Surname Kilbey - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kilbey: What does the surname Kilbey mean?
The surname Kilbey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from a place name. It is believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived by a kiln or an occupational name for a kiln worker. The suffix "-bey" is possibly a variant of "by", an Old Norse word meaning "village" or "settlement", which was used in Northern England. Therefore, Kilbey may represent a localization, essentially pointing to a place where a kiln is a significant landmark. As with many surnames, variations in the spelling of the last name happened over centuries based on factors like illiteracy, different languages spoken in communities, and evolution of languages over time. Some of the various forms include Kilby, Kilbie, Kilbee, Killbey, etc. The surname is found widely throughout England, particularly in areas of Viking settlement. Note that the exact origin and meaning of the surname can differ based upon regional, familial, and historical contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisKilbey: Where does the name Kilbey come from?
The surname Kilbey is of English origin, derived from a geographical locality, 'of Kilby,' a parish in county Leicester, England. Kilby is also a village and civil parish in South Leicestershire, which may have potentially given birth to this surname. The village name itself is believed to be of Nordic origin, with 'kil' referring to a narrow creek or inlet, and 'by' to a farm or settlement. Therefore, the name could refer to those who lived by a creek.
Today, the last name Kilbey is most common in England, particularly in the regions of its origin. It is also reasonably common in Australia, the United States, and Canada, due to historical waves of migration. Its popularity grew in Australia partly due to Steve Kilbey, the lead singer of popular Australian band The Church. Despite this, it remains a relatively uncommon surname overall.
It should be noted that like many surnames that have existed for centuries, variations in the spelling can also occur, including Kilby, Kilbie, Killby, etc. Always consider these variations when conducting genealogical research.
Variations of the surname Kilbey
The surname Kilbey is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name derived from places found in England, such as Kilby in Leicestershire or Kilbourn in Derbyshire. The origin is from Old Norse "keld" (spring) or "kill" (stream) combined with "by" (farm or settlement).
Over the years, the name has evolved into different variations based on regional dialects and phonetic spellings. The most common variants of Kilbey include Kilby, Kilbie, Kilbey and Kilbourn. Some less common or anglicized variations could be Kilbourne, Kelby, Kelbie or Celby.
Occasionally, the spelling may also include an extra 'e' (Kilbey, Kilbey, Kelby, Kellbey), 'a' (Kalbey, Kalby) or 'o' (Kolbey, Kolby, Kolbourne) or even sometimes with 'u' (Kulby, Kulbey). The plural form, referring to more than one family or settlement, may add an 's' (Kilbeys, Kilbies, Kelbies, Kilbourns).
Surnames that are possibly related, due to a common geographical or etymological root, could include Kelsey, Kelton, and Kelso, which also combine a water related term with 'by'. However, the direct link with Kilbey is not confirmed.
Note that, the variants could potentially increase with geographic dispersion of the family, changes in language over time, and the influence of other cultures.
Famous people with the name Kilbey
- Steve Kilbey: Australian musician and songwriter, best known as the frontman, principal songwriter and bassist in the rock group The Church.
- Kelly Kilbey: American actress and fitness personality, best known as a member of MTV's The Buried Life.
- C. J. Kilbey: English actress and writer, best known for portraying Bex Fisher in the British comedy-drama Tracy Beaker Returns.
- Chris Kilbey: English bassist and vocalist for the band The Gallery.
- David Kilbey: Australian industrial designer and architect, best known for creating the Sydney Opera House.
- Andrew Kilbey: Australian actor and Playwright, best known for his role as Alan a character on the Australian Universal Pictures for television series Crash Zone.
- Richard Kilbey: English television presenter and producer, best known for presenting Grand Designs on Channel 4.
- Everett Kilbey: American singer-songwriter and musical artist most known for his work with the band The Kilbey’s.
- Sammy Kilbey: English singer-songwriter and musician, best known for her roles in bands such as The Pipettes and Stereo Total.
- Kier Kilbey: Australian professional rugby league player who played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.