The surname Kelley is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic O’Ceallaigh, meaning “descendant of Ceallach”. The name was first recorded in County Galway and has since spread throughout Ireland and the world. Notable bearers include author and poet Jack Kerouac (born Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac), musician Gene Kelly, and astronaut Scott Kelly. The name has also been spelled as Kelly, Kellegher, and Kelligan. Today, it remains a popular surname, especially in the United States and Ireland.
