Surname Kilfeather - Meaning and Origin
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Kilfeather: What does the surname Kilfeather mean?
The surname Kilfeather is derived from the Irish O Cadhla, which is derived from the early Gaelic "Cadhla" which translates to a name meaning "graceful one". The name was commonly used to refer to a person who was particularly graceful and attractive.
In terms of the etymology of the name, it has its roots in ancient Irish Gaelic, and dates all the way back to the 6th century. There were multiple variations of the surname, such as Kilfeather, Kilfether, and MacCoilfeadair. The “Mac” prefix is a patronymic irish prefix which is commonly used to name those with family lineage.
Notably, the Kilfeather family was quite prosperous in Ireland during the 19th century. They were known to have been powerful figures involved in politics and land ownership. The name has become particularly associated with the County Monaghan region of Ireland.
As a whole, the Kilfeather name has become a symbol of strength, grace, and prosperity in Ireland and beyond, and those who carry the name are proud of its heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKilfeather: Where does the name Kilfeather come from?
The last name Kilfeather is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in areas like County Sligo, Wicklow, and Donegal. It is believed to have originated in Sligo, with records going back as far as 1600. Other parts of Ireland with Kilfeathers include Kildare, Cavan, Limerick, and Waterford.
In recent years, Kilfeathers have also spread to other parts of the world. In the United States, Kilfeather last names are most often found on the east coast and Midwest. This includes states like New York, Maryland, Michigan, and Massachusetts. Canada is also home to many Kilfeathers, across provinces likeOntario and Nova Scotia.
Most Kilfeathers still trace their roots back to Sligo in Ireland. They are connected to the Tuatha de Danann, a mythological people who lived on earth before the arrival of the Celts. Kilfeathers have a very proud Irish heritage, as they are connected to the powerful creatures of the Tuatha de Danann.
Finally, there are many descendants of the Kilfeather family who make their homes outside of Ireland and North America, such as Australia and New Zealand. Throughout the world, Kilfeathers are known for their strong Irish heritage and loyalty.
Variations of the surname Kilfeather
Kilfeather is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin thought to originate from the name Mac Giolla Féithir, which translates to ‘son of the devotee of St. Féithir’. The name is commonly spelt as Kilfeather, but can also be seen as Kilfether, Kilfethery, Kilfethir and other variations, including the anglicized version MacKilfether. The surname is also found in Scotland and in some cases is connected with the clan MacFhearghais, meaning ‘son of the angry man’.
The surname has a number of variant spellings that are derived from different Irish and Scottish dialects not all of which are still in use today. Examples of these spellings include Kilfaidir, Kilfie, Kilfady, Kilfee, Kilfey, Kilfeyer, Kilfether, Kilffer, Kiffer and even Gilfether.
The Irish variant of the surname is often seen as Mac Giolla Féithir, which is a patronymic name that translates directly to ‘son of the devotee of St Féithir’. In Scotland, the variant takes the form of Mac Kilfether or Mac Pheather, which means ‘son of the fair man’.
The anglicized version of Kilfeather is often known as MacKilfether, although the original Irish form of the surname is likely to be Mac Giolla Féithir or Mac Féithir. The surname is also sometimes seen in its shortened form – MacKilfether.
It is also possible that some of the variants of Kilfeather, such as Kilfaidir, Kilfie and Kilfady, could be alternatives to the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Féithir, as they all translate directly to ‘son of the devotee of St Féithir’.
All in all, Kilfeather is a distinct Irish and Scottish surname of Gaelic origin that has several variant spellings derived from regional dialects. The meaning of the surname is often linked to devotion to St. Féithir, or ‘the fair man’.
Famous people with the name Kilfeather
- Lt. Terry Kilfeather, Irish Republican Army leader
- Vincent Kilfeather, Irish poet
- Mark Kilfeather, Canadian football player
- Jack Kilfeather, American baseball player
- Terence Kilfeather, member of the Australian Parliament
- Kevin Kilfeather, Irish Gaelic footballer
- Arthur Kilfeather, Irish fiddle player
- David Kilfeather, former British soldier
- Christina Kilfeather, Irish television actress
- Richard Kilfeather, historian and political advisor