Origin & Meaning of the Mcnelly Surname
What does the last name Mcnelly mean?
The surname Mcnelly carries the meaning "Son of Mcnelly." It is derived from the Gaelic language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,526 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Mcnelly ranks as the #18,227 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Mcnelly come from?
The Mcnelly surname has its roots in Irish/Scottish heritage. Names of Irish/Scottish origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Mcnelly name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Mcnelly trace back to Gaelic. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Mcnelly |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Son of Mcnelly |
| Origin | Irish/Scottish |
| Language | Gaelic |
| US Rank (2010) | #18,227 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,526 |
| Per 100K People | 0.52 |
| First Letter | M |
Ethnic Distribution of Mcnelly
According to the US Census, the Mcnelly surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,526 Americans with the Mcnelly last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 91.22% |
| Black | 3.15% |
| Hispanic | 2.56% |
| Two or More Races | 1.7% |
Popularity of Mcnelly Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Mcnelly surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Mcnelly surname increased by 3 between 2000 and 2010.
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- ✓ The Mcnelly coat of arms & heraldry
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Similar Surnames to Mcnelly
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Mcnelly.
Other Irish/Scottish Surnames
Explore more surnames with Irish/Scottish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Irish/Scottish origin as Mcnelly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mcnelly
Top Surnames Starting with M
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter M, ranked by population.
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