Surname Kilvey - Meaning and Origin
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Kilvey: What does the surname Kilvey mean?
The last name Kilvey is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac an Mhillbhuidhe, which literally translates to “son of the yellow-haired one”. The term Mhillbhuidhe is a descriptive nickname used to describe a person with a light complexion or light-colored hair. This could refer to a historical figure from Scotland and Ireland who had the same distinguishing feature.
The Kilvey surname is found primarily in the western and central regions of Scotland but can also be found in a few other countries, including the United States and Canada. It is thought to have first originated in the Scottish Highlands from the MacDonald clan and then further spread throughout the British Isles. Records indicate that one of the earliest people with the Kilvey surname was James Mac an Mhillbhuidhe, who was recorded in the 16th century as living in Inverary, Argylshire.
It is likely that the descendants of this original family later spread throughout Europe and the Americas, likely bringing their name with them wherever they went. Today, the Kilvey surname is most commonly associated with people in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and North America. It is a unique and interesting surname with centuries of rich history behind it.
Order DNA origin analysisKilvey: Where does the name Kilvey come from?
The last name Kilvey is most commonly found in the United States. Its origins are English/Welsh, and the last name is derived from the Welsh word for "ridge." In the 19th century, the name may have been an occupational surname, as it is possible it could have been derived from the word for "maker of coiled rushes."
Today, the last name Kilvey is a common surname throughout the United States. Many of the most populated states, including California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Florida all have a significant Kilvey population. The name also has representation in most other states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Those with the last name Kilvey have a strong presence in the online community. Newspapers and other online resources list numerous references to individuals with the Kilvey last name. The largest concentration of Kilvey's are located in the US, however there have been individuals with the surname from other countries as well including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Overall, the last name Kilvey is a common name throughout the US and international communities. It is unclear exactly how long the surname has been traced back, however due to its popularity in the US and other countries, it is likely that the name will remain throughout the coming generations.
Variations of the surname Kilvey
The spelling variants, alternate spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Kilvey include Kilvie, Kilveh, Kilvee, Kilvye, Killvie, Killvey, Killvee, Kilvea, Killvye, Kilvae, and Kilvyea.
Kilvey is a Scottish surname, originating in the Scottish Gaelic language. The root of the surname Kilvey is 'Ceàlmhaidh'; the anglicised version of the Gaelic name is 'Ceàlmheach', comprised of the elements 'ceàl' (warrior or corpse) and 'mhaidh' (pleasant). This surname was likely originally acquired by individuals who performed acts of bravery or heroism during battles.
The spelling variants of the surname Kilvey likely originate from phonetic misspellings and alterations of the original Gaelic form. Many of the alternate spellings also represent variant pronunciations of the original pronunciation, such as Kilvie and Kilvea, which would represent a spoken form of the name, where the original 'dh' might be replaced with a 'v'.
The Irish version of the surname Kilvey is Kilveen, represented by a variant spelling of the original 'Kilveywan'. The Welsh variant of the Kilvey surname is Kilvieon, which is based on the original Scottish form.
In conclusion, the surname Kilvey has a long history in Scotland and continues to be recognised as a distinct and unique name today. There are many spelling variants, alternate spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Kilvey, and these variants are based on phonetic misspellings and different pronunciations of the original Gaelic form.
Famous people with the name Kilvey
- Dennis Kilvey: former professional basketball player for the New York Knicks.
- Erin Kilvey: professional windsurfer who has competed at the highest level in the United States and Europe.
- Fred Kilvey: former professional American football player.
- John Kilvey: former professional American football player.
- Justin Kilvey: an American film and television actor.
- Charles B. Kilvey: multi-talented Irish-American vaudevillian performer of the 1920s.
- Richard Kilvey: former road bicycle racer from Ireland who competed professionally between 1997 and 2000.
- Catherine Kilvey: Irish immigrant and one of the earliest female novelists in Ireland.
- Terence Kilvey: Irish businessman and entrepreneur.
- Mary Kilvey: a Canadian author, poet and educator.