Surname McKillip - Meaning and Origin

McKillip: What does the surname McKillip mean?

The surname McKillip is of Scottish origin, believed to be derived from the personal name Philip, which means "lover of horses". The prefix "Mc" is Gaelic for "son of", thus McKillip may mean "son of Philip". Similar to many surnames that originated from patronymic traditions, variations of McKillip include McPhillip, McPhilip, and others. It is commonly found among descendants of Scottish and Irish immigrants, particularly in regions such as the United States and Canada where many emigrated during the 18th and 19th centuries.

McKillip: Where does the name McKillip come from?

The last name McKillip has Scottish origins, more specifically from the western part of Scotland and the Hebrides islands. The name is derived from the Gaelic "MacFhilib", which means "son of Philip".

It is a patronymic name, a type of surname that is based on a male ancestor's name, in this case, Philip. Over time, it evolved into the form McKillip due to influences from the English language and pronunciation.

Today, the name McKillip is most common in the United States, particularly in states like Montana, Nebraska, and Alaska. However, it is also found in other English-speaking countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and, of course, Scotland. It’s always worth noting that despite its commonality certain regions, it is still considered a rare last name globally.

Variations of the surname McKillip

The surname McKillip, of Scottish origin, has several variations that are a result of phonetic spellings from different periods, regions, and translating from Gaelic to English. These variants include MacKillip, MacKilip, MacPhilip, MacPhillip, MacPhilp, MacGilp, and Macilp.

It is denoted as 'Mac Fhilib' in Gaelic, meaning 'son of Philip'. Many Scottish surnames beginning with 'Mac' or 'Mc' (which both denote 'son of') have evolved with various spellings over time due to interpretation, regional accents, and transcription errors.

The surname also has a Clan associated with it in Scotland, Clan Macfie, derived from the Gaelic name 'Mac Dubh-shithe' which morphed into MacAfee, McFie, and other similar variants.

Modern interpretations of the surname may also appear as McKillup, McKillop, and McPhillip. Some families dropped the "Mc/Mac" altogether over time, leading to spellings like Kilip or Phillip.

However, it's crucial to note that while these spellings are related, surname origin can be complex and multifaceted, so not everyone with a variation of the McKillip surname will necessarily share the same lineage.

Famous people with the name McKillip

• Patricia A. McKillip: an American fantasy and science fiction author, best known for writing The Riddle-Master trilogy and The Forgotten Beasts of Eld.
• Thomas E. McKillip: an American singer-songwriter and composer, best known for composing the music for the film All Dogs Go to Heaven.
• Jeff McKillip: a former American professional football player, playing as a defensive lineman and linebacker in the National Football League.
• Rosemary McKillip: an American entertainer, best known for being the first Miss America in 1945.
• Piers Anthony McKillip: a Canadian-born American fantasy and science fiction writer, best known for writing the Chrestomanci series which won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1986.
• Jill McKillip: an American actress and screenwriter, best known for appearing in the films Blue Ruin and the Glass Castle.
• Dan McKillip: an American political scientist and professor, best known for his work on the conflict resolution and the role of non-state actors in peacemaking and conflict settlement.
• Jamie McKillip: an American teenage singer-songwriter, best known for her single “This Love” which reached Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2013.
• Sean McKillip: an American former professional motocross racer, best known for racing in the FIM World Motocross Championship series.
• Andrew McKillip: an Australian professional golfer, best known for winning the Australian Open in 2007 and the European Tour in 2008.

Other surnames

McKillop