 2020, as part of the British Columbia New ...

(born 1966), Canadian politician *

Gary Donnelly Gary Donnelly (born June 3, 1962) is a former professional tennis player from the United States. Donnelly still lives in Phoenix with his five children and wife, where he is a club pro at the Scottsdale Arizona Inn. Donnelly played college te ...

(born 1962), American tennis player *

, Irish republican * Giselle Donnelly (born 1953), American writer and director of the Center for Defense Studies at the American Enterprise Institute * Greg Donnelly, Australian politician * Henry Edmund Donnelly (1904–1967), American Catholic bishop * Ian Donnelly (born 1981), Australian rugby league footballer *

Ignatius L. Donnelly Ignatius Loyola Donnelly (November 3, 1831 – January 1, 1901) was an American Congressman, populist writer, and pseudoscientist. He is known primarily now for his fringe theories concerning Atlantis, Catastrophism (especially the idea of ...

(1831–1901), Minnesota politician *

Jack Donnelly Jack Donnelly (born 28 October 1985) is an English actor, best known for his role in BBC series '' Atlantis'', in which he played the role of Jason. Early life Donnelly was born the first of four boys in Bournemouth on 28 October 1985, the s ...

(born 1985), English actor * James Donnelly (bishop) (1823–1893), Irish Roman Catholic bishop *

James S. Donnelly Jr. James S. Donnelly Jr. (born 1943) is emeritus professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he specialised in nineteenth-century Irish history. He is a leading figure in the field of Irish studies in North America. Donnelly ...

(born 1943), American historian *

Jamie Donnelly Jamie Donnelly is an American actress and singer known for her portrayal of Jan in the musical, and later film, '' Grease,'' along with Magenta in ''The Rocky Horror Show'' during its run in the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. Career Donnelly i ...

(born 1947), American actress * Jason Donnelly (born 1970), New Zealand rugby league footballer *

Jennifer Donnelly Jennifer Donnelly (born August 16, 1963) is an American writer best known for the young adult historical novel '' A Northern Light''. ''A Northern Light'' was published as ''A Gathering Light'' in the U.K. There, it won the 2003 Carnegie Medal, ...

(born 1963), American novelist *

Joe Donnelly Joseph Simon Donnelly Sr. (born September 29, 1955) is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 and as a United States Senate, U.S. Senator from 2013 to 2019. A member of t ...

(born 1955), American attorney and politician * Joseph Francis Donnelly (1909–1977), American Catholic bishop *

John Donnelly (disambiguation) John Donnelly may refer to: *John Donnelly (Australian politician) (1885–1956), Australian politician * John Donnelly (baseball), 19th-century baseball player * John Donnelly (footballer, born 1936) (1936–2009), Scottish footballer (Celtic, Pre ...

Ken Donnelly Kenneth J. Donnelly (July 15, 1950 – April 2, 2017) was a Massachusetts state senator for the Fourth Middlesex district, which included his hometown of Arlington and several other cities. He was a Democrat who served from 2009 to 2017. D ...

(born 1950–2017), American politician * Kieran Donnelly, Irish Gaelic footballer *

Liza Donnelly Liza Donnelly is an American cartoonist and writer, best known for her work in ''The New Yorker'' and is resident cartoonist of CBS News. Donnelly is the creator of digital live drawing, a new form of journalism wherein she draws using a tablet, ...

, American cartoonist and writer * Luke Donnelly (born 1996), Scottish footballer *

Laura Donnelly Laura Donnelly (born 24 June 1982) is an actress from Northern Ireland. She studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before her early roles on stage and screen. She is known for her collaborations with playwright Jez Butterworth acting i ...

(born 1982), Irish actress *

Meg Donnelly Meg Elizabeth Donnelly (born July 25, 2000) is an American actress. She played Taylor Otto in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC sitcom ''American Housewife'' (2016–2021), Addison Wells in the Disney Channel film series Zombies (franchise), ...

(born 2000), American singer and actress *

Malcolm Donnelly Malcolm Douglas Donnelly AM (born 8 February 1943 in Sydney). is an Australian baritone opera singer. Donnelly studied with Marianne Mathy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and with Vida Harford in London. His career started with the El ...

(born 1943), Australian baritone singer * Mark Donnelly (born 1955), Professor, Publisher, Author *

Martin Donnelly (disambiguation) Martin Donnelly may refer to: * Martin Donnelly (civil servant) (born 1958), former Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in the UK * Martin Donnelly (sportsman) (1917–1999), sportsman who represented New Zeal ...

* Mattie Donnelly, Irish Gaelic footballer * Mattie Donnelly, Irish hurler *

Melinda Romero Donnelly Melinda Kathleen Romero Donnelly (born October 8, 1971) is a Puerto Rican people, Puerto Rican politician, and former Senate, senator and Legislator, Representative for the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico, New Progressive Party (PNP). She is ...

(born 1971), Puerto Rico politician * Michael Donnelly (1927–1982), Roman Catholic priest from Ireland * Michael Donnelly (1959–2005), Gulf War veteran, activist, and author *

Mike Donnelly Michael Chene Donnelly (born October 10, 1963) is an American former ice hockey left wing. He played in the National Hockey League between 1986 and 1996 with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and New York Is ...

(born 1963), American hockey player *

Patrick Donnelly (disambiguation) Patrick Donnelly may refer to: *Patrick Donnelly (bishop) Patrick Donnelly (1650–1716) was an Irish Catholic Bishop known as The Bard of Armagh. He was born in Desertcreaght, Cookstown, County Tyrone in 1650 and died in 1716. His family was ...

