Surname Kille - Meaning and Origin
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Kille: What does the surname Kille mean?
The surname Kille is of English origin, and is derived from the Old English given name Cila, which is thought to be a pet form of the name Cædmon. The name Cædmon was originally given to an Anglo-Saxon religious figure who was said to be the first English poet to compose devotional hymns about the Christian faith.
Kille, as it is spelled today, first appeared in English records in the 13th century. It is primarily found in the county of Kent in southern England. The Kille surname is believed to have been established in this region during the medieval noble families’ migrations from Normandy in the 11th century. Furthermore, some records suggest that the family may have descended from a Norman baronial family with the same name.
Over the years, the surname Kille has been adopted in various forms around the world. It is most common in the United Kingdom, with significant populations in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The name is believed to mean “castle” or “fortification”, implying a family connected with places of power or wealth, or perhaps one who holds great power and influence in their area.
Order DNA origin analysisKille: Where does the name Kille come from?
The last name Kille is mainly found in the United States, although there are some occurrences in other countries around the world. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Ohio. It is also seen in states like Virginia and Georgia. As an English surname, it likely originated in the Middle Ages and was likely given to someone from a place named Kille. It may also originate from the Irish name Ó Coill, which refers to someone from a family that was descended from a lineage of woodcutters. It is also possible that the name has Scandinavian origins, as it is very similar to the Swedish name Kille.
The last name Kille is not very popular today, but there are still a few Kille families spread out through the United States and other countries. Today, it can be found in small and large towns as well as in different professions. It is most commonly associated with the professions of teaching, engineering, and banking. There are also some Kille families with a long history in the United States who have lived in the same town for many generations.
Variations of the surname Kille
The surname Kille is an anglicization of the Irish name Ó Caoil, meaning descendant of Caoll. This name is derived from the Gaelic caol, meaning “slender” or “fine”. The original form of the surname Ó Caoil has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the name include O'Keeley, Keeley, Kiely, Keleey, Killie, Kealy, Kille, Keely, Coyle, Coyne, Coiley, Kealey, Keel, and Caoll.
The spelling variants of the surname include O'Keely, O’Kiely, O’Keleey, O’Killie, O’Kealy, O’Kille, O’Keely, O’Coyle, O’Coyne, O’Coiley, O’Kealey, O’Keel, and O’Caoll.
The surnames of same origin as Ó Caoil include Cavanaugh, Caulfield, Foley, and Campbell. All of these surnames can be traced back to the same root Irish name Ó Caoil.
The origin of the surname Ó Caoil can be found in the ancient Irish kingdom of Munster, in particular Cork and Waterford County in the south-east of Ireland. The name Ó Caoil is first recorded in two 14th century manuscripts Woollen Book of Lecan and The Book of Ballymote.
The original form of the surname Ó Caoil is closely associated with the Gaelic culture of Ireland and is often found in this form throughout Ireland. However, the anglicized form of Kille is more common in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
Famous people with the name Kille
- Christopher Kille: Musician, songwriter, and record producer best known for his work with bands such as The Distillers, The Offspring, Deftones, and Fear Factory.
- Llewellyn Kille: British actor, known for portraying roles in multiple films, television shows, and commercials.
- Shane Kille: Former English professional football player who played for Leeds United and several other teams.
- John Kille: American communications strategist and nonprofit executive. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at AT&T.
- Maggie Kille: American actress, best known for her work in shows such as Girls, Orange Is the New Black, The Good Place, and The Mindy Project.
- Bill Kille: Canadian filmmaker and playwright, best known for his independent films and plays.
- Paul Kille: American drummer, songwriter, and music producer, best known for being the drummer for rock band Matchbox Twenty.
- Ishe Smith: Professional American boxer, who formerly held multiple titles in the super welterweight division, including the IBF light middleweight title.
- Elena Kille: British cyclist and triathlete, best known for holding several titles in cycling and multiple podium finishes in world level triathlons.
- Don Kille: Retired American professional basketball player and coach, best known for his time playing in the NBA. He currently serves as the head coach for Junior Sound AAU.