Connolly

Connolly is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Conghaile (also rendered Ó Conghalaigh), meaning “descendant of Conghalach.” The name is common in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora.

Notable people with the surname include James Connolly (1868–1916), an Irish socialist leader who was executed after the Easter Rising; Maureen Connolly (1934–1969), an American tennis player nicknamed “Little Mo” who won multiple Grand Slam titles; and Kevin Connolly (born 1961), an American actor and director known for his role in the television series Entourage.

In Ireland, Connolly Station is a major railway terminus in Dublin named after James Connolly. The name also underpins various localities and streets in Ireland and among Irish communities abroad.