Surname McKillop - Meaning and Origin

McKillop: What does the surname McKillop mean?

The surname McKillop is of Scottish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic "MacFhilib", which means "son of Philip". The name Philip means "lover of horses". This surname was first seen in Argyllshire, an area in the Scottish Highlands, where they held a family seat from early times. The name, as with many surnames, would have initially served to distinguish individuals by linking them with their father or ancestor. Over time, the MacFhilib changed to MacKillop and then often shortened to McKillop. Variations of the surname McKillop include MacKillop, McKillop, MacGilp, McGilp and others. The McKillop family was part of the Scottish clan MacLaren. Due to social and economic conditions, many Scottish families migrated to North America and other commonwealth countries in the 18th and 19th centuries, making the surname prevalent in these areas today.

McKillop: Where does the name McKillop come from?

The surname McKillop is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Fhilib" which means "son of Philip". This patronymic name originated in the region of Argyll, Scotland. Though the name McKillop spread throughout Scotland over time, a large population of McKillops were particularly prevalent in the Hebrides, specifically on the Isle of Arran.

Today, the name is common in places that have historically had heavy Scottish immigration, such as North America (the United States and Canada), Australia, and New Zealand. Within the UK, the name is still found in Scotland and northern England. However, as with many surnames, modern mobility has spread the McKillop name more globally. Despite this dispersal, the highest concentration of McKillops continues in these countries with historical Scottish connections. McKillop remains a distinctly Scottish name, reflecting the cultural heritage of Scotland.

Variations of the surname McKillop

The surname McKillop is an Anglicization of the Gaelic Mac Fhilib, which means "son of Philip". Variants of this surname often arise due to phonetic spellings from its pronunciation, regional dialect influences, and translations into other languages.

Common variants of McKillop include MacKillop, McKillip, MacKillip, MacKilop, McKilop, MacPhilip, McPhilip, Phillipson, and McFillip. It can also appear as McAllop or McAleap, originating from the Argyll region in Scotland.

The surname has also been spelled without the "Mac" or "Mc" prefixes, resulting in versions like Killop, Kilip, or Philip. The patronymic form, meaning 'son of', might also appear as Phillipson or Filson.

There are also numerous surname variations spelling with single or double 'l' or 'p', like McKilop or McKilip, variously due to regional accents and spelling habits.

Additionally, it's critical to consider that variations of this surname may exist within different languages. For example, in English, it may still retain the "Mac" or "Mc" prefixes, but in Irish or Scottish Gaelic form, it might appear as MacFilib or Mac Pilib.

Famous people with the name McKillop

• John McKillop: Former Canadian professional ice hockey player
• Lisa McKillop: English actress
• Mary McKillop: First Australian saint
• Alistair McKillop: Former footballer
• Steve McKillop: Film director, writer, producer
• Paul McKillop: NFL Players Association Player Representative
• David McKillop: Sound designer
• Graham McKillop: Former professional football player
• Kirsty McKillop: Scottish Gaelic singer
• Matt McKillop: Former professional ice hockey player
• Liam McKillop: Professional Cricketer
• Roger McKillop: Actor
• Richard McKillop: Author and poet
• Marie McKillop: Fashion designer
• Thomas McKillop: CEO of Pfizer
• Andrew McKillop: Football goalkeeper
• Simon McKillop: Sports betting Gaussian expert
• Dean McKillop: Hollywood entertainment attorney
• Ross McKillop: Dancer
• Patrick McKillop: Professional tennis player
• Alexander McKillop: Academic and former Anglican bishop
• Matthew McKillop: Scottish music composer and producer
• Maurice McKillop: American activist
• Shara McKillop: TV presenter and author
• Elizabeth McKillop: Actor and producer

Other surnames

McKillip