Surname Kielty - Meaning and Origin
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Kielty: What does the surname Kielty mean?
The last name Kielty is of Irish origin, derived from the old Irish name Ó Coileáin, which means descendant of Coileáin. The earliest known direct ancestor of this surname was a Gaelic princess and the daughter of the last high prince of Ulster, Cathbadh, also known as Cadhla.
In Gaelic, the name Kielty translates to "son of Coileáin.” It is a relatively common surname in the Northern Ireland region and is derived from the ancient clan of Uí Néill.
Over time, the Kielty surname has become dispersed among Ireland and Great Britain, with its derivatives also being found in continental Europe.
Today the Kielty name is mainly associated with Northern Ireland as well as East Galway and South Counties Derry, Tyrone and Louth in the Republic of Ireland. Outside of Ireland, the surname is mainly found in Scotland, Canada and the United States.
The coat of arms for the family is a white shield depicting a red fleur-de-lis, which is symbolic of strength and courage. The crest is an ornate gold helmet with a beaver as the crest signifying the family's loyal and steadfast character.
Throughout the centuries, Kielty bearers have been known for their loyalty, courage and strength of character. Today, the Kielty family lives on with many carrying the name into the future.
Order DNA origin analysisKielty: Where does the name Kielty come from?
The last name Kielty is most commonly found in Ireland, where it originated centuries ago. It was first found in County Galway, located in the western part of the country. The surname is most populous in the Irish provinces of Leinster and Connacht, particularly in the counties of Cavan, Mayo and Galway, but is found throughout the country. According to statistics, Kielty is the 1,200th most popular surname in the world, and ranks within the top eight percent of Irish surnames.
Kielty has been a common surname in the United States since early Irish immigrants brought the name with them to the country in the 19th century. The surname is particularly commonplace in the American states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, all of which have large Irish-American populations.
Additionally, it is also found in other countries around the world as a result of emigration from Ireland. Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom all boast populations of Kieltys. Such countries may have seen an influx of Irish immigrants over the past few decades, leading to increased numbers of the name Kielty.
The majority of people bearing the name Kielty still call the Emerald Isle home. However, due to centuries of immigration caused by political unrest, poverty and famine, large populations of the surname can be found across the globe.
Variations of the surname Kielty
Kielty is a surname of Irish origin. It is related to the Irish Gaelic surname Mac an Fhilidh and is derived from the personal name Céadag, which is in turn derived from the Gaelic phrase céad aidhme, meaning “first mortise”. The name is found in Ulster, especially in Donegal, where it is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac an Fhilidh. Variations in spelling of the Kielty surname include Kealty and Kealt, as well as Kealtee and Kealtye. Other surnames of similar origin include Mac an Fhilidh, MacPhilip and MacPhilips.
The Kielty spelling may also be used as a variation of the longer McCarthy surname. This variation is typically found in the United States. Surnames of a similar origin include McCarty, McCardie, McCardle, McCardwell and McCardel.
Finally, variations of the Kielty surname may also be found outside Ireland or the United States. In Germany, the Kielty name may be spelled Keilty, and in Scotland and England, the name may be spelled Keelty or Kealty.
Famous people with the name Kielty
- Cat Deeley: British model, televisión host and actress
- Sean Kielty: Irish actor
- Daniel Kielty: Australian poet and academic
- Eoin Kielty: Irish chiefSuperintendent
- Mark Kielty: American politician
- Joe Kielty: Professional footballer in Ireland
- Larry Kielty: Canadian ice hockey player
- C.J. Kielty: American film director
- M.K. Kielty: American folk singer and songwriter
- Jim Kielty: former American college football player