Kelly Family Tree research resources
Dig into the past of the Kelly Genealogy using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Family History !
 | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 32798 people with the Kelly surname? In that year Kelly was ranked number 96 for popularity in the UK. |
"Local: from the village of Kelly in Renfrewshire. "(The origin and signification of Scottish surnames. Clifford Stanley Sims, 1862)
Can we take a minute of your time?
This is our amazing granddaughter Ellie.
Ellie was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Spina Bifida is where the spine and spinal cord don't develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. This can cause a number of difficulties including weakness or paralysis of the legs. Many babies with Spina Bifida also develop Hydrocephalus which, as in Ellie's case, sometimes needs an operation to insert a tube that drains excess fluid from the brain.
Children like Ellie are supported by the Shine Charity who provide specialist advice and support for the children and their families. Shine relies on donations to do this essential work and, this year, Ellie's uncle Dave will be running in the London Marathon to raise money for Shine. Obviously, we realise that requesting complete strangers to donate money to the charity is a bit of an ask but, now that you've read this far, perhaps you would consider taking a little bit more of your time to make a small donation to this very worthy cause at Dave's JustGiving Page? Thank you!
1921 England and Wales Census records are now available!
On 6 January 2022 the 1921 England and Wales Census records were made available online via the FindMyPast website. The records have been indexed and are searchable via the usual methods. Initially, these records are only viewable on a pay-per-view basis and are not included in any of FindMyPast's existing subscriptions.
Kelly records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Kelly family tree. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
| Country Collection | |
|---|---|
 |
Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Kelly family. |
 |
Ancestry.com US records search results for the Kelly family. |
|
Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Kelly family. |
 |
Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Kelly family. |
 |
Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Kelly family. |
Historical References
"KELLY. From the lands of Kelly, near Arbroath, Angus. There is another Kellie near Pittenweem, Fife, but the references point to the former locality as the source of the surname. John de Kelly was abbot of Arbroath, 1373 (APS., i, p. 197). Waulter of Kvlle coming to the Scots hostages in England had a safe conduct in 1424 (Bain, rv, 961). David Celle was nineteenth abbot of Cambuskenneth, 1445-63. William Kelle held land in Kyntor, Aberdeenshire, 1498 (REA., i, p. 340), and James Kelle was notary public in diocese of St. Andrew, 1526 (CMN., 36). (2) A family named Kelle, long resident at Dunbar, apparently derived their name from an old spelling of KELLO, q.v., which hardened into a separate surname. Cudbert Kelle was tenant of Eistbamis of Dunbar, 1559 (ER., xix, p. 401), and rendered to Exchequer the accounts of the burgh of Dunbar, 1563 (ibid., p. 223). In 1590 Alexander Kellie was bailie of Dunbar (RFC., rv, p. 481). Captain John Kellie was retoured heir in certain lands in Berwickshire, 1659 (Retours, Berwick, 310), and Nicol Kellie was burgess of Dunbar, 1688 (RPC., 3. ser. xn, p. 253). (3) Convallus de Kelle, who witnessed an instrument of sasine of the lands of Memys and Netherpollok, 1454 (Pdttok, i, p. 176), most probably derived his name from the lands of Kelly in the parish of Innerkip, Renfrewshire (mentioned in the reign of James in). (4) A surname found in Galloway. For origin see under MACKELLY. "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. A DNA test can sometimes help to make a link to a particular family name if you find you share common DNA with people who have the same or similar surnames as each other. If you are lucky then you may get a match within a few generations and discover some Kelly ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Kelly Tree?
Visit our Kelly DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Kelly Family Tree
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Kelly Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources below you will be able to find a birth record and, from that, a birth certificate can be ordered which lists the names of the mother and father, taking you back another generation in your tree. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Kelly family tree.
Search Kelly Parish Records at Find My Past.
Study the UK registered births, marriages and deaths of the Kelly family using the FreeBMD database.
Investigate Genealogy Bank for Kelly family records.
Search MyHeritage for Kelly family data.
Check out the LDS Database for records of the Kelly family.
Research the Kelly surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Kelly Military records.
| Did you know that there are currently 74527 people with the Kelly surname in the UK? Kelly is now ranked number 50 for popularity in the UK. |
Kelly Family History Databases
Study WikiTree for user contributed Kelly family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Kelly data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Explore MyTrees for information on the Kelly family and people looking to contact living Kelly relations.
Check out GENi for Kelly family records.
Find your Irish Kelly relatives on findmypast.ie
Kelly Forums
Research the Kelly surname using Genealogy.com forums .
| Did you know that there are currently 309901 people with the Kelly surname in the USA? Kelly is ranked number 62 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Kelly Databases
Explore the Ellis Island Database for information on the Kelly family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Kelly surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.
Some people with the surname Kelly
Aebh Alan Alexander Alex Andrew Andy Angela Anthony Anthony-noel Arthur Aub Barbara Barry Ben Bert Bill Billy Bob Bo Brian Bryan Carla Carson Casey Cassandra Cathy Catriona Charles Chip Chris Clare Clinton Craig Damaen Damon Dan Daniel Darren Dave David Dean De-anne Dennis Des Don Dorothy Eddie Ed Edward Ellison Emmett Eoin Eric Erin Errington Eugene Felix Fenwick Frances Francis Frank Fred Garry Gene Geoffrey George Gerald Grace Graham Guy Harvey Helen Henry Hetty Howard Hugh Isabel Jack James Janet Jenny Jerry Jim Jimmy Joachim Joe Joey John-edward John Jonathan Jon Joseph Josh Judy Kareem Kasi Kate Katherine Kathy Kelly Ken Kenneth Kevin Khalid Kick Kim King Kirk Larry Laurie Leo Leon Leslie Lisa Lorna Lorraine Lucius Luke Luther Lynne Machine Marilyn Mark Martin Mary Matthew Max Megyn Mel Michael Michelle Mickey Mike Moira Morley Nancy Ned Neil Nikki Noel Nora Norman Norm Oliver Otto Paddy Pat Patrick Patsy Paula Paul Pete Peter Phil Ray Raymond Red Renee Ren Richard Rick Rita Robert Roberto Robin Ron Ross Russell Sam Sandra Scott Seamus Sean Shipwreck Skip Stefan Stephen Terry Thomas Tim Tommy Tony Tori Toss Trent Ty Vance William Wynton
Ask a Question
Looking for information on a Kelly in your family tree? Why not post a question here -