The name Connell has its roots in the Irish Gaelic language and culture. It is derived from the Old Irish word "connall," which means "noble" or "confident." The name can be traced back to the early medieval period in Ireland, where it was likely used as a personal name by members of the Irish nobility or warrior class.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Connell can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The Annals mention a figure named Connell mac Niall, who was a prince of the Northern Uí Néill dynasty in the 7th century AD. This suggests that the name was already in use among the Irish ruling class during this time.

In the 9th century, the Martyrology of Oengus, an Irish liturgical calendar, mentions a Saint Connell, who was a monk and abbot of the monastery of Inishmurray off the coast of County Sligo. This indicates that the name was also used within religious circles in early medieval Ireland.

Throughout the Middle Ages, several notable figures bore the name Connell. One of the most famous was Connell Óg Ó Briain (c. 1370-1426), who was the last King of Thomond, a medieval Irish kingdom located in what is now County Clare.

During the 16th century, the name Connell gained prominence in Scotland, where it was likely introduced by Irish settlers or through cultural exchange. One notable Scottish figure with this name was Connell Fergushill (c. 1570-1655), a Scottish landowner and politician who served as a member of the Parliament of Scotland.

In the 17th century, the name Connell appears in historical records from the English Civil War. Connell O'Malley (c. 1605-1650) was an Irish military leader who fought for the Catholic Confederates against the English Parliamentarians during this conflict.

As the name Connell spread beyond Ireland, it also found its way into literary works. One notable example is Connell Wyatt, a character in the 19th-century novel "The Fortunes of Nigel" by Sir Walter Scott.

Other historical figures named Connell include Connell Cruise O'Brien (1917-2008), an Irish historian, writer, and politician, and Connell Byrne (1911-1977), an Irish artist known for his landscape paintings.

Overall, the name Connell has a rich history that can be traced back to its Irish Gaelic origins and its association with nobility, religion, and cultural exchange throughout the centuries.