Surname Killikelly - Meaning and Origin
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Killikelly: What does the surname Killikelly mean?
The last name Killikelly is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic O’Coileáin. The prefix 'O' indicates a male descendant of the original bearer of the surname, which was most likely a patronymic derived from the given name Ceallach. This ancient Irish name likely has its root in the Old Irish word ceall (a church or monastery). It is believed that the O'Coileáin clan originated in County Clare, Ireland.
The O'Coileáin clan were harpists and poets, and through their talent, they gained a powerful reputation among the elites of Ireland. As a result, they were granted the hereditary title of Ollamh of Thomond, making them the highest ranking poets in North Munster. The name 'Killikelly' is an anglicization of this title, derived from the Irish for 'one who speaks' (Ollamh), and the patronymic 'a Ceallach'.
Today, Killikelly is still used as a surname in many parts of the world, with its bearers primarily residing in the United States, Canada, and Ireland. It symbolizes the legacy of a great Irish dynasty and a powerful poetic tradition still carried forth by both the Irish diaspora and the people of Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisKillikelly: Where does the name Killikelly come from?
The last name Killikelly is of Irish origin. It is derived from an ancient Irish clan name. The clan name of Killikelly is thought to have originated during the 11th century, near the town of Sligo.
The Killikellys originated from the Uí Fiachrach Linda tribes of County Sligo in Ireland. From here the surname spread throughout Ireland and beyond. Today, the surname Killikelly is most common in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Sligo and Mayo. It is also found in other countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, amongst other countries around the world.
In the United States, the census of 2000 lists Killikelly as the 11,379th most common surname, with approximately 4,000 people having the surname Killikelly. The largest concentrations of Killikellys are located in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
In Canada’s 2016 population estimates, it was the 11,199th most common surname out of a total of 24,000 Canadian families with the surname Killikelly. The largest concentrations of Killikellys are located in Ontario and Alberta.
All in all, the last name Killikelly is most commonly found in Ireland, on both sides of the Irish Sea, and is spreading further throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Killikelly
The surname Killikelly is derived from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh and can be found in alternate spellings including: Kelly, Killykelly, Killey, O’Kelly, Killickill, Killigally, and Caeleigh.
This last name is of Irish origin and its variants are found in several Irish counties, including Dublin, Galway, Cork and Kerry. Records dating back to 1559 show Ó Ceallaigh, or O'Kelly, as a prominent ruling family from the east of Ireland in County Louth.
The Killikelly surname has numerous variants that have evolved over the years in numerous countries, including Canada, Australia and the United States. Some of these variants include Kelley, Keley, Kellee, Celli, Kille, and Caylle.
The anglicised Killikelly surname is frequently encountered in local communities with their roots in Ireland. It is increasingly common to find the spelling variations of Killikelly scattered throughout the world as descendants of Irish immigrants move and settle in other countries.
The name Killikelly is associated with numerous notable personalities including Irish poet Gerard O'Kelly and Irish rugby union player Jordan Kelly. The Killikelly name is also carried by the Killikelly Castle in County Louth, Ireland, first recorded in 1225.
Killikelly is an Irish surname with a proud history. Its prominent place among Irish surnames makes it a popular choice among the descendants of Irish immigrants and has resulted in the emergence of numerous spelling variations and surnames.
Famous people with the name Killikelly
- Meg Killikelly: an Australian actor and musician, best known for her roles in the television series Wentworth and The Code.
- Jimmy Killikelly: Irish Gaelic footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Mayo in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
- Charlotte Killikelly: Irish Women's National Team footballer who played full-back for the team during the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- Zandra Killikelly: Scottish short-distance sprinter, winning individual bronze in the 400 m and silver in the 200 m at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.
- Michael Killikelly: American ice hockey player National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks since 2016.
- Seamus Killikelly: Irish actor who had major roles in multiple films, such as Water for Elephants and Seven Psychopaths.
- Aileen Killikelly: British entrepreneur and businesswoman, founder of the award-winning book retailer "Books for All".
- Con Killikelly: Australian musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with folk band The Basics.
- Tom Killikelly: English professional golfer who has competed for multiple tours within Europe and in Asia.
- Richard Killikelly: Irish National team rugby player who plays as center for Munster under the Irish Head Coach Joe Schmidt.