The Irish surname Conley is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Conghaile, meaning ‘descendant of Conghal’, a name meaning ‘hound valiant’ or of Ó Conghalaigh, meaning ‘descendant of Conghalach’, a derivative of Conghal; the two surnames have long been confused. Another possible origin is the West Cork name Mac Coingheallaigh (or Ó Coingheallaigh) ‘son (or ‘descendant’) of Coingheallach’, a personal name meaning ‘faithful to pledges’.