* Peter Donnelly (born 1959), Australian mathematician * Peter F. Donnelly (1938–2009), American patron of the arts * Phil M. Donnelly (1891–1961), Missouri governor 1945-49 and 1953–57 *

Rich Donnelly Richard Francis Donnelly (born August 3, 1946) is an American professional baseball coach. On March 7, 2014, he was named third-base coach of the Seattle Mariners, replacing John Stearns. He served in the post for two seasons, through , before h ...

(born 1946), American baseball coach *

Ruth Donnelly Ruth Donnelly (May 17, 1896 – November 17, 1982) was an American film and stage actress. Early years and family Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Donnelly was the daughter of Harry Augustus and Bessie B. Donnelly. Her uncle Frederi ...

(1896–1982), American stage and film actress *

Ryann Donnelly Ryann Donnelly was born in Olympia, Washington. With friends from high school Jonah Bergman and Steve Bonnell, Ryann formed the band Schoolyard Heroes. Their wikt:debut, debut album was ''The Funeral Sciences'', and their second album, ''Fantastic ...

, American musician * Scott Donnelly (born 1987), English football player * Scott C. Donnelly (born 1961), Chief Operating Officer of Textron *

Seamus Donnelly (disambiguation) Seamus Donnelly is the name of: * Seamus Donnelly (footballer), Irish retired professional footballer * Seamus Donnelly (IRA), member of the Provisional IRA {{Hndis, Donnelly, Seamus ...

Shannon Donnelly Shannon Donnelly (b. March 15 CA) is an author of children’s books, romance novels, video games, and non-fiction books. Her work has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and ...

, Children's novelist *

Sharon Donnelly Sharon Lynn Donnelly (born July 29, 1967) is an athlete from Canada, who competed in triathlon (1.5-km swim, 40-km cycle, 10-km run). Donnelly graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1990, (17324) with a B.A. (Commerce), and ser ...

(born 1967), Canadian athlete *

Simon Donnelly Simon Thomas Donnelly (born 1 December 1974) is a Scottish professional football coach and former player. Donnelly played as a forward or wide midfielder for Queen's Park, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, St Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Parti ...

(born 1971), Scottish footballer *

Sinéad Donnelly Sinéad Donnelly (also Ni Dhonnghaile) is an Irish–New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at the University of Otago, specialising in palliative care. Academic career Donnelly was born in Ireland, and trained there as a palliative and ...

, Irish professor of palliative medicine *

Tanya Donelly Tanya Donelly (born July 14, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist based in New England. She came to prominence as a co-founder of the band Throwing Muses with her step-sister Kristin Hersh. Donelly went on to co-form the altern ...

(born 1966), American musician * Tara Donnelly (born 1998), Irish Gymnast * Thomas Donnelly (Saskatchewan politician) (Thomas F. Donnelly, 1874–1948), Canadian member of Parliament *

Thomas Donnelly (sergeant-at-arms) Thomas Donnelly (1764–1835) was Sergeant-at-Arms of the New York State Assembly from 1806 to 1813, and from 1814 to 1817. Biography He was born in 1764. His parents were married in Trinity Church, Manhattan. At the outbreak of the revolution, hi ...

(1764–1835), New York legislative officer *

Thomas Charles Donnelly Thomas Charles Donnelly (October 13, 1933 – April 1, 1997) was a provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1975 to 1979 sitting with the governing Progressive Conservat ...

(1933–1997), former Alberta MLA *

Thomas Dean Donnelly Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer are American screenwriters who have collaborated on a number of projects from ''Thoughtcrimes'' in 2003 through an adaptation of Brian Freeman's ''Infinite'' in 2021. Filmography *''Thoughtcrimes'' ...

, American screenwriter * Thomas F. Donnelly (New York City) (1863–1924), New York politician and judge * Tim Donnelly, (1944–2021), American film and television actor *

Tom Donnelly Thomas Mathew Donnelly (born 1 October 1981) is a former rugby union player who played for Montpellier in the Top 14. He also made 15 appearances for the All Blacks since 2009 and played for Otago Rugby Football Union. He moved into a coaching ...

(Thomas Mathew Donnelly, born 1981), New Zealand rugby union player * Tom Donnelly (footballer) (born 1947), Scottish footballer for Motherwell and East Stirlingshire *

Tommy Donnelly (footballer) Tommy Donnelly (? - 28 January 1994) is an Irish former footballer who played for Drumcondra, Shamrock Rovers and Ireland. When Donnelly played as an international there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. ...

, Irish association football player *

William Donnelly (disambiguation) William Donnelly or Willie Donnelly may refer to: * William Earnest Donnelly, New Zealand schoolteacher * William J. S. Donnelly (1844–1914), Newfoundland politician * William M. Donnelly (1885–1946), American politician in Michigan * William ...

* The

Black Donnellys The "Black" Donnellys were an Irish Catholic immigrant family who settled in Biddulph township, Upper Canada (later the province of Ontario), about 25 km northwest of London, in the 1840s. The family settled on a concession road which became ...

, a feuding Canadian family

Fictional people

* Elizabeth Donnelly, character in American crime drama, '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' *

Glen Donnelly Glen Donnelly is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Richard Huggett. The actor joined the cast shortly after leaving '' E Street'', and he relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where the show is filmed. H ...

, character from Australian soap opera, ''

Neighbours ''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera that has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons and ...

'' *

Helen Elliott Donnelly ''Love Is a Many Splendored Thing'' is an American daytime soap opera that aired on CBS from September 18, 1967, to March 23, 1973. The series was created by Irna Phillips, who served as the first head writer. She was replaced by Jane Avery and Ir ...

, character in American soap opera, ''Love is a Many Splendored Thin''

References

{{Uí Néill Surnames Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames

Origins

Ballydonnelly

Notable Donnellys

Fictional people

See also

References