Conley

Conley from O′Conghaile or [1] Ó Conghalaigh (“hound valiant”) is a surname of Irish or Manx origin.

The anglicized forms Conneely, Connealy, and Cunneely emerged due to the loss of the "gh" sound, which lengthened the second syllable of Conghal.

In Connacht, these forms are often shortened from McNeilly, derived from Mac Conghaile.

Alternatively, it could be a compound name from Old Irish cond ("intellect," "mind," or "king") or cenn ("head, chief") and ley, an Anglo-Norman term for "field, meadow, or forest clearing."

Conley is a variant spelling of Connelly, Connley, and Connolly.