Surname Keiller - Meaning and Origin

Keiller: What does the surname Keiller mean?

The surname Keiller is of Scottish origin and is believed to derive from an occupational name for a craftsman who made utensils, particularly large tubs and vats. The name Keiller is thought to specifically refer to a "maker of kyles" or "kyles" in old Scots language, a term used for large wooden tubs or vessels. The kyle maker, or keiller, would have been an essential artisan in many aspects of medieval Scottish life, contributing to work in industries such as brewing, food storage, and more. Given this information, the last name Keiller seems to be closely associated with craftsmanship and industriousness. There is also a notable family named Keiller in Scotland who are renowned for inventing and producing the first commercial marmalade in the city of Dundee in the 18th century.

Keiller: Where does the name Keiller come from?

The surname Keiller is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "MacGilleEathain" which means son of the servant of Saint John. The name became Anglicized over time to its current form. Notably, the name was borne by the Keiller family of Dundee, Scotland who famously originated the first commercially sold version of marmalade in the 18th century.

Today, the surname is still most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in and around the Dundee region. Beyond Scotland, the distribution of the Keiller surname has been influenced by patterns of Scottish emigration, meaning that there are also concentrations of people with this surname in countries like England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite this, it remains a relatively rare surname worldwide.

Variations of the surname Keiller

The surname Keiller originates from Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic "MacGille Iosa," meaning "Son of the Servant of Jesus." Throughout the years, the translation has gone through several changes, leading to many variations and spelling alterations.

Common variations of the surname Keiller include Kellar, Keller, Kelleher, Kelher, Keeler, Keillor, Keiller, MacKellar, MacKeller, and Maciller.

MacKellar and MacKeller are prefixes with "Mac," meaning son of in Gaelic, presenting the direct lineage from the "Son of the Servant of Jesus." Keeler and Keillor are popular versions that have transitioned from the original Gaelic translation.

These variabilities in spelling have occurred due to early recordings of the name by clerks and priests. Over time, these spellings have been anglicised, leading to even broader variations. For instance, Kelleher is more modern, anglicised version that is common in Ireland. On the other hand, Keiller is more prevalent in Scotland.

Keiller is also used as a first name, more commonly within the Scottish region. However, no matter the variation or spelling, the name's origin and meaning remain unchanged.

Famous people with the name Keiller

• Sir Alexander Keiller: businessman, archaeologist and museum founder
• Catherine Keiller: Scottish theatre and film actor
• David Keiller: voice actor and sound designer
• Derek Keiller: World Wildlife Fund wildlife biologist active in the tropics
• John Keiller: Scottish poet
• Jordan Keiller: American actor, writer, producer, and director
• Laird Keiller: Scottish actor
• Mary Keiller: British soldier and adventurer
• Michael Keiller: Scottish-born American poet
• Robert Keiller: Scottish businessman and entrepreneur

Other surnames

KeillKeillor