Donnelly is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Donnghaile. This name translates to "descendant of Donnchadh", with Donnchadh being an ancient Irish personal name meaning "brown-haired chief". The prefix "Ó" indicates that it was originally a patronymic name, which means it was passed down through the male line.
The surname Donnelly is believed to have originated in County Tyrone, Ireland. It was borne by a family who were part of the Gaelic nobility and were known for their bravery and loyalty. The first recorded spelling of the name was found in county Tyrone in 1598, where it appeared as "Donelly" in the Fiants of the Earldom of Tyrone.
Over time, the name Donnelly has spread beyond Ireland and can now be found throughout the world, particularly in countries with significant Irish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite its Irish origins, the name is now considered to be of universal appeal.
In conclusion, the surname Donnelly is a proud Irish name with a rich history that spans centuries and continents. It is a name that carries with it a sense of heritage and tradition, as well as a connection to the land of Ireland and its people.
The given statistics show the number of births with the name Donnelly in the United States over several decades. The earliest recorded year is 1922, with a total of 7 births that year. Five years later, in 1926, there were 6 births registered with the name Donnelly.
There was then a gap in the data until 1934, when another 5 babies were named Donnelly at birth. This number remained consistent for the next several decades, as there were also 5 births recorded with this name in both 1949 and 1950.
After another significant gap of nearly three decades, the statistics show a further 5 births with the name Donnelly in 1975. This figure is repeated again in 1986, indicating that the popularity of the name has remained relatively stable over time.
Overall, according to these records, there have been a total of 38 babies named Donnelly in the United States since 1922. It's important to note that these figures may not be exhaustive and could potentially include some duplicate entries or omissions due to limitations in record-keeping methods during certain periods.
Despite this limitation, the data does provide an interesting snapshot into the historical usage of the name Donnelly in the United States over a span of nearly seven decades.