Surname Kilkeary - Meaning and Origin
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Kilkeary: What does the surname Kilkeary mean?
The last name Kilkeary is of Irish origin and is derived from a place name. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Ceaileachair, which translates as 'descendant of Caolachar'. It is derived from the word 'caol', which means slender, and 'ceachar', which means companion.
The family who adopted the name Kilkeary came from a territory in Co. Mayo known as Calry, which was once part of the ancient kingdom of Ui Maine. Over time, the family moved around and eventually settled in other parts of Ireland.
Today, Kilkeary is a fairly common Irish surname. It is found mostly in the midlands and eastern regions of the country. It is thought to be the variation of the original Kilkeary, with some other variations including Kilcar, Kilcarey, and Kilkerry.
Those who take this last name often honor its ancient roots. They may be proud of its historical significance and the values of their ancestors. Kilkeary is a reminder of a past way of life, and of the strength of family ties. It can also serve as a great source of inspiration for those who take up the name and carry on its legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisKilkeary: Where does the name Kilkeary come from?
The last name Kilkeary is most commonly found today in the English-speaking countries of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, and Australia. In Ireland, it is found mainly on the western side of the country. It is more rare in the eastern parts.
In the United States, the name Kilkeary is overwhelmingly concentrated in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is also found in other areas throughout the country, including parts of Florida when tracking the name down through immigration records.
In the United Kingdom, the name is thought to originate from Kilkeary in County Westmeath, Ireland. In Scotland, Kilkeary is most often found in the counties of Renfrewshire, East Lothian and Angus.
In terms of the frequency of this name in the English-speaking world today, it indicates a slow but steady spread over the centuries with the greatest concentrations of the name in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Hampshire.
Variations of the surname Kilkeary
The Kilkeary surname has a wide range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Kilkerry, Kilkieran, Kylkerry, Kilkered, Kelkeary, Killkary, and Kylkearey.
The origin of the surname Kilkeary is thought to be associated with the Irish name O'Ceallaigh. This name has a long history in Ireland, beginning with the ancient Gaelic clan of O' Cathalighe, sometimes known as O'Ceallacháin or O'Kelly. The descendants of this clan are associated with the present day counties of Offaly and Westmeath. During the 12th century, O' Ceallaigh became anglicised to O' Kelly and O'Kinelagh, which later evolved into the modern Kilkeary.
Some anglicised variations of the surname Kilkeary include Kelleher, Kilkieran, Killeen, Killigrew, and Kemer. Other similar surnames which may have a shared origin with Kilkeary include Kielty, Kincaid, Kilroy, Kirkpatrick, and Kilfoyle.
Kilkeary is not a common surname, but it is quite ancient. It is believed to have first been used by the descendants of this ancient Gaelic clan who settled in the 12th century in Ireland.
The emergence of different spellings of the Kilkeary surname suggests that the original spelling may have been changed, adapted or misrecorded at various stages in its history. As a result, it is quite possible that other variants of the surname exist and may be connected to this ancient family line.
Famous people with the name Kilkeary
- Frank Kilkeary, an American boxer, won a bronze medal in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
- Pat Kilkeary, an American Morehead State University basketball player and coach.
- Joanna Kilkeary, an English actress known for roles in TV shows such as Doctor Who and Casualty.
- Paddy Kilkeary, a 20th century Irish politician who served on the Londonderry Urban Council.
- Roger Kilkeary, an American musician and member of the band Goose.
- Joe Kilkeary, an American film editor known for his work on films such as Donnie Brasco and Mulholland Drive.
- Tim Kilkeary, an American racing car driver who raced in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1980–1985.
- Paul Kilkeary, an Australian football player who played for the Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1940s and 1950s.
- Liam Kilkeary, an Irish entrepreneur and journalist who founded the news website Kilkeary.News in 2019.
- Mike Kilkeary, an American baseball coach who was active in the National Baseball Hall of Fame from 1958–1969.