Clan Kelly is aScottish clan. The clan does not have achief recognised by theLord Lyon King of Arms, therefore the clan has no standing underScots Law. Clan Kelly is considered anarmigerous clan, meaning that it is considered to have had at one time a chief who possessed thechiefly arms, however no one at present is in possession of such arms. The only evidence for clan Kelly is a reference to Kelly of that ilk byAlexander Nisbet, whoblazoned thearmsor, asaltiresable between fourfleurs-de-lisazure.[1]
ThesurnameKelly has multiple different origins, with the name originating inEngland,Ireland andScotland. The clan name may be variant of Kelloe, a barony in the lands of Home inBerwickshire. There is also aKelloe in Durham and another inNorthumberland. An early Scottish bearer of the name was William de Kellaw, who wasbailiff toAlexander III in 1278. Another was Richard de Kellow, who is recorded in 1338 as a witness to a charter inRoxburghshire. The name is also found inFife andAngus in two place-names, for exampleKellie Castle. In 1378, John de Kelly wasAbbot at Arbroath. Another different group are the Mackellies ofGalloway andWigtownshire. These may likely be of "Celtic" descent.[1][2]
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