Kelly

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Kelly are Scottish kin-group or family who do not have a recognised chief and are therefore considered an armigerous clan.

Origins

The name Kelly is Irish and is a version of 'O'Cellaigh' -son of Ceallach. <ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref> It has become the second most popular name throughout the whole of Ireland.<ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref> It comes from a personal name which means 'strife'.<ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref>

For Scotland, Black gives other explanations. It may be a variant of Kelloe, an old barony in Berwickshire.<ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref> Kelloe is also a place name in Durham and Northumberland.

Middle Ages

William de Kellawe was baliff to Alexander III in 1278.<ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref> Richard de Kellow was witness to a charter in Roxburghshire in 1338.<ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref>

John de Kelly is Abbot of Abroath in 1373. <ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref> The Mackellies found in Galloway and Wigtownshire are most likely to Celtic descent. <ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref>

Kelly of that Ilk

The only certain reference to Kelly of that Ilk is in Nisbet, who describes the arms of a black saltire between four blue fluer de lis all on a gold field.<ref>Plean, Squire, Encyclopedia, 408</ref>

References

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