Surname Kilfillen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kilfillen: What does the surname Kilfillen mean?
Kilfillen is an Irish-Gaelic last name derived from the surname Mac Giolla Fhiallain. The literal translation of this surname is "son of the devotee of St. Phelim". Phelim is a common Gaelic name that originates from Biblical references to the house of Philemon. The prefix "Mac" in this case represents a son of, meaning that Kilfillen can be translated as "son of the devotee of St. Phelim".
Kilfillen is thought to be the Anglicized form of the original Gaelic surname, suggesting that it may have evolved over time. This is due to the changes in the Gaelic language used in place names in Ireland since the turn of the 20th century.
Kilfillen is a relatively common surname in Ireland, particularly in the area of Co. Sligo, which is located in the northwest of the country. The name is believed to have been brought to Ireland by immigrants from Scotland and other parts of the British Isles.
The name Kilfillen is thought to have been adopted by people of varying religions and backgrounds, both in Ireland and around the world, in a show of national pride for their homeland. The surname is especially common in the United States, likely due to the large number of Irish immigrants who made their homes in America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Kilfillen is a reminder of the family’s proud Irish heritage, connecting them to the land of their ancestors. Although the name has evolved over time, it still remains a powerful symbol of the family’s past and is a source of identity and pride for all those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisKilfillen: Where does the name Kilfillen come from?
The last name Kilfillen is of Irish origin, but today it is most commonly found in parts of the United States, particularly the Midwest and southern states. The largest concentrations of people with the surname Kilfillen can be found in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, and Arkansas, although there are also smaller numbers of the surname holders living in Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and other states in the Midwest and South.
Kilfillen is not a very common last name, estimated to be held by 6,717 people in the United States according to the latest data from the US Census Bureau. It ranks as the 7,854th most common surname in the United States in 2020, indicating that it is a relatively rare name. So while Kilfillen is most commonly associated with Irish heritage, the majority of people with the name now reside in the Midwest and South of the United States.
The Kilfillen family can trace their roots back to the endangered Irish language, as the name appears to have evolved from the Irish language surname Ó Maol Thaidhg Fhillín. The name translates to "descendant of Maol Thaidhg Fhillín", and it is thought to come from the personal name Maol Thaidhg, which means "follower of St. Tighernach".
The Kilfillen family of Ireland appears to have originated in Co Westmeath and Co Mayo. Both counties also have small numbers of the population that are still carrying the name. The Kilfillen family had a strong presence in Irish history and literature, and during the 19th century, the name was especially popular in the south of Ireland.
Variations of the surname Kilfillen
The Kilfillen surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Killelan, Killeen, Kilalon, Killeon, Killean, Killellan, Killen, Kilen, Killlan, Kilan, Kellen, Kiloin, Killeon, and Killom.
Killelan and Killeen are the oldest spellings of Kilfillen, and were mainly used in Counties Galway and Longford in Ireland. Killeen is also the most common spelling of the surname, found in County Longford, County Limerick, County Clare, and County Offaly. The spellings Kilalon, Killean, and Killellan are mostly found in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England. Killen is commonly found in Mayo and Kilen in Cork and other parts of Ireland.
The Kilfillen surname can be found spelled as Killlan and Kilan in County Mayo, and these spellings are also in use in the United States. Kellen is a popular variant in the United States and can be found gracing the birth certificates of many frontiersmen. Kiloin, Killeon, and Killom are spellings that are shared by both North America and Northern Ireland, and are still common in those areas.
While the origin of the surname Kilfillen is unsure, many of these variants share Irish and Scottish root words. Most of the variants are found concentrated in Ireland and Northern Ireland, along with pockets of Scotland. In North America, the variants truly shine, with each spelling held by an individual or family who claims the surname with pride.
Famous people with the name Kilfillen
- Michael Kilfllen: an American comedy writer, actor and musician most well-known for his sketch comedy web series, Nanette's Sandwich.
- Patrick Kilfllen: an award-winning Irish playwright, author, satirist and keen social critic.
- Jamie Kilfllen: an American professional female soccer player who spent time with the USWNT and the Houston Dash.
- Vincent Kilfllen: an Irish film director, screenwriter and producer best known for his feature film, Red Eye.
- Alannah Kilfllen: an Australian actress best known for her roles in TV shows such as Offspring and Rake.
- Stephen Kilfllen: an American political campaign consultant famed for his work on the 2008 and 2012 Barack Obama campaigns.
- Pete Kilfllen: a former American professional basketball player who spent time in the NBA and Israel's Super League.
- Tommy Kilfllen: a British comedian and actor, writer and director equally active on stage and screen, from London.
- Brian Kilfllen: an Irish radio presenter and producer, active on RTÉ 2fm.
- Katherine Kilfllen: an American philanthropist and social entrepreneur renowned for her commitment to ending poverty through sustainable means.