Surname Kilfoyle - Meaning and Origin

Kilfoyle: What does the surname Kilfoyle mean?

Kilfoyle is a Scottish and Irish surname, thought to be derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Phoil. The name translates to mean “son of a devotee of St. Paul”. It is believed the name was first adopted by a family who were devotees of St. Paul from the Kilfoyle farm, which was located in the County Donegal in Ireland.

The Kilfoyle family has a long and proud history stretching back into the depths of time. One of the first known members of the clan was Niall Mac Giolla Phuill, chief of Tirhugh in the 13th century and ancestor of the modern Kilfoyle family. In later centuries the Kilfoyle family split off into a number of different branches, each taking its own path through history and contributing to their local towns along the way.

Today, the Kilfoyle surname is still quite prominent, particularly in Ireland, Scotland and the United States. The Kilfoyle name is known for its strong family values and love of tradition. Members of the Kilfoyle clan can still be found in many different countries, though the original Kilfoyle farm has long since vanished. Despite its unassuming origin story, the Kilfoyle name still carries a great deal of weight and tradition for those who bear it today.

Kilfoyle: Where does the name Kilfoyle come from?

The surname Kilfoyle is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly the Tipperary County area of the country. It is an anglicised version of the Irish Gaelic name O'Cill Mhuire, meaning "Descendants of Mary's Cell", referring to a small stronghold or fortification in Ireland. Although the name has origins in Ireland, it is thought to have been brought to Britain through immigrants during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly from Counties Tipperary and Kilkenny.

In modern times, the name Kilfoyle can be found throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the United States and Canada. It is most commonly found in Ireland where a large number of descendants of Irish immigrants have retained the surname. According to the popular baby name website 'Nameberry', Kilfoyle is becoming increasingly popular as a surname in the United States and Canada, particularly amongst the Irish-American community.

Although the name may be relatively rare in any given area, there are a small number of notable people who have gone by the name Kilfoyle. These include former British Member of Parliament Dennis Kilfoyle, who is of Irish descent, American Olympic swimmer Michael Kilfoyle, and Paediatrician Miss Lynn Kilfoyle.

In short, while the last name Kilfoyle is not particularly common today, it is widely dispersed across Britain, Ireland, the United States and Canada. This surname has also been made famous by some notable figures throughout the years, despite being relatively unknown by most.

Variations of the surname Kilfoyle

The surname Kilfoyle is most commonly derived from the Irish Gaelic form of the surname O'Caoilfhoghail meaning descendant of Caoilfhoghail. This name is generally pronounced as "coil-fole-ill".

Variants of the surname Kilfoyle generally include Kilfoyle, Kilfoly, Kelfoyle, Kelfoly, Kylfoyle, Kylfoly, Kilyfoyle, Kilyfoly, Kileyfoyle, Kileyfoly, and Quillfoyle. Each of these variants often spell the surname differently but have the same origin and meaning.

Surnames of similar origin and meaning to the surname Kilfoyle include O'Caoilfhoghail, Coyle, Coyne, O'Coine, Killfoil, Killen, and Killa. Generally, these surnames are derived from the same Gaelic root as Kilfoyle, which is O'Caoilfhoghail, but are more commonly found with differing spellings, accents, and pronunciations.

Overall, the surname Kilfoyle has a wide range of variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. It is important to note that although each of these names are derived from the same root word and origin, their pronunciation and spelling may be different.

Famous people with the name Kilfoyle

• Vincent Kilfoyle: British Labour Party Politician.
• Shane Kilfoyle: Irish Footballer
• Bill Kilfoyle: Former member of the British Royal Navy
• Patrick Kilfoyle: Former Member of the British Parliament
• Suzanne Kilfoyle: American Child Actress
• Stephen Kilfoyle: Floridian Watercolor Artist
• Brigid Kilfoyle: Noted Poet and Artist
• Mark Kilfoyle: American Comedy Musician
• Michael Kilfoyle: Irish Actor
• Ruth Kilfoyle: British Political Activist

Other surnames

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