Surname Kilcoyle - Meaning and Origin

Kilcoyle: What does the surname Kilcoyle mean?

The surname Kilcoyle is derived from the Gaelic term "Mac Giolla Choille," which translates to "son of the follower of Choille". Choille is an ancient Irish god and patron of farmers and shepherds.

The Kilcoyle surname originated in County Tipperary and County Kilkenny in Ireland, and the first recorded mention of the name dates back to the 12th century in County Meath.

Kilcoyle families were typically farmers or smallholders, and the name itself probably references farming activities such as ploughing and sowing. As farmers, many Kilcoyles served as stewards of the land and held prominent positions in their communities.

Today, the Kilcoyle surname remains common in both Tipperary and Kilkenny, and is also found in other counties throughout Ireland. It's also popular in Scotland, England, Wales, and across the globe in places such as Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Overall, the Kilcoyle surname is an enduring reminder of the Irish spirit and the tireless efforts of many Irish farmers and shepherds who shaped the history of the country. In its simplest form, the name symbolizes loyalty to God, hard work, and a great respect for the land.

Kilcoyle: Where does the name Kilcoyle come from?

The surname Kilcoyle is quite a rare name today. It originates from the ancient Irish Gaelic name 'O' Ceallachain' which means 'descendant of Ceallachain'. It is mostly found in the County of Galway in Ireland. The most common Kilcoyles in Ireland today live in counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon.

Kilcoyles emigrated to other countries, especially America, during the 19th century. Today there are large numbers of Kilcoyles living in the States, particularly in New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The Kilcoyle name has also spread to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Europe.

Kilcoyles are known to be creative, hardworking people who take great pride in their family and their roots. Any Kilcoyle, no matter where they are in the world, will take a great interest in their Irish origins and share a unique set of values, customs, dialects, and ways of life.

Due to the small numbers of Kilcoyles living in Ireland today, many members of the family have lost touch with their Irish past. But they continue to remain proud of their ancestors and keep their customs and traditions alive as much as they can, no matter where in the world they are today.

Variations of the surname Kilcoyle

The Kilcoyle surname has a variety of variant spellings, including Kelletter, Kilcolie, Kilcoller, Kilkolie, Killeller, Killette, Killetter, Koller, Kollette, and Kollie.

The surname may also have originated from the Mac Giolla Cholmáin family, an Irish group from Co. Leitrim and Co. Roscommon who share the same surname in its anglicized form. Other surnames derived from this family include MacKelley, Killelea, Kilcully, Kilcalee, Killeleery, and Kilcolleran.

The Kilcoyle name is found predominantly in Co. Mayo, Co. Roscommon, and Co. Leitrim in Ireland. It has spread to England, Scotland, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand through the migration of the Irish diaspora.

In Scotland, variants of the surname may derive from the name "Kelkyle," which is an anglicization of the Gaelic name "Ceallach," meaning "warrior or fighter." Variations of the name may also exist as a result of regional dialects or manually transcribed incorrect spelling resulting in surname variants such as Kilkile and Kilculle.

In the United States, the surname may have evolved from the German "Kelch" and the English "Kilker" and "Kilgore," which may be alternate spellings of Kilcoyle.

The meaning behind the surname Kilcoyle, may refer to a person who was descended from a chieftain or follower of a chief, and to a person who was a woodsman. A person from the town of Kilcullen may have adopted the name or could have been a descendant of another person who had settled close by Kilcullen.

Famous people with the name Kilcoyle

• Jordan Kilcoyle: Jordan Kilcoyle is a professional rally driver, competing in cars such as the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO. He was last seen driving a Ford Fiesta R5 in the British Rally Championship in 2017.
• Owen Kilcoyle: Owen Kilcoyle is an Irish professional boxer. He is currently in the super-middleweight division and is part of the Matchroom Boxing team. He currently holds the WBO European super-middleweight title.
• Colin Kilcoyle: Colin Kilcoyle is a Northern Irish comic and actor. He is best known for his roles in Irish television programs such as Mrs. Brown's Boys and Fair City.
• Patrick Kilcoyle: Patrick Kilcoyle is an Irish politician who served in the Seanad from 1993–2002. He also held the office of Cathaoirleach of the Seanad between 2002 and 2007.
• Declan Kilcoyle: Declan Kilcoyle is an Irish former footballer who played for clubs such as Stockport County, Swansea City and Newtown. He was also capped 13 times for the Republic of Ireland national team.
• Seamus Kilcoyle: Seamus Kilcoyle was an Irish politician and journalist. He was a founder member of the Irish Socialist Republican Party and served as the editor of several Irish nationalist newspapers. He was a staunch advocate of civil rights and social justice.
• Valerie Kilcoyle: Valerie Kilcoyle is an American equestrian show-jumper. She has been successfully competing in the US and International equestrian world for decades, placing in Grand Prix competitions and winning numerous National and International titles.

Other surnames

Kilcoyne