Surname Kilkey - Meaning and Origin

Kilkey: What does the surname Kilkey mean?

The last name Kilkey is believed to be of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic phrase O'Cillechain, which translates to "descendant of Cillechain," a personal name of unknown origin. It is believed that the Kilkey family originated in the county of Offaly in Ireland where they were recorded as being of noble lineage.

The Kilkey surname is relatively rare, particularly in the United States and many other countries outside of Ireland, suggesting a smaller number of people bearing this surname. It is speculated that most of the Kilkeys living today trace their lineage to a small group of individuals who left Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In terms of current population, estimates indicate that there are now fewer than 500 Kilkeys in all of Ireland, and no more than a handful of people in the United States bearing the surname.

Today, the Kilkey surname can be found throughout the world, but traces of its Irish heritage still remain. This is most evident in its traditional coat of arms, which features three root-like branches in unity with each other, a symbol that has been used for centuries by individuals and families of the Kilkey surname.

Kilkey: Where does the name Kilkey come from?

The last name Kilkey is most commonly found in Ireland, where it has existed since at least the 17th century. It is believed to have originated in Ulster, in the northern province of Ireland. The name is derived from the Irish phrase "Ceallach mac Ceallaigh," which means "Kilkey's son."

Today, there are Kilkey families living in many parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. In Ireland, the surname is still especially common in counties such as Donegal, Monaghan, Tyrone, and Fermanagh.

In the United States, Kilkey families may be found in a variety of states including Tennessee, Illinois, Connecticut, Nebraska, New York, Iowa, Kansas, and Iowa. The name is also frequent in large cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis in the midwest.

Kilkey is one of the many surnames of Irish ancestry found around the world today. Its history in Ireland is centuries old, and its legacy is still alive today as families carry on the Kilkey surname, no matter where they call home.

Variations of the surname Kilkey

Kilkey is an Irish surname of Norse (Viking) origin. It is derived from the old Gaelic surname of mac Cill Caoich, meaning “son of Caoich’s church”.

Variants, Spellings and Surnames

Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin as Kilkey include Killkey, Kilkie, Kilkea, Kilkelly, Killea, Killeen, Killigan, Killen, Killeny, Killie, Killey, Killy, Killyea, and Killyea.

In addition to the spelling variations, there are several alternate Irish surnames which are translations of the same root surname. These include mac Giolla Caoich (“son of Caoich’s servant”), Mac Giolla Eoin (“son of John’s servant”), mac Fhlaithbheartaigh (“son of the ruler of the tribe”), and mac Siúlach (“son of the craftsman”).

The Kilkey name is also related to the Scottish McEwen surname, derived from the old Gaelic mac Eóghain, meaning “son of Eóghan’ (or “Eoghan’)”.

Kilkey is most commonly found in counties Galway, Mayo, and Sligo in Connacht province of Ireland. It is present in other parts of Ireland and the Irish Diaspora, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.

Famous people with the name Kilkey

• Anna Marie Kilkey: a Broadway actress
• Hugh Kilkey: British Member of Parliament
• Elizabeth Kilkey: a movie actress
• Paddy Kilkey: a former Irish soccer player
• James Kilkey: a former English football player
• Laura Kilkey: an English actress and writer
• Joe Kilkey: an American football player
• Frank Kilkey: a former Irish professional rugby player
• Jackie Kilkey: a singer and songwriter
• John Kilkey: a former English rugby union football player
• Emer Kilkey: a retired Irish footballer
• David Kilkey: an English former rugby union player
• Niall Kilkey: an Irish former rugby union player
• Derry Kilkey: a former British music producer
• Deirdre Kilkey: an Irish Olympian in rowing
• Glentworth Kilkey: a former curate in West Sussex
• Sean Kilkey: an American digital artist
• Brian Kilkey: an American physicist
• Matthew Kilkey: a former Irish volleyball player
• Liz Kilkey: a British singer and songwriter

Other surnames

KilkearyKilkellyKilkenneyKilkenny