Surname Kilgrew - Meaning and Origin
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Kilgrew: What does the surname Kilgrew mean?
The surname Kilgrew is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Giolla Chríost' meaning 'son of the servant of Christ'. The Irish name was recorded as 'Mac Gille Crist' or 'Mac Giolla Chríost' in the 10th and 11th centuries and is believed to have been brought to Scotland by families from Ireland.
The Kilgrew surname has been found across Scotland for many generations, indicating that it was well established in the country by the early seventeenth century. It is likely that the name was used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was devoted to their beliefs or served Christ in some way. The first known Kilgrew recorded in Scotland was William MacGillecrhist in 1343, living in the barony of Rothesay in Buteshire.
Today, the Kilgrew surname is still found across Scotland, and Ireland, and is also prevalent in other countries, including England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name is often used as a positive representation of one's faith and commitment to Christian values, but can also signify courage, loyalty, and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisKilgrew: Where does the name Kilgrew come from?
The surname Kilgrew is most commonly found in the United States, though a few families with this name can be traced in other parts of the world. The highest concentrations of the surname are in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It is also found in some parts of Ireland, particularly in Dublin, Cork, and Galway provinces. In England, Kilgrew is a rare surname which is mainly found in the North and Midlands regions. This surname is also found in parts of Scotland and along the Irish Sea.
The meaning of the name Kilgrew is not definitively known, but the prefix “kil” or “kilg” is likely derived from Gaelic origins, meaning “church.” The suffix “grew”ore likely derives from the Old English ‘grava,’ meaning ‘ditch.’ It could also be derived from Old Norse and mean ‘gravel.’
The Kilgrew family can trace its origins back to the 1500s in Scotland. There are also records of them in Ireland, England, and Wales from that time. It is not known exactly when the family immigrated to the United States, but records suggest that it was in the 1700s and 1800s when many Irish families fled Ireland due to crop failure. Today, the Kilgrew surname continues to be found primarily in the United States and surrounding countries.
Variations of the surname Kilgrew
Kilgrew is the anglicised spelling of the Gaelic surname Mac GiollaRuaidh, which is of Irish origin. It is sometimes spelled as Mac Giolla rua and Mac Giolla Ruidh and is derived from the Irish meaning “son of the red-haired servant”. Variations of this surname include Kilgrave, Kilgrav, Kilgravee, Kilgraff, Kilgrave, Gilgrew, Gilgrav, Gilgraff, and Gilgrave.
The Kilgrew family first settled in Donegal, Ireland and the clan were one of the original principal occupants of the area known as Rathdonnel or Conellstown in the barony of Boylagh. According to Irish history, this branch of the clan was descended from Davidgall MacGillRua who journeyed to Ullachoir in the parish of Kilmacrenan in the late 12th century AD.
The Kilgrew family has been prominent in the fields of law, politics, science, and business over the centuries and the surname has spread to other countries, including England, Canada and the United States. In the United States, the name is most common in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Today, the surname is commonly spelled Kilgrew but other alternate spellings can still be found.
Famous people with the name Kilgrew
- Jack Kilgrew: an American actor, best known for his work in TV shows like Lassie, Smallville and Supergirl.
- John Kilgrew: an Irish actor best known for playing the character of Jody in the Sky One comedy-drama series Mersey Beat.
- Sarah Kilgrew: an Irish actress, television presenter and singer who has appeared in several films, stage productions and television programmes, mainly in Ireland.
- Michael Kilgrew: a British actor, best known for playing the character of Steve Rains in the BBC soap opera “EastEnders”.
- Luke Kilgrew: an American musician, producer and songwriter based in Seattle, Washington, best known for his work on the 2018 album “Horses”.
- Janice Kilgrew: a Canadian actress, best known for her roles in films like "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” and “Poor Boy’s Game”.
- Alison Kilgrew: an American actress, best known for her roles in the TV shows “ER” and “Mad men”.
- Paul Kilgrew: an English sociologist and psychotherapist, best known for his work on sociopsychological theories of youth problems.
- Mandy Kilgrew: a British director and writer, best known for directing the 2015 feature documentary demystifying “Happiness”.
- Justin Kilgrew: an Australian singer and songwriter, best known for his singles “C'mon” and “The House You Built”.