Surname Kildare - Meaning and Origin
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Kildare: What does the surname Kildare mean?
Kildare is an Irish surname derived from the town of the same name located in County Kildare. The area is derived from the Gaelic Cill Dara, which means ‘church of the oak’, referring to the pre-Christian Druidic worship where sacred rituals were usually performed around oak trees. Traditionally, the chief or leader of a tribe in Ireland was known as The O’Kildare, meaning “descendant of the Lord of Kildare”.
Today, Kildare families are mainly found in County Kildare and the surrounding areas. This Irish surname is found in varying spellings: Kildare, Kildaire, and Killdare, to name a few.
Kildare is also a common place name within England, Scotland, and Wales, and is believed to be derived from an Old English word related to the meaning of a “magpie”, which was probably once associated with a local area.
No matter the origin, the Kildare surname carries a certain sense of history with it, invoking thoughts of ancient oak trees, sacred druidic ceremonies, and tribal leaders. Kildare families are often proud of their Irish heritage and will often help to carry on the traditions of the past.
Order DNA origin analysisKildare: Where does the name Kildare come from?
The last name Kildare is most commonly found originating from the province of Kildare, Ireland. It is also occasionally found in the United States, Canada, England, Wales, and Scotland.
Kildare is an Anglicized version of the Irish name Cill Dara, meaning ‘church of the oak’. The province of Kildare and the surrounding areas have been historically populated by individuals of Irish-Gael origin, the O’Dempseys, O’Tooles, and O’Connors.
Individuals with the de Kildare surname derived from the Norman freeman, Gilbert de Kildare, who was granted the manor of Kildare in 1210. The Kildare name was adopted by other families of Irish-Gaelic origin and was used by many Anglo-Norman families in Southern Ireland.
Many descending from the province of Kildare—and elsewhere—immigrated to other countries. In the United States, for example, the population of individuals with the surname ‘Kildare’ is largely concentrated in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio, as well as in many of the central states and the south.
The population of Kildare immigrants is highest in the United States with an estimated 10,000 people in 2020. Canada, England, Wales, and Scotland follow with a lesser concentration of Kildare lineage, each having population estimates of around 500 to 1,000 people.
Variations of the surname Kildare
Kildare is an Anglo-Irish surname first recorded in 1180 in Kildare, Ireland. It is derived from the name of the town and the Irish word “Cill”, meaning church. Variants of the name include Kilday, Kildair, Kildarry, Kildary and Kildore. Spellings may include Kildara, Kildarra, Cildara and Cildore. Common surnames of the same origin are KilDay, McIlDare, O'KilDore, McIlDarey, McIlDorry, Kilde and Kildai.
The various spellings and surnames of the same origin are all derived from the same root words and can be traced back to the same Irish place name. It is believed that the surname “Kildare” could have originated with an ancestor who came from the area around the town of Kildare, Ireland.
Variants of the surname are common throughout Ireland and Scotland, while the spellings are more common in England. It is also found in many other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Kildare is an identifiable surname and can still be found in a variety of contexts today. It is widely used as a first name, and can be found in many places and contexts, including in artwork, literature, headlines, films, and songs.
Famous people with the name Kildare
- Richard Chamberlain: Actor known for his lead role as Dr. Kildare in the 1960s television show, Dr. Kildare.
- Finola Hughes: British-American actress and television host who starred in Dr. Kildare with Richard Chamberlain.
- Thomas F Dominican, SJ: Former president of Georgetown University who was born in Kildare, Ireland.
- Kay Kilday: Irish author known for her works including "The Cats in Kildare".
- Daisy Kildare: British actress known for her role in the 2006 film, "The Empire of Light".
- Uni Kildare: American fashion designer and model from New York City.
- Jessie Kildare: Contestant on the reality series "Piratas del Famosísimo Caribe".
- Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone: Irish rebel who was born in Kildare, Ireland.
- Brian O'Neill: Irish politician and Teachta Dála (TD) for Kildare South.
- Emily Kildare: American stand-up comedian and actor who is a co-host in the podcast, "Emily and Her Radio Show".