Surname MacKilkey - Meaning and Origin

MacKilkey: What does the surname MacKilkey mean?

The last name MacKilkey is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Cheara, which means ‘son of the devotee of (St) Cyriac'. The Middle Irish spelling of this name is Mac Giolla Ceára, while in its modern Galicized form the pronunciation and spelling is MacGiolla Cheara. The name is most commonly found in counties Donegal, Derry/Londonderry, Belfast and Antrim.

Originally, MacKilkey was the name of a small clan tied to the Clan Ó Neill and their territorial origin dates back to the later medieval period in North West Ireland. It is believed that their principality was along the remote shores of Lough Swilly located in Northern Ireland.

The MacKilkey’s were renowned and feared warriors believed to possess supernatural powers granted by their patron saint. This likely explains why they were successful in defending their territories for so many centuries.

The MacKilkey surname was most likely adopted by the family during the early 17th century plantation period in Ireland. As many efficiently organized and religiously tolerant Protestant settlers established their new landholdings in Ulster, the MacKilkey clan adapted their old name to fit in with the current customs of the new Protestant society and adopted the surname of MacKilkey.

Today, there are many living descendants of the MacKilkey’s still living in the same region they first settled in centuries ago. Though the old Irish clan is no longer in power, they are still remembered and celebrated in their home community.

MacKilkey: Where does the name MacKilkey come from?

The MacKilkey surname is most commonly found in North America today. The surname was primarily derived from Scotland, but was also found in Northern Ireland, where it is thought to have originated. In Scotland, the name is found most predominantly in the Central and Portion regions of the country.

In North America, the name MacKilkey is found mainly in the United States and Canada. It is most popular in Canada, where it ranks among the top 250 last names. The MacKilkeys are mainly found throughout the Maritime Provinces of Canada, including Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick.

The MacKilkeys are also found all throughout the United States, mostly in the East and South. Most of the population of MacKilkeys in the US is found along the East Coast, from Maine all the way down to Florida. The largest concentrations are found in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia.

The MacKilkey family is also present on the West Coast, particularly California and Arizona, however, the majority of the population is still located in the East and Southeast. The MacKilkey name is associated with several clans, such as Clan Guthrie and Clan MacDonald, so the last name is still common today, even if the original spelling of MacKilkey is not.

Variations of the surname MacKilkey

MacKilkey is a Gaelic surname derived from the combination of the Irish words "Mac" (son) and "Choilleach" (wood). It is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, but has spread across the world, including to the United States.

Variants of MacKilkey include MacKelky, MacKelkey, Makilky, MacKilky, MacKilkie, MacKilkie, Mac Gillkey, Mac Gillekey, MacKelkie, McKillikey, MacIlkey, and MacElkey.

Surnames derived from MacKilkey include Kelky, Kilky, Killkey, Kilkie, Killkie, Killky, Gillkey, Gillekey, and Elkey.

Spellings of the surname MacKilkey vary by region and country, and may include MacKilkey, MakKilkey, McKilkey, MacKelleky, MakKelleky, MacKilky, MakKilky, MacKilkie, MakKilkie, MacKilkie, MakKilkie, Mac Gillkey, Mac Gillekey, MacKelkie, MakKelkie, McKillikey, MacIlkey, and MacElkey.

Throughout its spread, the pronunciation of the surname MacKilkey remains relatively unchanged. It is often pronounced as "muh-KIL-kee."

Famous people with the name MacKilkey

• Cameron Mackinlay MacKilkey: Canadian figure skater from Ottawa, Ontario. He competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics and won three medals for Canada in the World Championships.
• Darren MacKilkey: A retired professional baseball player who played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989.
• Kevin MacKilkey: A British producer and mixer of film scores, such as The Queen of the Damned, Daredevil and Glitter.
• Pius MacKilkey: An American basketball coach who served as an assistant in the National Basketball Association.
• Ross MacKilkey: The guitarist and founding member of the Irish rock band In Tua Nua.
• Stephen MacKilkey: The executive director of the Ireland Manufacturing Association.
• Shattyn MacKilkey: A snowboarder from Utah, who competed for the United States at the 2013 Winter X Games in Aspen.
• Brent MacKilkey: An American ice hockey player who played for EC Salzburg in the Austrian Hockey League.
• Jock MacKilkey: A Scottish footballer who played in the English Football League for both Darlington and Kendal Town.
• W. Gordon MacKilkey: an Australian academic of Scottish origin; he was a professor of English at the University of Melbourne.
• Will MacKilkey: The former English cricketer who played for Oxford University Cricket Club and Gloucestershire.
• Annie MacKilkey: A critically acclaimed American illustrator and fine artist.
• Graham MacKilkey: The member of the British Parliament for Henley from 1997 to 2005.
• David MacKilkey: The Scottish actor, who has appeared in popular television shows such as the Bill and Taggart.
• John MacKilkey: The former Chief Financial Officer of the London Stock Exchange.
• Lance MacKilkey: An Australian rugby union player who represented Scotland at the 1988 IRB Rugby World Cup.

Other surnames

MacKilkearyMacKilkellyMacKilkenny