Megan Kelly Professor Lynn M, Raymond UWRT 1203, 1 October 2015 ‘There's No “E” in Kelly ‘Some people would scoff upon finding out the spelling over my last name, others would smile and ask the question I savor every time, “Are you Irish?” My answer would always be yes to the latter, and to the former I would apologize that my name was not spelled in what is inerally assumed to be a more English way, Kelley. It seems to be such a petty crime to many ‘of us born and raised in America, teasing someone over their last names, but as I've learned of ‘s0 much deeper than the prideful traditions of the Irish and English, I've realized that expected, the interrogation over the lack of my “E” is just another way for people to either instil long-held anti-Irish sentiments through a condescending glance or, as I so do prefer, a way for me to bond with other history and genealogy nerds. Idon’t think this would happen with other last names, typically, as Kelly is actually the second most common surname in Ireland (right behind Murphy) (Murphy). What is especially unique about this is that, according to data, Kelly has held this position since 1890 atleast, likely dating back much further (Murphy). This means that if any well-read Englishmen (as we may find that so many are) still held prejudice, this prejudice would be easily targeted toward something as common as the name “Kelly.” It's a minor thing, of course, and not something I find offensive. Rather, I welcome these ideas and gain more cultural knowledge in the process. “The only reason I find any of this strange at all n fact, considering othe last names are muchKelly 2 more likely to draw negative attention, is due tothe fact that my ancestors did not change their last name to a more English spelling that would draw less scrutiny. My dad, when naming me, said that he wanted me to have an Irish name that was deceptively English in tone. Megan Ryan Kelly. I never quite understood his reasoning but cherished my name as a kid all the same, thinking it to be something beautiful and well-respected in my family. Having grown now, | like to think I understand not only why he did that but a universal truth about the Kellys before me as a whole. They held pride. They hold pride. The name was passed through generations, untampered, and more of my Kelly relatives have Irish names, Glenn, for example, passed all through my family, being the middle name of both my dad and his father, and likely the names of fathers before them. So, no, I do not spell my name “with an e,” (yes, I do realize there is an “e” following the “k” but that is how I've heard it worded most often). Forever attached to my spirit, ingrained by ‘my father’s encouragements of pride in who I am and who my family was, I will always lack an “e.” This has given me an interest since in Irish music, culture, and language, which is now a huge part of my free time and a facet of my personality as a whole. Who knows, though. If I marry, Ijust may have to do the Kelly clan justice and get a hyphenated surname with my beloved. (709003 | 5Works Cited Murphy, Sean J. Survey of Irish Surnames 1992-97 (2009): n. pag. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.