Surname Kilvine - Meaning and Origin
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Kilvine: What does the surname Kilvine mean?
The last name Kilvine is derived from the Old Irish "Cill Fhínín" which translates to “Church of the small shrub”, in reference to a church in County Wexford that may have been located in a family's home. It is thought to be of Gaelic origin, and is found particularly in Counties Wexford and Kilkenny in Ireland.
The name Kilvine is often associated with individuals who are hardworking, resilient, and ambitious. These individuals have a strong sense of loyalty to their family and friends, but also have the courage to strike out on their own and make the best of new situations. They are natural problem-solvers, often bringing unique solutions to unique issues, and often make powerful leaders.
Kilvines are open to new ideas and have a deep connection to their Irish heritage, yet also a willingness to explore new cultures and traditions. They have a strong appreciation for nature, often taking part in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
Kilvines are loyal friends and allies, showing generosity when it's needed and defending their beliefs when challenged. They stand for justice and fairness, and fight against injustice and social norms. They are passionate, determined, and have a strong spirit of adventure. They trust in the power of creativity and doing what is right for themselves and for those around them, and have a strong belief in the power of education.
Order DNA origin analysisKilvine: Where does the name Kilvine come from?
The last name Kilvine was most likely derived from a Gaelic term meaning “the protector” and seemed to have first been used in the ancient counties of Kilkenny and Wexford in Ireland. Historically, it has been most common in those counties and the neighboring counties of Waterford and Carlow, but is not so common today.
Currently, Kilvine is a relatively rare last name, with only 36 families bearing the name recorded in the United States between 1880 and 2018. This indicates that the Kilvine name is far more common among descendants of Irish immigrants. In fact, the majority of the current Kilvine families in the United States are of Irish descent.
Outside of the United States, Kilvine is still relatively rare in Ireland, with 35 families recorded since 1890 on the national census. It also appears to be most common in Ireland’s south-east, with records of Kilvine families in Wicklow and Dublin as well.
Outside of Ireland, the last name Kilvine does appear in small numbers in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, but is likely still relatively rare.
Overall, the last name Kilvine is still relatively rare today, appearing mostly in its countries of origin such as Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Although the name has been recorded from the 16th century onwards, Kilvine families are still most common among descendants of Irish immigrants today.
Variations of the surname Kilvine
The surname Kilvine has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some variants include Kilvane, Kilvain, Kilven, Kilevin, Kilvyn, Kilevan, and Kilveen.
Kilvine is an Anglicised version of the Irish-Gaelic surname O'Maolbraoite, which means 'descendant of Maolbraoite'. This surname is more commonly seen in county Mayo than elsewhere in Ireland.
Kilvane is a variant which is derived from the Irish-Gaelic surname O'Maolfabhradha, which means 'descendant of Maolfabhradha'. This variant is more commonly seen in the counties of Roscommon and Galway.
Kilvain is a variant which is derived from the Hebrew name Adamo and is also sometimes seen with the prefix 'O'. This variant is more common in components of western Ireland.
Kilven is a variant which comes from the Welsh surname Kil 'bawen, which means ‘servant of the bishop’. This variant is more common in Scotland and is derived from a religious figure.
Kilevin is a variant which is derived from the Irish-Gaelic name O'Maoleoin which means ‘descendant of Maoleoin’. This variant is more common in Scotland and is thought to have originated from a powerful Celtic chieftain.
Kilvyn is a variant which is derived from the Old Irish name Conchobhar, which means ‘wolf’. This variant is more commonly seen in England.
Kilevan is a variant which is derived from the Norse name Kilvarr, which means ‘descendant of Kil’. This variant is more commonly seen in northern England, and is thought to have originated from Viking settlers.
Kilveen is a variant which is derived from the Welsh surname Kilvian, which means ‘servant of the church’. This variant is more commonly seen in Wales and is of Celtic origin.
Famous people with the name Kilvine
- Matt Kilvine: American figurative artist
- Christy Kilvine: professional basketball player
- Mark Kilvine: professional football coach
- Winnie Kilvine: English actor
- Sarah Kilvine: Australian waterpolo player
- Margot Kilvine: French fashion designer
- Angie Kilvine: Irish filmmaker
- Erica Kilvine: British gymnast
- Joe Kilvine: American musician
- Tom Kilvine: Hollywood actor