Surname Kivlehan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kivlehan: What does the surname Kivlehan mean?
The last name Kivlehan is an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Uileagáin, which translates to “son of Ulick.” The root of the surname is derived from the ancient Celtic Ui Maine Sept, located in the western province of Connacht. The root of the name also appears in the form O'Flanagan, which is an Ulster version of the same name.
The surname is believed to have emerged during the 12th century, when the Norman invasion of Ireland catalyzed the need for family names. During this period, families often added "Mac" or "O," which are Gaelic prefixes that mean "son of," to the beginning of their last name. In some cases, the Mac Uileagáin family changed its name to Kivlehan to better fit with the Norman language and customs of the time.
Today, the Kivlehan family can be found throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. Bearers of the surname are often characterized by their hardworking and determined nature. Family members are often proud of their ancestral linked to the Celtic Ui Maine Sept, and many continue to honor their heritage through the passing down of their family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKivlehan: Where does the name Kivlehan come from?
The last name Kivlehan is a surname of Irish origin, and is particularly common in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
In Ireland, the Kivlehan name is often associated with the province of Connacht, particularly the County Galway regions of Connemara and Tuam. The Kivlehan family can trace their ancestry to the powerful ruling family of Uí Briúin (O’Brien).
In the United Kingdom, many Kivlehan’s have emigrated from Ireland since the 1800s. There are many Kivlehans found in the English towns of Liverpool, Manchester and Wigan. Additionally, the Kivlehan name is not uncommon in UK cities in Scotland, and Wales.
In America, the Kivlehan surname is not as common, but it is still found among the Irish diaspora. It is though that some Kivlehan emigrated to the US from Ireland during the Great Famine. Today, the Kivlehan family can be found in cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston.
The Kivlehan family name can also be found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even in South Africa.
No matter where you find the Kivlehan name, you can be sure it has a rich Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname Kivlehan
The surname Kivlehan is an Irish surname of ancient Gaelic origin, derived from the Irish Mac Giolla Mhicheil, which translates to “son of the devotee of Saint Michael". The surname has many variants in its spelling and several alternate surnames that are derived from the same origin, including Kivlehan, Kiplohan, Kiglehan, Kiplehan, Kiblehan, Kivlahan, Kivlen, Kilohan, Kilhin, Kullan, and Kilhan.
The most common variant spelling of Kivlehan is Kiglehan. It is used mainly in counties Donegal and Monaghan in the northwest of Ireland, where the majority of people bearing this name live. In addition, the spelling Kiplohan is also commonly found in southwestern Ireland, where many descendants of the original Kivlehan settlers have continued to live.
Other variant spellings are relatively rare but still exist. Kullan is a variant spelling of Kivlehan found mainly in the Clonmany region in county Donegal, while Kiblehan is a variant spelling found mainly in the Derry and Belfast areas. Kivlen is another variant spelling mainly used in Ulster, and Kilhin is a variant spelling mainly found in the County Monaghan area.
Kivlehan also has numerous alternate surnames of the same origin. These include Kilhan, Kivlahan, Kavinlein, Kilomham, and Kiffam, to name a few. The surnames Kilomham and Kiffam are rare and mainly found in the Clonmany area of Donegal, while Kavinlein is mainly found in the Belfast and surrounding areas.
Overall, the surname Kivlehan is an old Irish surname of Gaelic origin with a wide variety of variations and alternate surnames. It is still common in the northwest of Ireland today, where many of the original Kivlehan settlers remain and the surname is still used in its many different forms.
Famous people with the name Kivlehan
- Padraig Kivlehan: retired Irish Gaelic football player and All-Star
- Ryan Kivlehan: professional baseball outfielder
- Alannah Kivlehan: Irish women's soccer defender and former captain of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team
- Paul Kivlehan: English professional footballer
- Kealan Kivlehan: Irish hurler
- Mark Kivlehan: American football coach and former player
- Michael Kivlehan: Northern Irish amateur boxer
- John Kivlehan: Northern Irish businessman and entrepreneur
- Gavin Kivlehan: Irish hurler
- Sean Kivlehan: former Irish cricketer
- Lee Kivlehan: Irish musician and singer-songwriter