Surname Killigraw - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Killigraw: What does the surname Killigraw mean?
The last name Killigraw is of Irish origin, derived from the surname Mac Giolla Ghradha, which translates to English as “the servant or follower of the devotee of the Grace”. Some variations on this surname can also be found as Killigrew, Killegerow, Gilligaraux, Gilleron, and many other forms.
This surname is believed to have originated in County Kerry, Ireland, where it was part of a larger sept (clan) of families. It is thought to have derived from the Irish Gaelic words "Mac" (son of) and "Giolla Ghradha" (devotee of the Grace). This name was most likely adopted by families of Gaelic descent in the 15th or 16th century, based on their beliefs and devotion to the Christian faith.
Many of the Killigraw descendants can be found in various parts of the globe, including Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, the United States, and Australia. People who bear this surname may go by the nicknames Kil or Gill or Gray among their own circles.
Overall, the surname Killigraw is one that symbolizes devotion to one's faith, family, and respect for tradition. It is a distinguished last name that carries a deep and unique personal history, with immense pride attached.
Order DNA origin analysisKilligraw: Where does the name Killigraw come from?
The Killigraw surname is a relatively uncommon surname today. Records indicate that the name is most common in Scotland, particularly in the counties of Angus and Fife, and possibly in parts of northern England.
In Scotland, the Killigraw surname appears to be a variant of the surname Kellegrew or Kellygrew. The surname appears to have originated in Scotland in the early 1600s and as a result, records indicate that the surname has centered around this region of the UK with a few names appearing in other countries, though it is not clear whether those individuals are of Scottish descent.
The name may also be a variant of the 'Killegrew' surname, which may be found in Ireland and parts of England. It is believed that the Killigraw surname is most likely a Scottish variant of the original Killegrew surname.
It is likely that the Killigraw survey is no longer present in Scotland today. Outside of Scotland, it appears to be rare and far between. It is possible that some individuals have changed the name to Killigrew, as this is a more common form of the name. It is also possible that some have changed the name to something else as a result of family history and records being lost.
Variations of the surname Killigraw
The surname Killigraw is of English origin and its variations include Kiligrew, Kelligrew, Kallygraw, Kalligrew, and Kellegrew. It is classed as a habitational or toponymic surname, meaning that it is derived from a place name, likely an Old Norse personal name, "Kilgi" or a similar variation of the name.
The surname generally appears to have originated in Cornwall, England, and is more commonly known under its variant spellings such as Kelligrew, Kallygraw, and Kellegrew. It is also known as Kiligrew in parts of Scotland.
The variant spellings of the surname Killigraw show its usage in different parts of the U.K. in the past. This may help to explain why the surname has some slight differences in spelling in different countries. For example, the U.K. census of 1881 shows the highest frequency of Killigraw’s in Cornwall (17 individuals), followed by South Wales and Northern Ireland (11 individuals each).
The descendants of those bearing the surname Killigraw are found primarily in England and Scotland, though some have migrated to the United States and Canada. The variant surnames Kelligrew, Kallygraw, and Kellegrew appear to be more commonly used in the United States than the original spelling.
As a toponymic surname, Killigraw is widely distributed throughout the U.K. With this in mind, it's possible that some Killigraws may have been purposefully given such spelling variants of the name, in order to separate them from other Killigraws. That being said, all variants are ultimately related and carry the same heritage.
Famous people with the name Killigraw
- Conor Killigrew, an English courtier in the late 16th century
- Penelope Killigrew, an English poet
- Douglas Killigrew, a fur trader based in British Columbia, Canada
- Harry Killigrew, former English Member of Parliament
- Barbara Killigrew, Countess of Desmond and Lady President of the Council of Ireland, circa 1620s
- George Killigrew, an English Member of Parliament in the mid-17th century
- Thomas Killigrew, an English dramatist circa 1660s
- Gene Killigrew, a professional American football player in the early 20th century
- Isobel Killigrew, an English actress and singer in the early 20th century
- Sean Killigrew, an Irish actor