Surname Kellso - Meaning and Origin

Kellso: What does the surname Kellso mean?

The last name Kellso is a variant spelling of the Gaelic-Irish surname Ó Ceallacháin, which is composed of two elements: ceallach, meaning “contention,” and áin, meaning “noble.” This Irish name originated in County Mayo, where it was used as a variant of the Gaelic-Irish surname MacCeallachain, which roughly translates to “son of noble contention” or “noble son of contention.”

The surname Kellso first appeared and was used as is in America during the late 1800s, when a number of Irish immigrants adopted the Anglicized form of their Gaelic-Irish surname. Until then, some of the variants were Kells (without the o), Kellyso, Kellysson, and Kelsor. It is believed that the use of these surnames was related to the ways in which the immigrants thought their last names sounded within the English language.

Kellso is an uncommon surname in America, but it is an integral part of the Irish-American heritage. It is likely that the surname Kellso will continue evolving to adopt new variants, as time passes and more generations come and go.

Kellso: Where does the name Kellso come from?

Kellso is most common in the United States and Canada today. In the United States, the name was one of the hundred most common surnames in the 2000 census, with the highest concentration of the name in the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. In Pennsylvania, Kellso was the 60th most common surname.

In Canada, the name is most prevalent in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. According to the 2016 Canada Census, it was the 228th most common name in Ontario, with the highest concentration in the municipalities of Windsor, London, and Toronto. In Alberta, it was the 97th most common, most concentrated in northern Alberta cities such as Grande Prairie, Slave Lake, and Fort McMurray.

Kellso is one of the rarest surnames in the United Kingdom. It was not among the top five hundred most common surnames in the 2018 UK Census. Though its most common variant, Kelso, appears to be more common in Scotland, the name is still quite rare there as well. There have been few recordings of the surname in the United States before the 19th century, meaning it likely originated in Europe or elsewhere.

Variations of the surname Kellso

The surname Kellso has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin due to its Celtic heritage. These include Kelloe, Kellow, Kellough, Kellough, Kello, Kellon, Kelsoe, Kelsow, Kelsow, Kelser, O'Kellso, and Kellsa.

Kellso is derived from the Irish surname 'O'Ceallaigh', which was derived from the Gaelic word 'ceallach', meaning 'strife' or 'warring'. As a result, the surname is commonly found in areas where Gaelic culture is present.

In Ireland, the surname Kellso appears in County Donegal and also in Ulster. In Scotland, it is found mainly in the Scottish Islands and in the Scottish Highlands. Variations of the surname have also been found in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

The surnames O'Kellso and Kellsa are often seen in Scotland. Kellsa is believed to be derived from the Isle of Skye and O'Kellso is believed to be derived from County Cork.

Variations of Kellso can appear in many guises such as Kelser, Kelloway, Kelsow, Kelsoe, and Kello. These spellings and variants, however, have all evolved from the original Irish name that began the alliteration.

Thus, Kellso is a surname with a long and varied history, having many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that are found throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Kellso

• Cale Kellso: professional stuntman, actor, and director who has worked on shows such as Agents of SHIELD and The Big Bang Theory
• Laura Kellso: Actress, known for her appearances in the television shows Secrets and Lies and Chicago Fire
• Charles Kellso: Actor, known for his roles in Death Race, American Gothic, and Stephen King's The Dead Zone
• David Kellso: American musician and composer of contemporary classical music
• Barry Kellso: Saxophonist and composer, leader of several jazz groups, including the Barry Kellso Group
• Christian Kellso: Painter and photographer who works in the fields of portrait, landscape, and still life photography
• Aubrey Kellso: Writer and poet noted for his books of stories and books of verse
• Francis Kellso: Jazz bassist and an affiliate of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
• Giselle Kellso: Professional dancer, teacher and choreographer who has had notable appearances in music videos and television shows
• Gavin Kellso: Television presenter, best known for his work on the History Channel and Animal Planet

Other surnames

Kells