Surname Killoran - Meaning and Origin
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Killoran: What does the surname Killoran mean?
The last name Killoran is an old Irish surname derived from the ancient Gaelic name “O’Coillghobhair”, composed of two elements. The first element “o’” is a common prefix in Irish surnames, and refers to the descendant of a certain family or individual. The second element is “cor” or “coill” which refers to the wood, suggesting a probable connection to woodlands or forests.
The name Killoran is believed to have originated in the province of Connacht in western Ireland. It is thought that this surname was the result of combining the elements of the two surnames, “O’Coillghobhair” and “O’Cairbre”, which were both found in this region. It is likely that the original ancestors of the Killoran family were descendants of one of the many clans of the O’Connacht dynasty, who were prominent in this area in medieval times.
The meaning of Killoran is often debated, but is generally accepted to refer to one who is the descendant of the ‘wood or forest dweller’. This likely reflects the ancestor of the family who was known for living in a wood or forest in western Ireland.
The name Killoran is still found today in parts of Ireland and Britain, as well as in other countries such as the United States and Canada. It is often used as a family name and continues to carry the same meaning that it did centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisKilloran: Where does the name Killoran come from?
The last name Killoran is primarily associated with Ireland and is believed to have originated from the place name of the small village of Killarney in County Kerry, or alternatively, from the Irish Gaelic word ‘cill’ meaning a church. Killarney is a very old settlement with saints, kings and other notable figures connected to the area over the centuries.
The last name Killoran is relatively frequent throughout the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland it is recorded as being most common in the counties of Antrim and Tyrone, while in the Republic of Ireland the last name is most common in the provinces of Connacht, particularly in counties Mayo and Galway. It is also relatively common in Leinster – particularly in counties Laois and Offaly.
Beyond Ireland, there is some evidence to suggest that the last name Killoran may be found in small numbers in countries that have a historical connection with Ireland, such as Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. It is also very likely that some Irish emigrants took the name to other countries around the world during the 19th and 20th centuries, though no records of these emigrants exist, making it difficult to trace their descendants outside Ireland today.
Variations of the surname Killoran
The surname Killoran has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include the following:
-Killoran: This is the most common spelling of this surname and is found throughout Ireland.
-Kelloran: This is the alternate spelling of Killoran and is mainly found in the Galway area of Ireland.
-Kalloran: This is another variant spelling of Killoran and is also mainly found in the Galway area.
-Kiloran: This variant is mainly found in Scotland.
-Kerelan: This is an alternate spelling of Killoran and is mainly found in Galway and Mayo in Ireland.
-Kerrigan: This is an Irish variant of Killoran and is mainly found in counties Mayo and Galway.
-Ó Cill Ruaidhrí: This is the original Irish form of the name and means “descendant of the red King”. It is mainly found in Mayo and Galway, particularly in the area around Killala in Mayo.
-MacGilloray: This is another variant form of the name and is also found in Mayo and Galway.
-MacElhirre: This is another variant form of the name and is mainly found in Mayo and Galway.
-Ó Cill Riabhaigh: Another variant and is mainly found in counties Mayo and Galway.
These are some of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as the surname Killoran. Some of these versions have different meanings and derivations, but all are derivatives of the original Irish name. Regardless of the spelling, all variations of Killoran are derived from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Killoran
- Patricia Killoran: Patricia Killoran is a successful American singer and actress. She has released several albums and starred in film and television shows.
- Stacy Killoran: Stacy Killoran is a former professional soccer player and Global Checkpoint Ambassador. She also served as a U.S. Soccer National Team Player Coordinator.
- John Killoran: John Killoran is an Irish former professional footballer. His career spanned sixteen seasons from 1976 to 1992
- Mike Killoran: Mike Killoran is an Irish singer and guitar virtuoso. He was a member of the band Mike Killoran and The Killeens and he has released several solo albums with his own label, Emerald Music.
- Robert Killoran: Robert Killoran is an American television producer and writer, best known for creating the show Lizzie McGuire.
- Kalli Killoran: Kalli Killoran is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She is currently a cast member of the television show The Last O.G.
- Brian Killoran: Brian Killoran is an Irish physicist. He is the recipient of numerous awards and is a professor emeritus at University College Dublin.
- Emily Killoran: Emily Killoran is a British short story writer and novelist. With a focus on crime and thriller fiction, her books include The End of the Line, The Price to Pay and A Matter of Life and Death.