Surname Kiley - Meaning and Origin

Kiley: What does the surname Kiley mean?

The surname Kiley is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Cadhla, which means "descendant of Cadhla." The given name Cadhla refers to a companion or servant, and it can also mean "attractive" or "graceful". It was frequently used in early Ireland as a personal name and has since evolved into various forms such as Kealy, Kealey, Keily, Kiley, and so on. Therefore, those bearing the surname Kiley can trace their ancestry back to Ireland. As with many Irish surnames, Kiley may also be associated with specific regions in Ireland. However, due to migration and diaspora over centuries, people with this surname are now found worldwide. Please note that the interpretation of surnames can vary widely as they have evolved over centuries and have often been altered to adapt to different languages and phonetic structures.

Kiley: Where does the name Kiley come from?

The surname Kiley is originated from Ireland. It is a variant of the Irish surname Ó Céileachair, which means "companion-dear" or "companion-dearer". The Irish prefix "Ó" denotes "descendant of," suggesting that the Kiley lineage descends from a person who was cherished or beloved. The surname is most common in Ireland and its diaspora, especially in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is often found with various spellings due to the phonetic transcription of the Irish language into English, such as Keely, Keiley, Keeley and many others. Today, it is distributed across many regions, however, it remains more common in countries with a considerable Irish diaspora.

Variations of the surname Kiley

The surname Kiley is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "O Cadhla" which means "graceful" or "beautiful." There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this name. Some of these include Keiley, Kiely, Kelly, Keely, Keeley, Kelleher, and Kelliher.

The name can also be spelled as Kylie, Kile, Kyly, and Kileigh. The variation of the name is often due to regional dialects and transcription errors. Another common cause is the Anglicisation of Irish names during the 17th and 18th centuries - when many Irish people emigrated to other English-speaking countries, their names were often recorded in a phonetic version by English-speaking officials.

The surname Kiley is common in Ireland, particularly in the southern counties of Clare, Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary. However, due to emigration, it can now be found in many countries around the world such as the United States, Australia, and Canada.

It's quite common for Irish surnames to be prefixed with "O" or "Mac," which respectively mean "descendant of" and "son of." Therefore, O'Kiley, O'Kiely, MacKiley, and Mackeiley could potentially be other variations of the same surname. However, the usage of these prefixes may vary and may not always apply.

Famous people with the name Kiley

• John Kiley: Musician who has worked with many international singers and bands, including Elton John, R.E.M., and Gotye.
• Gerry Kiley: Former professional football player for the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers.
• Tim Kiley: Former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
• Catherine Kiley: Author and television personality who has written novels such as 'Chambers of the Heart' and 'Imaginary Friends'.
• Dave Kiley: Irish comedian and actor best known for his stand-up comedy routine and his appearances as a judge on 'Irish Dancing With The Stars.'
• Shannon Kiley: Professional race car driver who has won multiple championships and races, most notably the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in 2010 and 2011.
• Jessica Kiley: Actress who starred in films such as 'Takers' and 'Johnny English Reborn'.
• Patrick Kiley: Musician and vocalist best known for being the lead singer of the heavy metal band Armageddon.
• Zach Kiley: Professional skateboarder whose unique style of skating has earned him multiple titles on the pro circuit.
• Ben Kiley: Award-winning journalist and writer whose work has been featured in publications such as The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The Atlantic.

Other surnames

KileKileenyKiles