Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
KELLEY
There are approximately 3,262 people named Kelley in the UK. That makes it the 3,064th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 52 are named Kelley.
Region of origin
British Isles
Country of origin
England
Language of origin
English
Religion of origin
Christian
Classification
English
Location or Geographical Feature
Related and similar surnames
CalleyCaley
Kelly
Kalley
Kaley
Kahley
Kailey
Kallie
Kallies
Kalie
Caeley
Cailley
Ckelly
Calleys
Cayley
Callye
Calluy
Cailey
Cahley
Caaley
Kaeley
Kailley
Kaelly
Kayley
Kally
Kaeeley
Kaely
Kailly
Kaehly
Kaelie
The Kelley surname in historical dictionaries
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
KELLY. KELLEY. The Kelleys were in old times resident in the parish of that name in Devonshire, and the Irish Kellys, now very numerous, bear the same arms. According to the genenlogy in B.L.G., the Kellys of Kelly " may look back beyond the Conquest and derive themselves from the ancient Britons !" Mr. Shirley says: " Kelly is a manor in the hundred of Lifton, about six miles from Tavistock. The manor and advowson have been in the family at least from the thue of Henry II, and here they have uninterruptedly resided since that very early period." Noble and Gentle Men, p. 59. Tlie similar name Kellie is a diminutive of Charles. See Kell.