Surname Kilderry - Meaning and Origin
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Kilderry: What does the surname Kilderry mean?
The surname Kilderry is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cill" (which translates to "church") and the Old Norse personal name "Dagry". Together, these two elements create the meaning "church of Dagry." This combination denotes a family origin story of a Christian believer who built or had a church dedicated to the Norse saint Dagry.
In the centuries since, the Kilderry surname has become common in parts of Ireland, England, Scotland, and continental Europe. It is often associated with Irish families who settled in Scotland, and with Scottish families who moved to Ireland. Those of modern Irish descent have a shared origin story with many other names containing the word “ceall” or “cill”.
In recent years, Kilderry has come to have a unique significance through its presence in popular culture. Most notably, the character Ryan Kilderry in the TV show Shameless was a gang leader in a South Side Chicago neighborhood. The depiction no doubt resonates with those familiar with the name and its origins.
Kilderry, in all its forms, is a name that speaks of strong roots, perseverance, and, above all, a passionate devotion to faith and family.
Order DNA origin analysisKilderry: Where does the name Kilderry come from?
The last name Kilderry is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the 2018 US Census, it is estimated that there are just under 400 Kilderry households in the US, mostly in the midwestern and northeastern regions of the country. In total, Kilderry households make up around 0.00014% of the total population in the US.
The Kilderry family is believed to have originated from Ireland, likely due to its Gaelic origin, with the prefix "Kil" meaning "church." The surname was likely adopted by families living in or close to a church, although other theories claim the prefix is derived from the root word "cill," which can mean either "cell," "border," or "speech."
The name is also found throughout Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. In areas such as the United Kingdom, the name is typically spelled as "Kilderry," with the "c" typically omitted–however, there are a few instances where the "c" is included in spelling.
As one of the more rare surnames, Kilderry is an uncommon name today, but that doesn't remove its impact or familiarity, especially to those in the same family. It is a surname that serves as a reminder of people's past and heritage, and is likely to continue roaming between countries for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Kilderry
The surname Kilderry is believed to have originated in Scotland and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are:
Kildary, Kilderie, Kildry, Kildrie, Kildrae, Kilday, Kildrie, Kilderby, Kildary, Kildrie, Kildry, Kildayan, Kildaryan, and Kilderry.
Kilderry is also known by a variety of spelling variations including Kildary, Kildrie, Kildry, Kildrae, Kilday, Kildarie, and Kilderry. These variations come from the original Scottish spelling of the surname and can be attributed to the wide range of dialects and regional accents of English that were found in Scotland so many years ago.
The variations of the surname can also be attributed to the translation process when familiesathered Scotland for other lands such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. In those cases, the spellings of the surname have likely changed in the new language and within the new immigration country.
The surname Kilderry became well known in Scotland and throughout Europe, particularly in the 16th and 17th century when migration to the new world increased. The people with this name spread out to various parts of the world, resulting in the numerous variant spellings of the name. Today, it is found primarily in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Kilderry
- Emma Kilderry: An Australian actress known for her roles in films such as The Water Diviner and Last Cab to Darwin.
- Dean Kilderry: A former NBA player who played from 1984 to 1992 for the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Bullets.
- Fergus Kilderry: A singer-songwriter from Ireland who has released two albums.
- Alex Kilderry: A British artist who works in a wide variety of media, such as painting, sculpture, and installation.
- Francesca Kilderry: An American actress who has appeared in films such as Cowboys & Aliens and The Notebook.
- Ruan Kilderry: An Irish race car driver who has competed in European Le Mans Series and International GT Open.
- Gavin Kilderry: A British actor and author of children's books, known for the series Welcome to Horrorland.
- Adam Kilderry: A New Zealand-born film editor who has worked on films such as The Hobbit and King Kong.
- Michael Kilderry: A Canadian harmonica player, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Rick Kilderry: An American saxophone player and composer, best known for his involvement in the jazz-rock fusion genre.