Surname Killilea - Meaning and Origin
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Killilea: What does the surname Killilea mean?
The last name Killilea is of Irish origin and derived from the Gaelic name Ó Coileáin, which translates to “descendant of Coileáin”. The given name Coileáin, in turn, is believed to have descended from the Irish word "coill", meaning "wood". The name is believed to have originated from coille, which was an ancient Irish word referring to a “clearing in a wood” and hence the origin of the surname Killilea.
Originally, members of this sept were originally known as “Uí Coileáin” and lived in medieval times in the area now known as Counties Clare and Galway. This area of Ireland is known as the Corca Baiscinn, meaning "seed or tribe of the strong wicker basket". After the clan had formed and the surname Killilea had risen, the family moved into County Offaly where they were believed to have resettled during the late 13th century.
The Killileas were originally a noble family, owning tracts of land in the Gráinne Uaithne. This area included much of what is now known as County Clare and County Limerick. The Killilea’s enjoyed great power and influence in the region and were great patrons of the arts, as evidenced by the many churches and castles still standing in their former homelands.
In modern times, the surname Killilea is still found predominantly in the Irish diaspora, especially in nations such as the United States or Australia. Their descendants continue to carry on the proud legacy of their Irish ancestry, while their name still stands as a proud reminder of the long and storied history of this particular sept.
Order DNA origin analysisKillilea: Where does the name Killilea come from?
The Killilea surname is most commonly found in Ireland, where it is derived from the original Irish name Mac an Cheallaigh, meaning "son of the challenging one". It is also found in the US and Canada, having been brought there by Irish immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The highest concentration of the surname is in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. In the US, the Killilea surname is mainly found in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California. The surname is not particularly common in any other part of the world.
The name Killilea is also seen in other variations. Common variants found in the US and Canada include Kelilea, Killela, Killiilya, and Killally. Other variations of the original Irish and American names include MacKilley, McKillila, McCillea, MacElee, and MacCellie.
The Killilea surname is an important part of Irish-American culture, embodying the spirit of Ireland and the determination of Irish immigrants to make a new life for themselves in North America. It is still in use today, bearing testament to the proud heritage of a growing community of Killileas around the world.
Variations of the surname Killilea
The Killilea surname has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. These include Killileagh, Kililee, Killilee, Killelea, Killeigh, Killeleagh, Killely, Killyly, and Kilolee.
Killilea is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin, derived from the personal name "Cill Fhaolacha" which is the Irish word for church or churchyard. The first recorded spelling of the family name was in 1285 when Maoliosa Ua Cilleleathe was recorded in Roinnish Annals.
The surname is principally associated with Counties Sligo and Galway; however, it is also found in other parts of Ireland. The main branch of the family is found on the west coast in O'Dowd Castle, County Sligo. In recent decades, the spelling Killilee has become popular with the descendants of this family.
The surname has also been Anglicized due to various influences over the centuries, and this has given rise to further spelling variations such as Killyly, Killee, and Kililee. The family has also adopted other surnames related to Killilea such as Mac Cool, Mac Cull, Clan Ony and McGoldrick.
The Killilea surname is predominantly found in the Irish diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Although the various spellings have become increasingly rare in the homeland, the name continues to be encountered in Irish communities around the world.
Famous people with the name Killilea
- Declan Killilea: An Irish rugby union player who plays for Exeter Chiefs in Premiership Rugby.
- Mary Killilea: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York, serving from 1971 to 1973.
- Paudie Killilea: An Irish former football player who now manages Limerick Football Club.
- J.P. Killilea: A prize-winning American breed of roses.
- Michael Killilea: An Irish-American public relations executive and the executive director of the Parliament Heights Foundation in Washington D.C.
- Joe Killilea: An American former voice actor and singer and manager of the Theatrical Fantasy Troupe in Baltimore, Maryland.
- James Killilea: An Irish soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
- Tricia Killilea: An American businesswoman and the CEO of Killilea Ventures.
- Patrice Killilea: A philanthropist who has donated millions to causes such as environmental conservation and medical research.
- Kathleen Killilea: An American novelist, poet, and playwright whose works include The Hound of Darkness.