Surname Kilrea - Meaning and Origin
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Kilrea: What does the surname Kilrea mean?
The last name Kilrea is of Irish origin and is believed to have first appeared in the country of Northern Ireland. It is derived from the Irish phrase "Cill Creda," which translates to "Church of St. Creda." It is a location-based surname, suggesting that the first Kilrea family either lived near, or had some form of connection to, this particular church. In Ireland, the name is mainly found in Counties Antrim and Down.
The current spelling of Kilrea is an Anglicization of the original Irish Gaelic form of the name, "Cill Ria," which was first recorded in the Lecale Barony of the County Down in the 13th century. The word "Cill" translates to "church" and "Ria" is derived from the personal name "Rioghbhardán," which is the equivalent of the masculine name "Robert" in English.
The Kilrea surname has a long history in Ireland, with historians suggesting that the family was well established by the time of the Norman invasion in the 12th century. Many of the Kilrea family went on to become chieftains in the Irish province of Ulster, and several of them served as Keepers of the Black exchequer. It is also widely believed that some Kilrea family members emigrated to Scotland in the 16th century, and to North America and Australia in the 19th century, further spreading the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKilrea: Where does the name Kilrea come from?
The surname Kilrea is most commonly found in Ireland today, particularly in County Derry. Kilrea is a small village in the county, located along the southern bank of the River Bush.
Many reputable sources list the surname as being of Scottish origin but it is believed that it is of Irish origin and may come from the parish in Derry called Killererin. The Kilrea family or clan would have been among the original settlers of the land.
The Kilrea family name is also recorded in other countries, such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand where people have emigrated from Ireland.
The oldest written reference of the surname was a charter granted to James Kilrea in 1533 when James was employed as a miller in Cambridge.
Kilrea is also an important surname in Irish history, as many members of this family played a role in the Irish War of Independence. During in 1920-21, there were a number of incidents involving the Kilrea family, including some arrests of family members.
Today, the Kilrea surname is still common in County Derry and the surrounding area, with many people bearing the name. It has maintained its presence, and is a significant part of the community's history and heritage.
Variations of the surname Kilrea
The surname Kilrea is a locality surname, derived from the Irish placename Kilrea in County Derry, Northern Ireland. The name is also associated with two baronies nearby, namely Coleraine and Keenaght. It is thought to be derived from the Ulster-Scots phrase Kirk-ree, meaning "church of the king."
Variants of this surname include Kilraw, Kilragh, and Kilrowe. Spellings used by people with the Kilrea surname also include Kilrea, Kilree, and Kilry. These variants are often found in records from 19th century Ireland due to poor literacy, language barriers, and accents.
The most popular variant of the surname is Kilrea. Other less common variants include MacGilrea, MacKilrea, MacKerra, McCilrea, McCilree, Kilyree, and Kilray.
Surnames related to Kilrea include Kilgariff (or Kilgarve), Kilarrow (or Kilarow), Kilore, Killry, Kilreys, and Kiley. Some of these surnames have even changed to Phibb, Galway, Murphy, and other Anglicised spellings.
In some cases, the Kilrea surname has been confused with other Irish surnames beginning with Kil- like Kilgarriff and Kilroy but they are not closely related.
Famous people with the name Kilrea
- Drew Kilrea: American musician and poet.
- Shawn Kilrea: Canadian former National Hockey League player.
- Mike Kilrea: Canadian former National Hockey League player.
- Tess Kilrea: Professional dancer and model.
- Scott Kilrea: American former Major League Baseball player.
- Emma Kilrea: Broadcast journalist.
- Jack Kilrea: Former American race car driver.
- Hugh Kilrea: American attorney and military officer.
- J.E. Kilrea: Anglican priest.
- Justin Kilrea: American sports anchor, reporter, and podcast host.
- Mark Kilrea: Canadian former National Football League player.
- Elliott Kilrea: American professional basketball player.
- Nate Kilrea: American actor and model.
- Patrick Kilrea: Canadian former National Hockey League player.
- Sara Kilrea: Canadian ice hockey player.
- Derick Kilrea: Canadian retired National Hockey League player.
- Ryan Kilrea: Canadian former National Hockey League player.
- Elizabeth Kilrea: Canadian former politician.
- Christine Kilrea: American retired professional tennis player.
- Edward Kilrea: American former National Football League player.