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O'Connell

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Connell, Gunning, Ó Conaill

 

Ó Conaill, ‘descendant of Conall’, comes from the personal name Conall, which most likely is derived from “Con”, meaning ‘hound’, and “gal”, meaning ‘valour’. The name was very popular, hence the surname arose in several distinct areas throughout the country – in provinces Connacht, Ulster and Munster. The Munster sept of the family was by far the most important, and was located in Kerry, Limerick and Cork. The name is now ranked as twenty fifth most numerous in Ireland, and is strongest in counties Cork and Kerry in the province of Munster.