In a message dated 10/10/98 5:43:46 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lb3657@juno.com writes: Dear Jan: My understanding of the different spelling of Kell(e)y is the same as your relative's -- Kelly = Catholic and Kelley = Protestant. Of course mistakes sure could have happened in recording the names. Adelle Kelly > I am told by my relative that to spell Kelley with just the 'y', indicates that the >bearer of the name was an Irish Catholic, and that the 'ey' ending indicates that > he/she was a Protestant Irishman, and no self-respecting Protestant > Kelley would allow the name to be spelled with just the Y. Is my elderly > relative imagining things? Or am I the only one who has never heard this > before?