Donnelly
A surname of Irish origin meaning "descendant of Domhnall," derived from the Irish Gaelic words "domhan" (world) and "all" (mighty).
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 36,606 Americans carry the last name Donnelly. That puts it at #1,114 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 10.68 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 9,363 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Donnelly surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
37K
1 in 9,363
Census rank
#1,114
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
10.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
32K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 31,505 bearers of the surname Donnelly in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 10.68 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1114th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Donnelly, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Donnelly
The surname Donnelly is of Irish origin, having its roots in the Gaelic language. It is derived from the personal name "O'Donnelly," which means "descendant of Dónaill." Dónaill, in turn, is a Gaelic form of the name Donald, which means "world mighty" or "world ruler."
The name Donnelly can be traced back to the 12th century in the region of Ulster, particularly in the counties of Tyrone and Donegal. It is believed to have originated as a sept or clan of the O'Neill dynasty, one of the most powerful and influential families in Irish history.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Donnelly can be found in the "Annals of Ulster," a historical chronicle that documents events in Ireland from the 5th to the 16th century. The Annals reference a "Donnell O'Donnelly" in the year 1211, who was described as a chieftain and leader of his clan.
In the 16th century, the Donnelly family played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars, where they supported the Catholic cause against English rule. One notable figure during this time was Phelim Donnelly, a military leader who fought alongside Owen Roe O'Neill in the battles of 1642-1649.
As the surname spread throughout Ireland, it also took on various spellings and variations, such as Donelly, Donnaly, and O'Donnelly. The name is also closely associated with the town of Ballybogan in County Tyrone, which was once a stronghold of the Donnelly clan.
In later centuries, several individuals with the surname Donnelly made notable contributions in various fields. Here are a few examples:
1. Ignatius Donnelly (1831-1901), an American politician, writer, and promoter of the "Atlantis theory," which suggested that the lost city of Atlantis was once located in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Dorothy Donnelly (1880-1928), an American playwright and lyricist, best known for her work in Broadway musicals such as "Blossom Time" and "The Student Prince."
3. Eleanor Donnelly (1838-1917), an American philanthropist and educator, who founded the Donnelly College in Kansas City, Missouri, which was one of the first institutions of higher education for women in the region.
4. Thomas Donnelly (1887-1949), an Irish-American artist and illustrator, known for his works depicting scenes from Irish folklore and mythology.
5. Andrew Donnelly (1847-1935), an Irish-American labor leader and activist, who played a significant role in the establishment of the Knights of Labor, one of the earliest labor unions in the United States.
The surname Donnelly has a rich history and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields, reflecting the diverse contributions of those with this Irish name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Donnelly
Among Census respondents with the surname Donnelly, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Donnelly bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Donnelly surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Black or African American1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Donnelly surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,114 | #1,114 | 0.0% |
| Count | 31,505 | 31,505 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 10.68 | 10.68 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Donnelly bearers went from 31,505 to 31,505 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,114 to #1,114.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Donnelly
FAQ
Donnelly surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Donnelly?
The surname Donnelly holds position #1,114 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 36,606 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 10.68 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Donnelly surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Donnelly, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.