Surname Canally - Meaning and Origin

Canally: What does the surname Canally mean?

The last name Canally is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name Ó Ceanndail, which was originally spelled as O'Ceanndail. This Irish surname is derived from the Gaelic word "ceann," meaning "head" and "dal," meaning "valley." Over time, the name changed from O'Ceanndail to O'Cananndaile and eventually to Canally, along with several other similar spellings.

In the Middle Ages, the Canallys were a branch of the large O'Connor family and were one of the most powerful clans in the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. The Canallys were often employed as stewards of the church's lands, which included large tracts in the Aran Islands, Connemara, and Kerry. In addition to their stewardship duties, the Canallys also served as mayors, counselors, provincial governors, and members of the Irish military.

The Canallys played an important role in Irish historical and local politics. During the turbulent years of the 17th century, the Canallys were known as loyal supporters of the Crown, and many served the Irish Army. Throughout the 19th century, they were prominent landlords, and many held the powerful position of chief justice in the Irish legal system.

Today, the Canally name is still common in Ireland, particularly in the province of Connacht. In the United States, there are numerous Canally families scattered across the country, with the greatest concentration coming out of New England. With such distinguished roots and a strong presence in both Ireland and the U.S., it's no wonder why the name Canally carries a lot of weight and respect.

Canally: Where does the name Canally come from?

The last name Canally is primarily found in counties Cork and Wexford in Ireland. It is also common in Northern Ireland, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

In Ireland, the name is thought to have originated in the 12th century, when townland registrars recorded the name of an individual as ”Mac Conghail” or ”O Conghail.” This translates as ”son of Conghal”, or ”grandson of Conghal” respectively. The name ultimately translates to ”valorous”, referring to strength and courage.

In addition to Ireland, the name is also common in the United Kingdom. Specifically, Scotland, Wales, andEngland all have considerable numbers of people bearing the Canally surname.

In Canada, immigration to the Maritime Provinces has brought some Canally families to the country. In the United States, most Canally families are found in the states New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These individuals moved to the United States as part of the Irish diaspora in the 19th century.

The Canally surname is special in the sense that it is still common in the countries where it originated. It is a sign of immigrants preserving the memory of their past for generations.

Variations of the surname Canally

The origin of the surname Canally is shrouded in mystery and may have been derived from multiple sources. One possibility is that it is derived from the Old Norse words ‘kann’ and ‘hall’ meaning “council-hall”. Another possible origin is from the Gaelic ‘Ceannndail’ which translates to ‘gleaming head’.

Variants of the surname Canally can include: Conally, Cannally, Connelly, Connally, Conley, Connolly, Cannuly, Conolly, and Knally.

Spellings of Canally that have been used are Canally, Canaly, Canlly, and Cannally.

Surnames with the same origin but with slightly different spelling include Kannally, Kannelly, Kannolly, Kannally, Kennally, Kennelly, and Kinnally.

The Canally surname can be found in records as early as the 1600s and has spread around the world. People with this surname can be found in the USA, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Canally

• Ethan Canally: Professional soccer player currently playing for Toronto FC
• Pat Canally: former NFL player for the Los Angeles Rams
• Marc Canally: former MLB pitcher who appeared in 33 games from 1988-1994
• Rey Canally: former Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in 39 games from 1986-1988
• Tony Canally: former professional golfer and member of the PGA Tour from 1971-1984
• Mario Canally: Former Major League Baseball player from the Dominican Republic who appeared in 172 games from 1975-1981
• Brandon Canally: Professional mixed martial arts fighter with a professional record of 5-5
• Tina Canally: Former professional tennis player who competed on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour from 2001-2004
• Paul Canally: Former professional darts player who has competed in the BDO World Darts Championship and PDC UK Open
• Taylor Canally: Record-holding professional track and field athlete and Paralympian

Other surnames

Canales