McNeely History

McNeely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Ireland

Etymology of McNeely

What does the name McNeely mean?

The original Gaelic form of McNeely was Mac an Fhailghigh, which is derived from the word failgheach, which means poor man.

Early Origins of the McNeely family

The surname McNeely was first found in counties Armagh and Monaghan (Irish: Muineachán) located in the Northern part of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient

McNeely Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the McNeely family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including McNally, McAnully, McAnalley, McAnally and others.

McNeely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins:

Ireland

Etymology of McNeely

What does the name McNeely mean?

The original Gaelic form of McNeely was Mac an Fhailghigh, which is derived from the word failgheach, which means poor man.

Early Origins of the McNeely family

McNeely Spelling Variations

McNeely Ranking

In the United States, the name McNeely is the 3,106th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name.

McNeely migration to the United States +

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the McNeely family in North America:

McNeely Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John McNeely, who is recorded in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania in 1831

John McNeely, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1831 2

J. B McNeely, who arrived in Texas in 1835

J B McNeely, who arrived in Texas in 1835 2

George McNeely, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 2

McNeely Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Bridget McNeely, aged 26, who landed in America from Donegal, in 1904

James McNeely, aged 22, who settled in America from Donegal, in 1904

Fannie McNeely, aged 55, who landed in America from Donegal, in 1906

Hattie S McNeely, who settled in America, in 1907

John McNeely, aged 22, who landed in America from Cloughbrack, Ireland, in 1907

McNeely migration to Canada +

McNeely Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Charles John McNeely, aged 23, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1910

Elizabeth McNeely, aged 55, who settled in Medicine Hat, Canada, in 1914

John McNeely, aged 58, who settled in Medicine Hat, Canada, in 1914

Contemporary Notables of the name McNeely (post 1700) +

Jim McNeely (1949-2025), American Grammy Award winning jazz composer, arranger, and pianist

Ammon McNeely (1970-2023), American rock climber, who held the most Speed Climbing World Records and First One Day Ascents on El Capitan in Yosemite; he died in an accident near Moab, Utah

Marian Kent Hurd McNeely (1877-1930), American children's book author, awarded the Newbery Honor in

1930 for her book Jumping-Off Place

Tyler McNeely (b. 1987), Canadian professional ice hockey player

Larry McNeely (b. 1948), American five-string banjo player, known for his work with Glen Campbell, Burl Ives and the Smothers Brothers

Clifton McNeely (1919-2003), American NBA basketball player and coach

George Earl McNeely (1898-1971), American Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1924 to 1931

Thompson Ware Mcneely (1835-1921), American politician, U.S. Representative from Illinois

Philip "Phil" McNeely, Canadian politician, Ontario MPP (2003-)

Joel McNeely (b. 1959), American Primetime Emmy Award winning music composer, known for his work on Holes (2003), The Avengers (1998) and Soldier (1998)