How common is the Keeley surname?

There are approximately 28,000 people with the surname Keeley in the United States.

Are there Keeley soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 161 soldiers with the Keeley surname appear in Civil War records.

Keeley

Q: What does the surname Keeley mean?

The surname Keeley means "Descendant of Caolaidh, derived from Irish elements meaning 'slender' or 'narrow'.". It is of Irish origin.

Patronymic

Meaning

Descendant of Caolaidh, derived from Irish elements meaning 'slender' or 'narrow'.

Etymology

The surname comes from the Irish Ó Caolaidh, with Keeley being an anglicized form. The Irish root caol means slender or narrow, with -aidh as a diminutive suffix.

About the Keeley Surname

An Irish surname with descriptive origins referring to physical characteristics. The name has spread widely through Irish emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 28,000 bearers in the United States #723 most common surname

Rare Common

Common in Ireland and present in significant numbers in the United States, Australia, and other English-speaking nations.

Keeley Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Keeley Surname

John F. Keeley

Quick Facts

Origin: Irish
Classification: Patronymic
Earliest Record: 17th century
Estimated Bearers: 28,000

War Records

161 soldiers with the Keeley surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →